Nitebeat and Starpetals stepped out of the Twilight Research and Development Complex, greeted by a desolate wasteland. The air was heavy with an eerie silence, broken only by the distant howls of mutated creatures and the occasional gust of wind carrying the remnants of a forgotten world.

As they surveyed their surroundings, Nitebeat couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity. The ruins of buildings stood as grim reminders of a once-thriving city, now reduced to rubble and decay. Signs of a violent past were etched into the walls, with faded graffiti and bullet holes marking the remnants of a society torn apart.

"This place... it feels hauntingly familiar," Nitebeat whispered, her voice barely audible against the desolation. "But I can't quite place why."

Starpetals looked at her with a mixture of confusion. "It's probably due to you having been created before the bombs fell, Nitebeat. Now… I am sure you can survive from here without me, correct?”

Nitebeat nodded, pushing aside her inner turmoil and embracing the present.

"Whatever happened here, i can't let it consume me. Nitebeat mumbled. “Wait. What? Your leaving?” she asked as she snapped back to reality.

“Noooo… I'm gonna stay in this exact spot. If course I'm leaving! I got what I needed. Your help was appreciated, but I prefer to work alone. Plus I helped you get out. So consider yourself lucky that I did leave you to die.” Starpetals responded.

“But I barely know where to go! Or anything about here!”

“Not my concern.”

Nitebeat looks at her and gives her the puppy dog face. “Please let me come with you.” She said.

Starpetals sighed. “Fine. But don't get in my way.”

Nitebeat nodded.

“So where are we headed?”

“Riot City.”

Nitebeat nodded. Not bothered by the name. She decided she should just go with the flow. Clearly starpetals knew what to do… right?

Together, they walked through the broken streets, carefully avoiding pockets of radiation and the dangers lurking in the shadows. The city, once known as Riot City, had earned its name in the aftermath of a violent uprising against the oppressive regime that had ruled with an iron hoof. But even if it was in ruin, that didn't mean there wasn't anything worth salvaging… or business to do.

As they ventured deeper into the heart of the city, signs of recent activity became apparent. Scattered ammunition, makeshift barricades, and faint echoes of distant voices hinted at the presence of survivors. Nitebeat and Starpetals cautiously approached a group of ponies gathered in what seemed to be a makeshift camp.

The ponies, a diverse group of individuals from different walks of life, eyed Nitebeat and Starpetals with a mix of curiosity and wariness. A rugged stallion with a scarred face stepped forward, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and skepticism.

"Who are you?" he asked Nitebeat, his voice gruff yet tinged with a glimmer of distain. "And what brings you to Riot City?"

Starpetals took a deep breath, swallowing her annoyance. "This is Nitebeat, she's with me. Is that fine with you?”

The stallion's gaze softened, recognizing that messing with starpetals was never a good idea. "Very well. But If she makes one wrong move… it's the pitt for her. We've endured too many hardships and betrayal, and we won't let just anyone waltz in. So consider this your only warning petals."

Starpetals nodded, unfazed by the stallions aggressiveness. "We understand. Now if you'll excuse us, we have business to attend to."

As they walked, starpetals told Nitebeat about the daily struggles of Riot City. She talked about the remnants of the oppressive regime that had ruled with an iron hoof, the corrupt officials who had exploited the city's resources, and the brave ponies who had fought for freedom and paid the ultimate price. As well as about how They organized supply runs, offered medical aid, and fostered a sense of unity among the ponies who had lost so much.

“...At least that's what we used to do…” Starpetals said. Clearly pissed of what happened to riot city. “Then came the brotherhood… they charged in, killed the council of this town and raided all our tech. Now we just fight to survive and help with supply runs just to make meats end. Damn Steel rangers and their ideals. I hate em…” Stopping in front of a abandoned warehouse, it's windows boarded up, starpetals gestured to the door. “Here we are! This is where my affiliate is to meet with me. And he's not really fond of… your kind. So… why don't you just stay here and… uh… guard.”

“Out here?!? Alone?!?!”

“Mhm. Got a problem with that?”

“YES! I-”

“Good. Then you Stay here and guard while I meet with my affiliate. It will only take a moment.” Starpetals said, cutting off Nitebeat. Nitebeat lowered her ears in irritation but obeyed, not wanting to be on the business end of starpetals' anger. As starpetals entered, nitebeat turned and sat, activating her Ponybot claws and fiddled with them, waiting patiently. Suddenly Nitebeat heard a can get knocked towards her from an alleyway. Alerted by the noise Nitebeat jumped startled and turned towards the noise. Standing in the alleyway was a stallion wearing a black cloak with red trimmings. The only thing noticeable was his fiery orange eyes and black snout.

“Can I help you alicorn?” The stallion asked, his accent sounding thick and forhen. The tone he used causing shivers to run down Nitebeats spine. Nitebeat just stood there, saying nothing.

“Answer me beast!” The strange stallion demanded, getting closer to Nitebeat. Nitebeat slowly grinned, as her wings rose, weapons popping out from under them, ready to fight. The sight of her popping out weapons intrigued the stallion however, his eyes widening in delight.

“Certainly, Names Nitebeat. And you are?” Nitebeat replied, trying to annoy the stallion so he'd go away.

“My name is not your concern. However… what you are is.” The stallion said as he whipped out a crossbow from under his cloak. “Now we can either do this the easy way… or the way I prefer, the hard way… choice is yours.”

Nitebeat laughed. “Funny. Though either option will end badly for you either way.”

“I think not. After all… you are our property.” Said a voice from behind Nitebeat. Turning, Nitebeat stood face to face with a metal cladded mare, her entire body seemingly encased in a thick silver suit with blacked out visors. “You've been emitting a high-frequency signal to the steel rangers scanners alicorn. And that means that your a steel ranger property. Tell me, how did youend up out here?”

Nitebeat just stood there, puzzled. “I ain't anyone's property.”

“That's not what the scanners stated, beast.” Said the hooded stallion.

“Ya know what? Enough of this… I am not coming with you and I am most definitely not your property…” Nitebeat retorted, now irritated. Nitebeat whipped out her ponybot claws and crouched, ready to battle. But before she could do anything, a jolt shot through her, knocking her to the ground, paralyzed as starpetals stepped from beyond Nitebeat's view.

“Good work with this one, starpetals. Here is your pay.” Said the steel ranger, handing petals a bag of coins. The last thing Nitebeat seeing before blacking out was starpetals greedy grin.

Tricked she thought as everything went black.

Author's Note

Achievement Unlocked: Feisty Feud