It was the next day, and the four of us were walking through the snow to reach Crystal Lake. Zonk's leg was slowing us all down, but any progress we made towards getting back to the fortress was considered good progress.

I barely remembered why I woke up outside my ARA armor in the halls of the house, but for whatever reason, no pony seemed to notice that I might have fallen asleep in the hall after pleasing myself.

"Hey Night Haven," Frosty said, getting Night Haven's attention. "I need to ask you something away from the guys real fast."

They both trotted ahead of me and Zonk, far enough that we couldn't hear their soft conversation, but close enough that we could still see them.

Night Haven needing to ask a question reminded me that I needed to ask Zonk something, but before I could, Zonk said something dire. "You know, if we get back to the fortress, Night Haven might not get to go into the work program. Winterboot's sister will be there."

"I meant to ask, but in my rush to start my scouting mission, I forgot to ask who is Winterboot’s sister?," I replied, staying close to Zonk.

"She is Judgment. One of the ARA Council members. She serves as judge, jury, and executioner," Zonk explained.

I felt myself go pale before asking Zonk, "Is there a way to keep Night Haven safe from her?"

Zonk went silent for a moment, then simply said, "Ask me after we cross the lake. I need time to figure something out."

As we approached Night Haven and Frosty, I was about to ask them why they had stopped, but I didn't have to, because the moment we reached them, I saw it.

Crystal Lake, with its horrifying piles of ponies lying along the frozen ice. I had seen dead ponies before, both civilians and raiders, but never in such large numbers.

Frosty looked at them and said, "This is the remains of three settlements worth of ponies," as we walked slowly over the ice and past the bodies.

Night Haven commented as we continued walking, "Some raiders must have made a sacrifice to Red-eye or Graymane... likely both."

I looked at the bodies as we passed them, noticing some wearing ARA uniforms, but I chose to stay silent to avoid further hurting morale or slowing progress.

Walking along the ice we four took it slow to avoid any surprises like the ice breaking. I do not know why but the air felt so much more chilling as we kept walking.

As we kept moving I tried not to think about anything but moving forward. I also kept focusing on my breath as we heard the ice under us make a creaking sound.

I Felt my body tense up as we kept going but my focus was broken by Zonk saying “Night Haven if the ice breaks leave me and Rook to die we need Frosty back to the fortress it is important.”

Night Haven looked back at Zonk then said “No i will save Rook because Graymane orders me t-.”

“Trust Zonk I do not know how or why but so many times since I met them they have been able to somehow know what to do if he says Frosty is important somehow then she is,” I said to Night Haven but she did not respond. I do not know if she is going to ignore what i said or not at first.

Night Haven looked at Frosty then to me and nodded as we kept going step by step as each step was followed by a creek.

We had the old ruins of Crystal Lake town in our sights. We could make it so easily now or we would if an explosive barrel did go flying overhead from the town and blowing up behind us.

The explosion caused the ice to crack and chipped towards us as we started to run while trying our best not to slip and fall.

But Zonk slipped and fell as ice gave out. I was about to turn to save them before Night Haven flew past me to grab Zonk and started flying to the town with them in her hoofs. I could hear Zonk yelling at her saying “no not me you have to keep Frosty safe.”

I kept running with Frosty as bullets flew past us ponies in the ruins were shooting at us and we needed to get off the ice before it all broke.

We were good as dead if it was not for Zonk using a free hoof to toss down a smoke bomb to cover us running into some of the ruins of the town but we ended up being separated from Zonk and Night Haven.

Me and Frosty manage to escape the line of sight of our attackers. Kind of both a good and a bad thing, meaning we have no clue where they are or how to avoid walking into them but hey at least we are not being shot at anymore.

Frosty taps my shoulder and whispers “we need to find Zonk and Night haven before something happens to them.”

I nodded in agreement before I pulled out my binoculars and started to scan the ruins for who was shooting at us.

As I scanned the ruins I saw a pony run into a building so I focused on the broken windows with my binoculars to see ghoul ponies and an Alicorn that seemed to be leading them.

Ghouls were your textbook ghouls any noteworthy details likely rotted away a long time ago but the Alicorn on other hoof she was tall with her mane, tail and fur color a winter white matching the snow only thing that gives her away is her lapis blue eyes.

But one thing worth noting about these ghouls is the fact they were dressed like raiders as well as the alicorn leading them.

“What do you see Rook?” Frosty asks as quietly as possible.

I explained what I saw and then she moved to get closer, forcing me to follow her. She had an easier time sneaking about but for me I almost got spotted.

I almost got spotted by a ghoul but for some reason they did not call me out, maybe because they were semi blind or they were on the edge of becoming feral. Who knows but they wander off without alerting the others.

When we got close we heard the alicorn talking preaching “Back when I was one with the Goddess I felt so divine but blind to Paradise. When the light bringer selfishly severed Equestria's only hope for Paradise my eyes were open and what I saw was Graymane.”

Frosty and I stayed hidden waiting for whatever the reason Frosty wanted to get close.

The alicorn pull out a book holding it up saying “Graymane is the second coming of Red-eye if we cannot have the Goddess or Red-eye. Then we will have Graymane and he will lead us to Paradise!”

Crowd of ghouls cheered as the alicorn then said “But before we can be led to Paradise we need to destroy all who would ruin it starting with them,” and she had a group of ghouls bring out Zonk and Night Haven and she bound them in her magic.

Frosty whispers “we need to save them,” as she looks at her sniper rifle and looks through the supply bag i had from Graymane finding a few bullets then she said “I got an idea but you need to keep her from finishing. So keep her talking till I am ready, you got it?”

I nodded and we split up as I entered the ruined building. I came to realize it was a church to Celestia that was defaced to Graymane.

“We got the pony Night Haven and the ARA pony who shot Graymane and now we will,” She stop talking and point a hoof to me then ask “Who are you pony?”

“I am the one who shot Graymane not the Zebra you got there,” I said as the group of ghouls prep to attack me. I started to think this was a bad idea. I could have figured something better besides making every pony here mad at me. but luck was on my side as the alicorn raised a hoof making ghouls hold off attacking me.

The alicorn put the book in her chest armor then said “You got a lot of balls coming in my church and tribute to Graymane. So tell me why I should not remove both balls and hang them from the doorway as punishment for interrupting my preaching and for shooting Graymane,” With a big creepy smile on her face.

I gulped as reality set in that this was an alicorn. Without the Goddess the alicorns were more than a major threat still but they are egotistical the majority of time. Maybe I got an idea to keep her focused on me.

“I was wondering why you are worshiping a normal unicorn like Graymane? Like you're an alicorn would that mean you're more powerful and not in control of this religion?” I ask.

She laughed at the question before starting to talk “Because he showed me true power. When I was one with Goddess I felt so powerful I felt I could not be stopped. But when Goddess was severed from us I tried my hoof at keeping up controlling what was built only to realize how weak I was.”

I stood there in silence slowly taking in the room before noticing a ghoul take out another ghoul in silence.

“I was so weak so very weak so much so some raiders use me to full fill there fantasies of raping Celestia and Luna. Once they were done with me after months of abuse they were ready to put an end to me. But Graymane saved me and showed me the difference between being strong and feeling strong.” She said as she kept her eyes on me.

“Interesting story but there has to be more to this…um what do i call you?” I asked.

Night haven spoke up and said “She is Cum bucket,” then she laughed as the Alicorn used her magic to slam her head into the floor hard enough it seemed to hurt her but not kill.

Alicorn then said “I am Free Soul, a name Graymane gave me for the new me as I was reborn as a raider.”

“Can I join?” I asked right before I saw another ghoul was taken out by another ghoul behind her.

“Depends, can you cut out your weakness like me and my flock did?” she asked me as it dawned on me these ponies are not ghouls, they are normal ponies who mutilated themselves to the point they look like ghouls.

I slowly backed away as they all started brandishing knives and slowly walking towards me to cut the weakness out of me.

Then a gunshot and sound of glass breaking rang out as a bullet came flying through the window hitting Freesoul in the horn shattering it and a second shot in the chest knocking her back and down.

Night Haven and Zonk got free as Freesoul’s flock got ready to attack us then somepony shouted “Run you foolish ponies run!”

A smoke flew in from the ghoul pony I saw killing the others behind Freesoul. The smoke filled the room with smoke as each of us escaped.

I found myself outside the church as Zonk and Night Haven joined me outside the church.

The sound of chaos in the church as the ghoulish raiders trying to find everypony in the smoke.

“Lets go,” the ghoul pony said as they ran past us. We hesitated at first but any thought of not following them popped into our heads was quickly erased by the fact the smoke was clearing and ghoulish raiders would be on us if we did not follow them.

We ran and followed this unknown pony as Frosty joined us. The ghoul pony led us to an abandoned home in Crystal Lake town.

“Ok now we are safe. I guess you all would like to know who I am. My trade caravan calls me Sturdy Hoof and I am from Zepperhights. I know it is a pegasus only settlement but that does not stop them letting traders stay and trade,” The ghoul pony or Sturdy Hoof said.

Sturdy Hoof was not as rotten away like most ghouls. I could make out the details that his coat was dark green with his cutie mark of a black horseshoe and his eyes a solid green.

I ask an important question but I feel I can already tell what happened and said “What happened to your caravan?”

Sturdy Hoof said with a smile “They all got skinned alive and then raider fucks cut my face so i am always smiling.”

Well there goes my second question but now for the final one “Why help us?” I asked

Sturdy Hoof exhaled then said “Mare i loved was skinned by those fucks and i want pay back if helping you means i can kill Freesoul then i want to help.”

“Well she's likely dead. I shot her in the chest after destroying her horn so the odds of any pony living through that is low,” Frosty replied as she sat down by the window and kept watch.

Sturdy Hoof posture became more relaxed a bit and said “Now I just got to kill her flock.”

“Good luck with all that we should move,” Zonk said before getting up and Night Haven pulled him down next to her.

I looked at Night Haven because it was a bit odd as to why she would do that but now is not the time as i said “We will help you after all we cannot risk them flanking the fortress and attacking the place.”

Zonk started groaning and said “Ok i might have an idea to kill them all or enough that they no longer be a threat,” they started putting out a map on the floor of Crystal lake town.

Map they had showed the town back before the war but should still work for planning things out.

Zonk pointed to the middle of the map of the town and said “The books that i have read said how the town was used for testing energy spells before they were shifted to mare time bay and this location on the map is where the old power plant is but theoretically we could,” but Zonk got cut off.

“Theoretically two ponies could blow the place and kill every pony around it but we need a majority of our team to draw them all in am i correct,” Night Haven said.

Zonk nodded as they said “they will need to get into the underground caverns that might have robots guarding it so i will go with Frosty.”

I quickly objected by saying “Zonk you struggle to run and walk so mobility type stuff like this is a risk for you. So instead me and Frosty?” After saying that, Night Haven objected.

“I am to defend you so it is you and me. not you and Frosty. Also we need two ponies who know explosives to get in and out so after what happened back in the arena we both meet the minimal requirements,” Night haven said.

Before Zonk could interject Frosty said “then we all in agreement me, Zonk, Sturdy hoof here will draw them into the blast zone. As Rook and Night Haven rigged the place to go boom.”

Four of us nodded as Zonk shrugged as we five set off to execute the plan.

On our way out Zonk gave me a map of the sewer system of the town and drew out the route we could take to get into the place by blowing out a sewer wall to get in and to avoid alerting the Freesoul’s flock.

Once me and Night Haven got in the sewers we pulled out flash lights and attached them to our armor and started walking through the sewers.

The stagnant smell of unflush and old sewer water filled the air as we walked. I struggled to breathe but Night Haven had no problem.

Figures she would be ok with the smell of filth “Hey Rook?” Night haven said with a hint of hesitation in their voice.

“Um ya,” I replied as I read the map and led us through the sewers.

“Am I like that? I know I am faithful to Graymane and the ponies of the arena are as faithful as me but Freesoul before she got gunned down. Do I talk like that or act like that?” Night haven asked with a bit of shakiness in her voice.

“No honestly, worshiping Graymane like a god is crazy, yes but Freesoul was insane and so are her followers,” I said as I almost fell into the sewer water

Struggling to maintain my balance, Night Haven grabs my tail and pulls me back till I am safe and away from the water.

Night Haven then said with renewed confidence “Thanks Rook I needed to hear that. now where to next?”

I looked at the map and pointed to the correct path only to get shot at by a laser.

“Please leave now possible zebra spies or we will fire,” A protectron said as it opened fire.

Me and Night Haven took cover around a corner as the protectron kept walking and firing “Those do not seem like warning shots,” Night haven said as she looked around the tunnels.

“Nope, it's trying to give us a warning but it seems to be glitched and trying to kill on sight,” I said as I pulled my rifle out and peaked around the corner to fire a few rounds into it.

I manage to destroy it for only three more to come walking down the sewer tunnels repeating what the first one said.

Night Haven started digging through her bags for something as I kept firing but I ended up taking a laser shot to my front right hoof. Lucky for me the shot did not manage to get through my armor.

“Um, Night Haven could use your mindless bloodlust right now,” I said as I peaked out again and fired a few rounds into one but not destroying it. Then only to be rewarded with two more arriving bringing their numbers to five as I took cover again.

“Found it,” Night Haven said before bolting into the open and tossing something that looked to be a grenade.

“OH FUCK!” I yelled before diving to cover but all I heard was an electric buzz instead of a boom and the sound of all the robots falling over.

I got up and looked at Night Haven and she said “What, I use a shock grenade to fry their insides and destroy them.”

I am not going to lie, that was smart. For a raider she is a smart fighter as well honorable on some level and cute. Wait, did I say cute? She looked at me. Did I say that out loud?

“Good job Night Haven,” I said hoping I did not say anything I thought by mistake.

Night Haven smiled then said “I learned it from talking to Zonk yesterday before you woke up in the hallway. Like i did not understand half of what they said but i did get words a shock could destroy robot’s insides perfectly clear,” as she helped me up.

I reopened the map then said “We are on track just a bit more and we are in position to blast our way into the facility and rig the place to go boom,” as I rolled up the map and put it in my bag.

Once we found the right spot we found it already open with a blue and purple mist leaking from the opening.

“Um this cannot be good, has to be some type of chemical leak or something,” I said as I slowly got closer.

Night Haven remained silent as she looked around then said in a shaky voice “Something feels very off we better off just leaving town.”

After watching a rat run into the opening with blue and purple mist leaking out and then running out without a problem. If it is safe for a rat it is safe for me but in case.

I reloaded my gun and grabbed the explosives then said “Night Haven i am going in if i do not come out in half an hour come in and get me.”

“Rook do not do this, we could find another way, maybe if we go top side and enter from the front door or back door?” Night Haven said as she tried to take the explosives from me.

“Why are you scared? It is clear as day you know what this stuff is,” I said as I kept the explosives away from her.

“It's called Hipno. Hipno is a airborne drug used by Graymane followers to open the minds of none Graymane followers with risk of them going brain dead,” she said as she kept looking around and said “ but the thing is a group like Freesoul’s should not have any so it likely a ambush so with my job to keep you safe your not allowed go in there.”

“Ok but why avoid telling me?” I asked as I held the explosives close to myself to avoid her grabbing them.

She started looking distressed before saying “No I am not going to tell you anymore.”

I took steps closer to the opening before she yelled “Because I have to!”

Regardless of the risk of brain death I knew what I had to do so I said “Sorry Night Haven I am not risking a friend or our team. So I am going in.”

I turned away from her and was about to make my way in before something hit me in the head from behind.

Last thing i heard before i blacked out fully was Night Haven say “I am sorry Rook if anyone of us going risk possible brain death it going be me.”

Author's Note

My Proof reader who said was going help me had a family emergency and had quite half way helping me. So ya expect roughly same level of quality as unseal and thanks for sticking around.