Lead...

Gunpowder...

Brass...

Fire...

Point blank...

I guess Benny was right I have a thick skull... unlike him...

He might have stolen the platinum chip but he stole something from me fair more valuable.

Memories...

Still remember fragments like names, places, and faces...

Yet dreams that I have seem... too real to be just dreams...

Like places, I have never seen before.

Almost... pre-war...

I could be going crazy, after that auto doc pulled my brain out a while back he did say I had some form of light brain damage...

Boy was my brain not happy about it either.

Still...

None of that really matters...

Vegas mattered.

A city that was an echo of a time before, almost completely untouched and self-sustaining thanks to hoover damn.

Mr. House was right about one thing, Vegas was a hidden gem within the Mojave with such potential but... one man shouldn't have that much power.

Not even me.

Luckily I wouldn't be missed...

After the NCR took the damn I decided to burn any bridge I had with Vegas and left...

I parted with my companions on good terms.

Boone was back with his team...

Arcade was doing his best to make a difference...

Cass rebuilt her caravan...

Veronica helped the followers with the knowledge she learned from the brotherhood...

Rex was back at Freeside with the king...

Daisy was taking her medicine at half doses back at Jacobstown...

Raul now was his old self again being an unsung hero in the Mojave...

ED-E? I couldn't part with the old boy and he stayed at my side even coming with me to the big empty...

Most people in the Mojave hated me for siding with the NCR so it was time for me to leave...

But I never wanted to leave the wasteland itself...

Fate has a funny way of doing things though...

Spitting me from one desert to another...

This one was a lot bigger.

(Klugetown)

The Stormking was dead...

All eyes were on the magical projection of the equestrian princess of friendship speaking over the magical device, giving a speech over the magical spell sent out to every one of the glowing crystal projectors though out the regions that once was called the storm kingdom.

"To that matter! I hope that one day that all that suffered under the storm king's tyranny would come out and join us here in Equestria! With the power of friendship, we can all come together and-" Twilight's messager was intrupted by the object hurrled at the magical image.

A bottle from a pissed-off drunk threw his bottle of scotch at the magical crystal smashing it into a million pieces.

"PISS OFF YOU DAMN HORSE! YOU RUIN OUR LIVES!" The large catfish face local shouted while others in the pub were just as pissed about what had happened.

Sure the Stormking was a fucking asshole but at least he was the asshole responsible for the revival of the trade lines within the badlands and though out most of the areas that the Stormking ruled. When that happened a lot of jobs popped up in many of the backwater towns that were poor to the point that water and spices were basically gold in the badlands.

When the Stormking died, so did the Storm kingdom AND the trade lines AND almost every job here in this rusted pile of scrap that was called a town.

"THAT'S GOING ON YOUR TAB BISK! THOSE DAMN THINGS AREN'T CHEAP!" The pub owner shouted at the drunk to which the drunk only flipped him off while the owner sighed just as pissed off as many of his customers.

"Hey sorry... can I get a refill?" Turning his head the owner noticed the empty glass of the drifter that walked in, grabbing a bottle of Vodka the bartender poured the clear liquid from the blue glass bottle into the small drinking glass. "Guessing that purple pony is really going to fuck things up around here,"

The large Landshark nodded his head putting down the bottle on the counter before nodding at the stranger's words.

"Yeah, that damn 'princess of friendship' think everything can be solved though love and sharing! BAH! What a child," Spoke the owner.

Moving the glass to the strange helmet that the stranger wore he watched as once again the stranger put the faceplate where a straw sucked up the liquid. The pub owner has seen his fair share of strangers even before the Stormking came in but those back then were weirder and fair more stranger.

"She thinks it's so simple. That all the world is just some lesson in friendship or some other bullshit," The owner ranted while the drifter put his drink down.

"Looks to me like to me she has it easy," This caused the Landshark to turn to him. "Come on it's not that hard not to notice,"

The owner shook his head.

"No-no I agree with you... that Twilight has lived as some student to that bigger bitch Princess Celestia... the goddess of the sun apparently... how much you wanna bet when they come in they are going to start giving a sun tax?" The Bartender asked.

"I would be surprised if they didn't... that while Equestria thing or whatever reminds me of something," Putting his glass down on the table he sighed. "Never again,"

"Paradon my curiosity stranger but what do you mean by that?"

"Let's just say I worked for a group like those ponies... and even after what was said and done a lot of people ended up despising me for it," The stranger swiveled on his stool.

"Eh, you do, what you do, to get by right? I wouldn't blame you,"

"Tell that to all the pissed-off people who probably want to see me burn in hell," Leaning his head back he then lifted it back up.

"When do you think those pony people will be here?" The drifter asked.

The pub owner shrugged.

"With their fancy-ass Airships? Maybe a day or two, three if we're lucky," Throwing a dishtowel over his shoulder the Landshark looked at the stranger again who was petting that weird metal eye thing that came with him into the pub. "Why you ask? Looking to get out of town before they come in?"

"Yeah... this is a nice town but it's always when I come into town something happens," The Stranger sighed before the Landshark shrugged.

"I don't blame you. I'm going to head out myself," The pub owner stated. "I've lived here for nearly ten years stranger... times were hard but when the Stormking came in this shithole was actually livable. Sure there was some shady stuff going on but it wasn't as bad,"

"Where are you going to head off to?" The drifter asked out of curiosity.

"I got family down south... my girl's expecting our first pup," Moving in his stool the Drifter shifted slightly.

"Are you sure she can make that trip?" The Landshark nodded.

"Yeah long as you avoid No-man's land everything is going to be fine,"

The stranger then asked a question that the Landshark wasn't expecting to hear.

"What is No-man's land?"

The pub owner was a bit baffled at what he heard the drifter just say... but then again some of the drifters and tribals have been living out in isolation in the badlands for years so it wasn't all that shocking.

"Just a large area worse than the badlands,"

"How so?"

The Landshark began to think for a moment.

"Well unlike the rest of the badlands it's just this stretch of land flat sand, the sand is said to be thicker somehow to the point where it feels like you standing on solid ground. There is nothing there except for the few dust devils but those are the only company you will get, not a single town or well is there for miles... the solid sand is too thick to dig and the water is deeper than usual," The pub owner explained. "A total dead zone... not even the zebras or anyone else has claimed ownership of no man's land. Just miles upon miles of hot solid stone sand and the blazing sun above your head,"

Placing his glass on the counter the stranger looked at the pub owner.

"Doesn't sound that bad... sounds like a natural road for caravans,"

"That's true but it's so long that you would spend up all your water before you would make it back into the main badlands and to a village for a refill... it's just too far," Pulling a map from behind the bar he placed it on the bar to show the stranger. "Here this might help you understand what I mean,"

The stranger eyed the map while the giant metal eye thing gave a slight beep noise, the paper map had key markers for what the stranger could guess were villages along with many smaller blue markers, and finally the big spot in the middle which the stranger thought was a coffee stain.

But that large 'stain' was no-man's land.

"Alright, you see these blue things?" The pub owner asked to which the Strange nodded. "Good because those are wells and you can see for miles upon miles no-man's land doesn't have a single well within the entire area,"

He then tapped on the big spot labeled the no-mans.

"Caravan's need water to go across the badlands but since no-man's land has not a single well... it usually avoids that is if the caravan is feeling like they can handle it. They don't usually last a mile before running out of water," The pub owner stated before pointing to the other areas. "Even the Cats and Zebras want nothing to do with no-man's land,"

Looking back at the pub owner the stranger reached into his coat before pulling out a small leather bag.

"Thanks for the tip..." Tossing it the owner caught the bag before opening it while the stranger got up. "Hope those are enough for my tab and something extra for the help,"

The Landshark pulled out a solid gold coin with the face of some strange creature on it, he bit down on the coin but back up at the stranger who was out the door.

Flipping the coin in his hand he looked at the tail side seeing another creature that looked like a four-legged minotaur.

'What a strange-stranger,'

*CRASH*

"Oh by the gods! BISK GET OUT OF MY PUB YOU DRUNK ASS MOTHER-!"

(Meanwhile)

"*Curious beeping*" ED-E spoke to the courier while the two left the pub.

"Yeah, I know this entire thing is strange. I wouldn't deny it but since the damn teleporter isn't working I doubt we could find a way back home anytime soon,"

"*Sad beeping*"

"Yeah... we don't really have anyone to go home to... maybe this whole thing could be a blessing in disguise," The courier stated but then saw guard armored bipdel equines march forward, while another of the equines with less armor sat on top of a cart with a smile on her face.

"Citizens of Klugetown! Don't fret we come with good tiding! For you no longer under the cruel fist of the stormking! For this day by the orders of Princess Celestia Klugetown is to be claimed in the name of friendship!"

Pulling the collar of his duster the courier spoke.

"Yeah... not this time... come on ED-E,"

"*Inquisitive beeping*"

"Yep... I'm tired of helping out groups like this: 'Equestria' best we head out where we can be left alone,"

"*More inquisitive beeping*"

"You read my mind bud... to no-man's land," The courier couldn't help but smile behind his gas mask.

"*Joyious beeping*" The eye bot bounced up and down while floating in the air.

"Heh... yeah back on the road again," Courier six told his trusty companion.

(Sometime later)
(Equestria)

"🎵ALLLLLL NIGHT LONG~🎵!" Pinke sang and smiled partying like there is no tomorrow even though the party is long over.

"Come on sugar cube thats enough," Applejack smiled resting an arm on one of the tables while her free hand held a bottle of hard cider.

"How much you wanna bet she had a little too much," Rainbow dash asked on the other side of the table from her friend.

Applejack laughed before turning to Rainbow.

"She hasn't drank anything..." Rainbow blinked before smiling.

"Why am I not surprised," Rainbow chuckled with Applejack.

While most of the elements were relaxing while the castle staff was cleaning up the mess left behind by the party guests, Twilight stood at the edge of the railing overlooking the beautiful view of Equestria.

"I wonder... how many more times must you save me and my sister," Luna asked stepping forward before joining her on the few.

"Luna! Oh, Faust, you scared the bejeezus out of me," Twilight stumbled before Luna held out her hands.

"Sorry, Dearest Twilight I didn't mean to scare you," Luna said while overlooking the vast view of the night-covered lands of Equestria. "I might have not put enough stars in the sky,"

"What?" Twilight looks up before speaking. "I think you put enough stars up there Luna,"

"Well... maybe your right," Luna looked at Twilight who was looking at the star-filled sky, narrowing her eyes slightly Luna then spoke up. "Thought I must ask... does my moon look like a pearl up there dear twilight?"

Confused twilight looked up confused by the princess's wording.

"I guess it does," Confused Twilight looked back at Luna not understanding what she meant.

Luna who had heard quite the story from Queen Novo unsure how to proceed with the newest princess's actions, yes she was trying to save Equestria. But stealing the pearl a magical artifact that belongs to the hippogriffs for countless centuries even dating back before her mother gave birth to Celestia and her.

"Ummm... Luna is everything alright?" Twilight asked confused.

"Yes everything is alright," Luna then stepped away leaving a very confused purple alicorn. 'For now, that is,"

The night princess always knew that this world was different from the one where she was banished from, sure she had her sister to help her adapt to it but still. From the Equestria she knew was one of strength and order with freedom and peace for all, now this one was different. The ponies of this era had grown soft, self-centered, and most of all...

Blind...

Blind to the world around them, thinking that the entire world revolved around them and where it was worst was with the nobles, she remembers their ancestors that were founded in these noble houses. Brave, selfless, and wise Stallions and Mares but now?

Their descendants were none of these...

But from the nobles to the worker's ponies that she once ruled 1,000 years ago grew from loving and helpful people tosoxenophobia and overzealous to 'tradition' that wasn't even around before she became nightmare moon. The most blinded of all was her own sister...

She allowed their kingdom to become what is today, plus the one she choose to be protégé was so misguided...

Was she the one that would replace her sister AND her?

To have the powers of her sister's sun AND her moon?

What then?

She understood the whole 'we can't hold her hand through everything' but having to rely on a Twilight to stop a dark king, a warrior queen, AND two gods by herself? Yes, she had her friend but what if they weren't enough?

What if Celestia was wrong?

What gave her the right idea to gamble everything on a single pony?

The night princess bit her lip, being encased in that dark stone made her quest for her sister's actions, this storm king had grown right from under their noses and invaded Cantorlot along with finding magical relics that could defeat her, her sister, and their niece in a single blow! They would have gotten Twilight too as well.

Along with that, Tempest Shadow was a prime example of one of the reasons why Equestrian is failing, this pony was like ponies that were under her night legion before Night moon. A skilled warrior yes, but something did bug her, the fact that the reason that she became the way she did was because of the spoiled nature of ponies.

Who would disown their own child because she was scared by an Ursa major? Casting her aside their own flesh and blood because of an injury and everypony else shunning her, then learning years later that her parents had given birth to a new child with the same birth name as her.

She sighed... knowing that she had to do something.

Then Luna felt a dark part of her mind crawl out.

'We can't ingore the facts,'

She went wide-eyed for a moment feeling her 'other' linger in the back of her mind, but then held her head and nodded.

'Yes... this is something we must address... but the right way,'

Feeling her other agree with her Luna felt her alter-ego linger awhile longer.

'If not?'

'Then we act directly... only as a final resort,'

(No-man's land?)

"-Alerted beeping-"

"Here?" Courier six asked to which the enclave eye-bot gave a confirming beep. "Alright, here we go,"

Placing down the large device on the spot of solid sand the courier flipped a switch while four support legs were fired into the hard thick sand before it lifted up off the ground slightly. Then lighting the night sky over the pip-boy light came a bright green beam of focused energy beginning to cut down into the surface of sand down to the water vein deep below the surface of no-man's land.

"To new beginnings," The courier stated before summoning his sleeping bang and stuff to step up camp for the night.

Even with all the mutations and implants he had, the courier did need sleep like everyone else, his mechanical buddy buzzed right over to help him set up camp while the laser drill did its job.

Author's Note

Well back to fallout...

Not a full replacement for red guardian but from Noble six to Courier six I give you this.

A story where the courier is honestly wanting to be left alone, stay out of trouble, and not get involved.

But if you have planned Fallout New Vegas that is impossible for people like Six.

So, what else?

Yeah, if you guys couldn't tell I gave Luna a bit of a eye opener similar to that of a blue giant from another series. I always picture a dark backstory for Tempest since we never got a full one too.

Besides that I put in ED-E in this story too! Because everyone loves that little floating cute robot.

Also two people gave me inspiration of this, one of them just got back from deployment which I'm glad to see my boy back in the states.

So yeah...

Hoped you enjoyed and till the next one...

Also 3,000+ words baby!