Fallout: Equestria - Pushing Daisies

Fallout: Equestria - Pushing Daisies

Chapter 8: …A Miracle

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I hugged the bottle of ashes to my chest. I couldn’t save her. All I ever wanted to do was help, and I fuck up every time. The original Daisy couldn’t save those deserters because they died in the bombs anyway. We couldn’t save the Craisies, just euthanize them. I couldn’t save this Daisy, who spent her last life as a Fillydelphian slave. Now, even Masque was going to be crippled his entire life for nothing, assuming we even lived that long.

No… No, there were still slaves with us I could help. Who I could save.

After my friend gave me the strongest hug his injuries would allow, we pressed on, towards the wall. The main gate wasn’t an option. More and more slaves started taking to the streets, away from the bulk of the fighting.

Our group became a small army, gunning down any feathered pony who tried to attack us. We would not let them take any others.

I couldn’t help but notice the dragon wasn’t in the sky anymore, and someone on the radio claimed that Stern had been killed. Finally.

However, that left very little to defy the Enclave’s airships. They’d steamroll the whole city, regardless of how much infantry they lost. It would take a miracle…

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Ask, and you shall receive.

When the massive shockwave ripped through the streets, I thought it was another balefire bomb. The air was washed in a bright green glow that engulfed the entire city. Yet, it didn’t burn. If anything, I felt a comforting warmth. From above.

The sun. I could see the sun, and the beautiful blue sky surrounding it. I’d seen it in the original Daisy’s memories, but never with my own eyes. Those fuzzy memories couldn’t even begin to compare. My heart swelled with hope.

It had a very different effect on the Enclave. I practically leaped out of my skin when a Raptor crashed down the street, completely disabled. Nearly all the airships suffered the same fate.

Word also spread about a hole blown into the wall ahead of us. Our way out. The radio continued on about newcomers joining the fray. Gawd’s Talons, the new Applejack’s Rangers, and even alicorns were here to help.

Them, and a giant fucking laser from the sky. Time to get the fuck out of here.

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By the time we reached our exit, the Enclave was in full retreat, the slaves were escaping en masse, and the Talons were regrouping under Gawdyna.

Making a power play, Grimfeathers? I guess with Stern dead, someone has to be in charge.

Masque ferried as many of us as he could across the moat before the pain was too much for him. Friendly Talons stepped in to help.

My friend nuzzled me. “So, what now?”

I looked around. “These ponies need somewhere safe to go. Somewhere with food and medicine.”

“Yeah,” he muttered, “I wouldn’t mind seeing a doctor.”

DJ Pon3 said Tenpony was taking in refugees, and Manehattan was as close as anywhere else. I announced our destination to the crowd, and we were off.

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Food and water had to be carefully rationed between all of us, and the mood began to dim as gray clouds once again hung overhead. Whatever brought the sun was a localized event. A steady thumping of glass against my flank was a constant reminder that I failed my mission. The faces of freed ponies around me was a constant reminder that I succeeded at another. I helped.

Masque and I shed our disguises at the first small town we encountered, and sold them for food. The dinky assortment of shacks couldn’t accommodate us all, but the locals helped pitch tents so we could at least stay the night. The griffon kept his arms around me as we slept. We woke up to clear skies.

According to DJ Pon3, the Lightbringer was responsible. That little unicorn really was incredible. If I ever see her again, I’m giving her a kiss. Maybe more, if she’s up for it.

When we reached Manehattan's ruins, we put our rested eyes to work looking out for raiders or bloodwings. After everything, I could not allow the wasteland to take away our victory. A climb up to the tramway, a trot along the rails, and an explanation at the gate later, and we had made it. Inside the lavish walls of Tenpony Tower, we were finally safe.

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I rushed Masque to the clinic, where our fears were confirmed. His injury, along with improper healing and sudden stress, would result in permanent damage. He hadn’t been able to fly at all since the potion wore off, and now we know he never will again. After any superficial injuries were taken care of, I wrapped my hooves around him. It was his turn to cry.

Every slave he defended and carried over that moat made sure to give him their thanks. I could see in his eyes, for the first time in his life, he felt like he mattered. That he made a difference. I felt it, too. After a few moments, we couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Tears of joy.

After a few days, once everything calmed down, I had one more stop I wanted to make. After that, Masque and I agreed to go back to Dodge and settle down, for real. Have a life together. A normal life. It’s what every Daisy wanted.

First, I had a pilgrimage to make. One many Daisies had, but I hadn’t. Trotson.

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