Fallout: Equestria - Operation Killjoy

“The moment you and your opponent start to exchange pieces all you can do is wait and see if there is anything left to work with. At the end we exchanged cities.”

Midnight’s search for Feather became more and more frantic. He had to stay hidden. The Rangers would not be able to recognize him and would think he was one of Everlast’s ponies or the Enclave if they saw his wings.

The red glow of the burning forest was spreading faster. Thick smoke was drifting from the north and pushed Everlast’s troops south, the same direction Midnight also traveled. Without any trace of Feather, all he could hope for was to be faster than her. The wind carried the embers, the ash and the heat to him. It wouldn’t be long before the Steel Rangers and Everlast had to put their priorities on escaping the flames.

The fire would drive Everlast’s soldiers ever closer to the dragon’s lair. Even if they needed hours to climb the mountain, their sheer numbers would overwhelm the dragon with ease. The fact that Everlast knew Key’s position was only one more reason for him to lead his troops up the mountain.

Midnight had to warn them. He wasn’t sure if he should risk a flight. The battle between the Rangers and the Enclave died down after the massive cloudship was destroyed. He hadn’t seen any other Vertibucks or any pegasi since. Maybe the Rangers were able to fight them off for good.

But with Everlast approaching the mountain, there was no time. Midnight spread his ragged wings. He hated flying. It would never give him the same satisfaction as it had when he was alive. His wing beats were slow and he didn’t gain much height until his wings caught upon the winds from the fire.

Flapping and sailing in the updrafts he made his way up the mountain. The smoke rose so high it blocked out the setting sun at times. The growing shadows would soon turn the forest into a red hellscape.

Minutes later he found their Vertibuck. An idea struck Midnight. He rushed to the vehicle and galloped inside. He remembered that Feather left in a hurry. If he was lucky, maybe one of the balefire eggs was still around. Emptying one of his saddlebags, one of the twisted gems fell to the floor.

He grabbed it and pushed it into his vest. Maybe it will help him with Everlast’s soldiers. He had no idea how, but at least he had an option. He didn’t waste much more time in the Vertibuck and ran the remaining distance up to the cave.

When he finally arrived, Shibboleth had her equipment set up at the cave’s entrance. The dragon was not very far away and guarded the cave together with Key.

“Everlast is about to climb the mountain.” Midnight began to explain, his voice weak. “I can’t say exactly how many but… it looks like dozens of his ponies are still alive.”

He turned to Shibboleth. The words he had to say weighed heavy on his mind. “I… We have to take Key out of here.”

“No. She is safe up here,” Shibboleth said.

“Yes, but the Rangers are retreating. They won’t help us defeat his army.”

Shibboleth shook her head, unable to accept what needed to be done.

“I found one of the balefire eggs,” Midnight said. “If we can lure Everlast’s soldiers into a trap—”

“You won’t use my daughter as a lure.”

“Mom.” Key spoke up. “What if there is really no other way?”

Shibboleth turned her anger to the dragon. “What is so damn important, that your cave has to stay secret?”

“Mom, please. It’s not about you and me anymore. We promised him!”

Shibboleth’s voice quivered. “I know dear, but I don’t want to lose you too.” She grabbed her daughter into a tight embrace.

“Shibboleth,” Midnight said. “Feather is likely on the way here. She is injured and weak. Everlast’s ponies are tired by now, but if they reach Feather, she may team up with them. We can’t risk this. We must divert them away from here.”

“But how do you want to get us past them? There is only one way down this mountain.”

“The updrift is very strong. I think I can fly her down.”

Shibboleth hugged her daughter, her eyes closed and her body tense. She sighed. “You know what Fade said all the time?”

“Remember to use S.A.T.S.”

Shibboleth nodded. “Okay… I will stay here and try to stop Feather. Midnight… Please take good care of my daughter.”

“I will.” Midnight turned to the dragon. “You… mentioned a cabin. Where is it?”

“A quarter mile away. From the entrance a bit to the right. You may be able to see it from above.”

“Thank you. Good luck.”

Key climbed on Midnight’s back. The weight was strenuous for his body.

“This won’t be an easy ride down.” Midnight said and a moment later he jumped.

Both were falling through the cloud cover. Key held tight and was more scared of the fall than Midnight’s damaged and rotten body. Their fall lasted for seconds before the wind caught them and let them slow down. Not much later the burning winds were whipping against Midnight’s and Key’s face. His tattered wings were capturing less air than he thought and their descent was fast. Midnight couldn’t tell if Everlast’s troops were changing direction. He was too focused on finding the cabin. The fire was spreading rapidly. Some of the flames flickered in a wide array of colors where the Enclave’s plasma weapons struck the ground.

He found the cabin but the flames were very close and so were Everlast’s soldiers. Midnight descended faster and faster. The cabin was his only chance to lure them into a trap.

His landing was rough and both rolled over the floor, whirling up a cloud of ash. Key coughed but still tried to help Midnight to get up. They hurried through the forest, the red glow not far away and the heat was already unbearable.

When they reached the cabin Midnight broke the door open and looked around. It was in disrepair. The wooden floor was creaking with each step and there was the pungent smell of mold.

“Key, see if you can find anything to wrap around your muzzle.”

They both rummaged through the cupboards of an old kitchen and bedroom. The cabin didn’t even have a proper bath. From the kitchen Midnight noticed movement between the trees. In front of the red haze, ponies were approaching the cabin. He noticed the wide selection of weapons held and levitated and the irregular shapes of their uniforms. Behind he saw the towering shapes of diamond dogs.

“Key… Run.”

The wind was carrying Fade upwards. She was constantly looking at the tracker. Feather was climbing up the mountain but hadn’t progressed very far. A deep fear was pushing away the euphoria of the drug.

Fade landed on a plateau. The tracker told her she was only thirty feet above Feather. Fade stood close to the rock, hidden in the darkness caused by the smoke and the setting sun.

“It would be easy.” Fade thought to herself. “A swift strike and another dose could make her forget that she had to kill…” She hated the thought. She hated that she couldn’t tell if that was her own thought or caused by the drugs.

Feather was slowly climbing up the mountain. Her broken wing hung at her side, the rifle on the other and the balefire launcher tied on her back. Her entire body was covered in ash and dust.

Fade drew her knife and held the blade low. The Ripper would cut easily through the skull and into her brain. Feather wouldn’t feel any pain. Fade stepped out of the shadow. The gravel crunched under her armored hooves. Feather stopped and looked up. Slowly, Fade took the helmet off. She didn’t want to be a Shadowbolt like her father. She couldn’t be one. Not now.

Feather’s eyes were tired and empty. Ash was falling like snow between them, covering the ground in a thin, gray blanket. Explosions and gunshots were distant and irrelevant. The Enclave, Steel Rangers, Everlast; Everything was forgotten.

Feather activated her rifle. The tip glowed and buzzed. Fade knew that Feather would require a full charge to pierce through the armor. She, in return, activated the magic blade of her knife. She only needed to rush forward. One or two feet to the right and Feather would miss the shot. Striking with the knife would be easy, carried by the momentum of her movement.

Fade gripped the handle of the knife tighter. She felt her jaw tensing up, anticipating, waiting… hesitating. Fade looked at the gently glowing blade. Her jaw relaxed and Fade threw the knife away. That was not her. She would not follow that path.

The buzzing and crackling noise of Feather’s rifle didn’t die down. With heavy steps, Feather moved forward, one step at a time, wariness in her eyes. When she tried to move past her daughter, Fade stood in her way. Feather turned and tried again, only to find Fade blocking her path again.

“Go away,” Feather said quietly.

But Fade blocked a third attempt.

“Go away.” Feather’s voice tensed up.

Fade didn’t move.

“Go away!” Feather shouted and tried to push her daughter away. Her weak legs were no match for Fade’s armor. Feather pushed all her weight against her, shouting and yelling again to go away. In her frustration Feather hit Fade’s cheek. It barely hurt, but Fade could no longer bear her stoic expression.

“Go away!” Feather hit her daughter again. A third time. Four. Each hit was weaker but more tearful than the last.

“Go away…” Feather’s voice broke into sobs.

She collapsed, her head against Fade’s chest. Fade couldn’t hold back her tears at the sight of her broken and exhausted mother. She wailed. Years of hope and grief. A life, ruined by a few in power, could only be expressed in tears.

Fade, as much as she wanted to, couldn’t comfort her mother. She stood there, helpless, unable to express any feeling. Only the harsh wind of the inferno below was whispering.

Eventually Feather took the launcher and gave it to Fade, followed by the holodisk. Fade strapped the weapon on her back and secured Killjoy in her armor. There was nothing to be said. Fade turned around, spread her wings and flew away.