Fallout: Equestria - Operation Killjoy

“And I saw the most beautiful constellation.”

Six months have passed since the Battle of Smokey Mountains. Everlast’s army dissolved quickly after they heard of his death and the loss of the Mandate. The Enclave hasn't returned since. The destruction of a valuable Raptor alongside multiple cloudships was enough to keep them to their own affairs.

Midnight finished his work on the terminals in the Overmare’s office of Stable Fifty-Four. He was sure that this time he had gotten rid of all the software Stable-Tec intentionally installed to make the Stable fail again and again. It was a mystery to him why Stable-Tec had done that, but he accepted that the wasteland was filled with secrets. After everything, he would be glad if they remained undiscovered.

He headed outside and passed the two Steel Ranger recruits who were guarding the Stable’s entrance. The Rangers were willing to help in chasing away the few disorganized remnants of Everlast’s army. Their firepower was a welcome addition to the Stable’s security and their technical expertise helped them to run the Stable at full capacity.

When Midnight stepped out into the cold snow, he wrapped his scarves around his head. His journey left his face disfigured and the younger ponies felt more comfortable around him if they only saw his eyes.

A snowball hit Midnight’s head.

“Gotcha!” Key enjoyed the winter maybe a bit too much. No matter how often it snowed she could never stop starting a snowball fight.

“I told you to stop! You are not a child anymore!” Fade said, appearing from nowhere to pick up some snow and hurl it at her sister. Key was laughing. With her magic she had a big advantage over Fade. They had a short battle before Fade gave up.

Even some simple fun in the snow was too much for her body to keep up with. The disease and the radiation caused an untreatable injury to her lungs. What ultimately saved her was trading the Mandate with Tomcat who organized everything necessary to keep her alive.

Midnight continued his stroll to the barricades. He climbed the tower at the entrance and joined his brother who was on guard duty. Thunderbolt examined the memory orb. Every new memory he uncovered showed how much Midnight was manipulated by Blue Sky. In the same way it helped him understand how much the wartime propaganda manipulated him as well. The past couldn’t be erased but he was willing to give what was left of his family another chance.

“Anything?” Midnight asked.

“No. It’s calm. And a bit too cold for spring.”

“Funny you say that after growing up in Stalliongrad.”

They laughed but Thunderbolt sighed and frowned.

“You okay?” Midnight asked.

Thunderbolt looked at the foggy and cold wasteland.

“I guess. It’s… Sometimes I wish the war would come back.”

“Why’s that?”

“Wars… wars end. But this?” He was motioning to the wasteland. “This will never end. This will never heal.”

Midnight sighed and he looked back at the Stable village. Fade and Key were chatting with Shibboleth. The door to the canteen opened and Feather stepped out. She had brought them hot drinks. Fade took a cup but could only frown. She wasn’t able to smile when Feather was around.

But they were together. And he was together with his brother.

Midnight looked back out towards the wasteland.

“It will heal,” he said. “It will.”