The more we walked southward the more I noticed that the once lush and vibrant terrain was nothing more than a barren landscape filled with dead trees as far as the eye could see. Nonetheless we traversed on, and once again I was given a solemn reminder of what once thrived here. We occasionally stumbled upon decayed motorwagons, upon searching them yielded little result.

We trekked on in uneventful silence. That was until we started hearing the crackle of gunshots in the distance. We made the decision to gallop closer to the distant gunshots. It didn’t take us long to reach the origin point of the gunshots which led us to a two story farmhouse. We took cover behind a rock as shots rang out.

I cautiously peeked my head out and I spotted a group of about five or six ponies, they were evenly split with three unicorns and three earth ponies all wearing spiked barding and a matching set of spiked helmets. All in all their armor looked nothing more than sports equipment with spikes… lots of spikes. I craned my head to look at the farmhouse and I spotted four ponies, three earth ponies and one unicorn. Two of them were visible through the windows, one on the second floor and the other on the first. Another pony stood by the front porch, while the fourth a unicorn was on the ground clutching at their side in obvious pain..

“WE WON’T PAY YOU, YOUR TRIBUTE!” Yelled one of the ponies inside the farmhouse.

“Hehehe, hahahah, then we’ll kill you and take it from your hooves.” Was the response from one of the spiked wearing ponies.

I retreated my head behind the wall and relayed what I saw to both Cherry and Orange, to which Orange had informed me that the spiked wearing ponies are raiders though she’s unsure which gang they’re from as spiked barding is common among raiders.

I telekinetically lifted my RK-30 rifle and swiftly inspected the magazine, confirming its capacity of twenty-three rounds. Meanwhile, Cherry and Orange readied their own weapons. As I glanced back outside, my eyes locked onto the raiders who had advanced closer to the farmhouse. Simultaneously, the two ponies who were initially on the front porch hastily retreated indoors, leaving behind a trail of blood that marked their path. I turned to look back at Cherry and Orange, they looked back at me, with Orange sporting a determined expression, while Cherry on the other hoof had a deranged smile. I raised a hoof to signal the other two to open fire.

Cherry wasted no time as she got out of cover and opened fire on the raiders, which had caught them in surprise. While Orange stood up on her hind legs grabbing her pipe rifle and began firing at the raiders over the protective barrier of the rock.

Carefully poking my head out from behind the protective cover of the rock, I gripped my rifle firmly with my magical grasp, lining up the sights on one of the raiders in my field of vision. I fired.

Bang, Bang!

I Fired two shots and I saw the raider that was lined up in my sight fall. Two more fell from the combined fire of Cherry’s and Orange’s guns. I forced myself back into cover as the raiders recovered and scrambled to find and began firing back at us. It was clear that their attention was split into either focusing on us or those inside the farmhouse.

As the firefight drew out, I spotted a raider lobbing a grenade towards Cherry, who remained oblivious to the impending danger. Reacting swiftly, I abandoned my rifle and summoned a protective barrier around her. The grenade detonated with a deafening blast..

I let out a sigh of relief when the smoke cleared and I witnessed the impromptu barrier had successfully shielded her from the explosion, seeing the olive-green barrier shone bright. I caught the look of surprise on Cherry's face as she realized she had narrowly escaped from. The barrier soon dissipated and Cherry galloped back behind the rock.

Orange quickly slid back into cover, her back pressed against the rock, still tightly gripping the pipe rifle in her forehooves. As I observed her weapon more closely, I noticed that the pipe rifle had an open-hoofed trigger, which was a detail that I failed to notice when I was inspecting it first.

“Whoa Cherry that was close.” Orange exclaimed, “If Starry hadn’t acted quickly with that barrier and you would’ve been pasted on the ground.”

“I guess I had too much fun shooting.” Cherry laughed, “Otherwise I'd've caught that grenade and chucked it back.”

I turned to Cherry and spoke sternly, "Cherry, please pay more attention to your surroundings. Casting and maintaining that barrier took a tremendous amount of energy from me as it absorbed the explosion. We need to stay focused and keep each other safe."

Cherry flashed me a wide grin and said. “Yeah you're right. Though this won’t happen again, that I promise”

I nodded firmly. “Well I hoped that you learned a lesson in not jumping out of cover and begin wildly shooting at anything in front of you.”

Cherry nodded and cautiously peeked out to check on the raiders position. She sported a triumphant grin when she spotted the raiders retreating. “Hah! Bastards ran away.” Cherry declared.

Levitating my rifle, I cautiously poked my head out to confirm the veracity of Cherry's claim. True enough, the raiders had retreated, leaving behind an eerie silence. However, my instincts warned me that they might return in the future. Setting aside those thoughts for the moment, we met up with the ponies who were holed up inside the farmhouse.

When we got inside of what looked to be the main dining area we were greeted by a gray coated earth pony stallion wearing a patched-up, pre-war farmhoof barding, and a sun hat with a pair of goggles wrapped around it adorned his head.

"Whoo wee, I didn't think we'd make it if it wasn't for you three showing up just in time." The worn-out, dark gray earth pony stallion continued "Anyway, the name's Coco Specter, but my friends call me Coco. Though it's been quiet since they left, we shouldn't get complacent. Raiders, in general, have a way of coming back sooner or later. Especially now with Scarlet's gang lurking around, they'll be after their 'tribute'. So, we better prepare while we still have the chance. It’s already hard enough trying to grow anything with what little sunlight that manages to pierce through the cloud barrier, it's even harder when raiders come in and take things."

I nodded, and said “Well we were just walking and we heard gunshots, so we decided to investigate and glad we made the right decision. Anyway my name is Starry Skies and-” I pointed toward Cherry and Orange “-these are my companions Cherry Splinter and Orange Bright.” Orange smiled and waved, while Cherry shrugged.

Coco smiled, “Heh nice to meet you Starry, Cherry, and Orange.” Then the stallion frowned, “I wish we could offer more but as you can see we're in deep shit right now.”

Orange stepped forward “We’ll stay and help. If it's ok with you guys?” Orange said, turning towards me and Cherry looking for confirmation.

Cherry smirked, while I simply nodded. Cherry smiled and turned back to Coco “We’re staying and help defend.”

Coco beamed at us. “That’s great, talk to Davy upstairs, he’ll fill you in on what needs to be done and which areas of the farmhouse that need some shoring up. I gotta stay here and tend to Azure’s wounds. She’s the unicorn over there.” Coco finished pointing at a periwinkle-coated mare with a short yellow-green mane and tail who was wrapped up in bloodied bandages laying on the floor.

Orange nodded in agreement and ascended the worn wooden staircase positioned to the left of the farmhouse's front entrance. Cherry and I followed right behind her.

As we ascended up the stairs we were met with a hallway with two doors on each side and a door at the end. Orange opened the door on the left and entered, Cherry and I not far behind. When we entered inside we were greeted by a quaint bedroom, a wooden bed and a night stand situated on the far left, across from the bed is a wardrobe.

At the very end of the bedroom sat a cream-coated earth pony stallion with a short blue mane wearing a utility barding, an open-hoofed trigger hunting rifle lay by his side within hoof’s reach. He is focused on observing the open window. Presumably the stallion is Davy, the one Coco told us to meet. We approached him.

Upon hearing our hoof-steps his ears perked up and he craned his head to meet us. He gave a small nod and spoke. “Glad you're on our side.” He paused, “So what can I do for you?”

“I’m Starry Skies, and this Cherry Splinter and Orange Bright, Coco said you have some ideas on where we could help.” I explained, “Is there any particular area that needs patching?”

Davy nodded, and explained “Well I'm sure Coco already told you who I am, but I’m gonna introduce myself anyways. My name’s Davy, just Davy and yes we would certainly appreciate it if two of you help cover the first floor and one of you cover the back entrance.”

Orange's voice rang out confidently, her determined gaze fixed on the task at hoof. "Cherry and I will fortify the defenses on the first floor, ensuring no unwanted guests get past us." Her sturdy frame and unwavering stance conveyed her readiness to defend the farmstead. Turning to me she continued, “Starry you will cover the back entrance and ensure that nopony sneaks by.”

Nodding in acknowledgement, I replied. “Right, I’ll keep a watchful eye for anycreature that tries to catch us by surprise.”

Before we left Davy spoke up addressing Cherry and Orange. “Oh and before I forget, I noticed that both of your guns are… let's just say… Oh forget it I won’t beat around the bush, your guns are awful pipe rifles that look like they’ll explode any moment, here I got something to replace it.” He stood up walking over to the wardrobe and opening it and took something out of it.

He turned around facing us, in one of his forehooves, revealing a custom made open-hoofed bolt action rifle in pristine condition, the stock being carved from maple timber, the metalwork of the rifle is polished to a point where I could see my reflection and is adorned with engravings of floral patterns and celestial symbols even extending to the barrel ending with a lightning bolt, on the stock right above the hoof trigger is a small emblem of a thundercloud with a lightning bolt.

Walking over to Orange he hoofs the rifle to her, “I give this rifle to you, her name is Thunderhoof take care of her and She’ll take care of you, It's my dad’s old gun.”

Orange was taken by surprise. “I can’t this, I ca-”

“Nonsense, take it. I know my dad would’ve been happy knowing that his gun is seeing action instead of gathering dust inside of a wardrobe, even if I clean and polish it from time to time. Besides I ain’t ever used it since I got my trusty hunting rifle with me.” Coco said smiling, “And the best part is that the bolt mechanism is compatible with any battle saddle including yours.”

Orange paused briefly, contemplating her decision. Eventually, she unfastened her trusty pipe rifle, carefully stowing it away in her saddlebags. She affixed Thunderhoof to her battle saddle, securing it firmly in place. "I appreciate this. I'll make sure to honor it," she expressed with gratitude.

“Hey it's no problem, You can find ammunition in the basement for Thunderhoof, look for .270 rounds, ask Coco for help if you need it.” Davy replied, before turning to Cherry, “I haven’t forgotten about you, for I have something that suits you, come follow me.”

Davy walked out with Cherry following behind leaving both Orange and I alone in the room. “I better go and watch the back entrance, good luck.” I said toward Orange who nodded in acknowledgement and I Walked out of the bedroom.

I walked through the kitchen and stepped outside, the sun's feeble rays barely reaching the barren landscape, I took a moment to survey my surroundings. It was difficult to discern the time of day, as the overcast sky obscured any clear indication. To my astonishment, I noticed a mere hooful of corn plants struggling to grow in the limited sunlight that managed to pierce through the cloud cover.

Another thing I noticed was a dirty newspaper clipping laying on the ground not too far from me. I levitated it towards me so I could get a better look at the contents. When the newspaper clipping levitated close enough for me to read, the words had faded out due to age and being exposed to the elements but I could still make out the words on the front page, if barely. It read.

Seaddle Gazette

Colthaginians attacked in Vanhoover!

Zalathel Zarca Outraged!

-Vili Peltola
4/16/1031

Yesterday, at approximately eight in the morning, what should have been a peaceful day for shop owner Hanno Eshumnazar took a violent turn when a crowd of ponies gathered, chanting derogatory remarks such as "death to zebras" and "zebrican spy," among other hateful slogans. Within a span of two hours, the situation escalated as the crowd proceeded to vandalize Hanno's shop, forcing the Colthaginian shoppers to defend themselves. The clash resulted in ten injuries on both sides.

Hanno expressed his frustration, stating, "I constantly remind the ponies here that I am not a Zebrican but a Colthaginian. Yes, I may be a zebra, but I come from Colthage, not the Zebrican Empire. Why is it so difficult for them to understand the difference?" The Colthaginian ambassador held a press conference, voicing disappointment with Princess Luna for her lack of action in preventing such an unfortunate incident. Zalathel Zarca, President of the Colthaginian Republic, commented on the matter, saying, "They say Equestria is a beacon of harmony and tolerance, yet I have seen none of that today."

The Seaddle Gazette reached out to Princess Luna for a statement, but as of now, no response has been received… the rest had become faded and unreadable.

I remembered this unfortunate incident when the Colthaginians faced an unprovoked attack. It was all everycreature talked about for days. Even during the Queen's Council meeting, the incident couldn't be ignored. I must admit, I expected Zarca to tear up the Equestrian-Colthage Cooperative Agreement in a fit of anger. However, to my surprise, he displayed remarkable restraint. Though tensions flared, the agreement remained intact, albeit strained. This event undoubtedly caused a significant diplomatic rift between Equestria and Colthage. This was but one of the many xenophobic incidents in wartime Equestria.

I dropped the newspaper watching as it gently glided down towards the ground before I resumed my so far uneventful observation of the landscape. That was until I heard movement to my left, and I jumped into action and quickly unsheathed my saber with telekinesis just in time to parry a strike from an earth pony stallion wearing spiked armor and holding a cleaver in his mouth.

Taking a couple of steps back and I tried to analyse my opponent. Keyword tried, as I wasn’t given any opportunities to do so as the stallion lunged at me, barely grazing the leather barding on my left side as I leapt out of the way. He turned towards me glaring at me with his bloodshot red eyes, and before he could do anything I slashed him across the chest leaving a long gash across his chest, but to my horror he wasn't phased by the bleeding wound and simply ignored it. Instead his glare intensified and he began charging at me with renewed vigor.

The stallion propelled himself high up into the air. In response, I swiftly launched my saber towards him, its sharp blade aimed directly at his airborne form, intent on piercing through his head and ending the confrontation. The stallion's eyes widened in a mix of shock and terror as he realized the imminent danger. With a futile attempt to evade my blade, he twisted his body, desperately trying to change his trajectory. However, it was too late. The razor-sharp saber found its mark, piercing through his spiked helmet and penetrating his skull. A sickening thud echoed through the air as his lifeless body collided with the ground making a loud splat as it landed, the impact leaving a gruesome scene in its wake.

Walking over to the lifeless corpse, removing my saber and cleaning it of any blood and brain matter before sheathing it. I levitated my RK-30 rifle close by. As I began to recover from this melee I heard a loud bang and a body dropping to my right, craning my head to the right. I spotted the body of an earth pony mare on the ground with a bullet hole in her head and a hatchet close by.

I Looked up at the farmhouse and I saw Orange looking out from a window wielding Thunderhoof in her hooves. She lowered Thunderhoof and waved her right hoof at me, I waved back. Orange turned to look at something behind before turning back to me.

"Starry, get inside! The raiders attacked earlier than expected, and more will arrive," Orange exclaimed. "Heh, Seems like Scarlet couldn't resist getting her hooves on the few corn growing here."

Nodding my head, I asked “What's the situation?”

“Well there's a large number of raiders outside, about fifteen to twenty, but don’t apparently Cherry told me that she has a plan cooked up.” Orange replied, “Guess we’ll just have to wait for her to execute whatever it is, anyway see you inside.”

“Yeah same, here.” I said.

After our brief conversation, Orange vanished into the room, and I made my way back inside the farmhouse, finding myself in the familiar surroundings of the kitchen. I was filled with tense and uncertainty. I couldn't help but wonder about our chances of survival in the imminent battle. However, we just might make it through, even if the odds are slim. Only time would tell.

Author's Note

I am back and this time bringing you chapter 8. Hope you enjoy,

I noticed when writing this that it was over 2k words, and I guess this was one of those chapters I enjoyed writing (not saying I didn't enjoy writing the previous chapters.) and another zebra nation makes an appearance, one from EaW.

Also if I were to categorize the HoI4 EaW ideologies for the Olenian Hives and Zebrican Empire.

I would place Olenian Hives as Non-Aligned Military Government, with the Queen's Council being head of the government and each individual queen has her own military, in other words each queen is general in a sense.

And for the Zebrican Empire, based on what I know about Fallout: Equestria lore I would put them as Supremacist Authoritarian Theocracy or maybe Ultranationalism.