Fallout Equestria: Desperados V3 (Bonds of Platinum)

Fallout: Equestria

Desperado’s V3: Bonds of Platinum

Ch 15, Politics, Part 1.

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“Right, before we go and deal with all the politics, I'll show you a few things you'll need to know.” Arras told me as he unrolled a rather detailed map of the region.

I had spent the rest of the day relaxing, charging Spark batteries for the Desperados, and imprinting the talismans for our big gun. Fortunately the warband was out patrolling, so it was relatively peaceful. After that I got a proper night's rest, and a hearty breakfast.

Now I was getting a lesson from Arras's, as he wanted me to go with him to the Elders meeting. He felt it was best if I speak on behalf of the Desperados, as most ponies still had a bias against ghouls, and Swift wasn't likely to keep a cool head. it was something I couldn't argue against.

Looking at the map, it was made of thick canvas, with beautifully detailed inkwork in several colors. The map must have been fairly old now, as it marked off radiation zones, and had an absolutely beautiful drawing of Canterlot surrounded by pink clouds at the bottom. At the center was Platinum Hill, and north of that was Umberfoal. A road going further north leads to the city of Whinneapolis, it being both marked as a radiation zone, and cursed. A road going through Whinneapolis went further north and off the map, where an arrow pointed up and printed in bold letters next to it was “Crystal Empire.”

There were more roads, with Route 50 being most noticeable on the map, connecting the east and west of the map, only broken up in a few places by rivers, or by Whinneapolis itself. The rivers were prominent too, with one called the Smart Cookie river that went east off the map, all the way a bit over Platinum Hill. Another river, the Maresissippi, went north to south, starting just below the Crystal Empire, passing Platinum Hill, and going all the way south off the map in-between the ruins of Canterlot and Cloudsdale. Platinum Hill was situated not far from where both rivers crossed each other, with Umberfoal sitting on the river going east.

The Desperados territory stayed north of the Smart Cooke river, and only expanded out south on the west side of the Maresissippi, and extending to the west end of the map. An arrow pointing west was listed as “Road Crew Territory over mountains.”

I pointed at the area where Platinum Hill resided. “I'm guessing the reason you don't control this has to do with the demon grass?”

“Mostly. The demon grass is thickest in the Lush Central Plains, which is where we are. Same for the territories to the east until you hit the rivers and mountains. Demon grass also infests the surrounding territories, but we have spent the last two hundred years beating it back and making barriers to keep the shit contained.” Arras told me as he ran hisvhoof along the edge of Desperados territory. “Aside from dealing with raiders and other scum, maintaining the roads and cutting back the demon grass is why Platinum Hill wants us around. Trade from the west would completely choke up if we weren't around, you see.”

“But even now it's getting choked up.” I commented.

Arras nodded. “We'll hopefully know how bad it is soon, once our riders return from the west. But until then, we must deal with local problems.” He then pulled out several small wooden squares, each with a Desperados symbol on them. Three went over Platinum Hill, all flaming skulls, one in a stetson, a horned helmet, and a new one with a red cap. “This is currently us.” he then began placing wooden squares all over the Desperados territory, and a few outside of it. Each one a flaming skull with either a different hat, or a stetson with an extra number on top.

Pointing at a Desperados herd further east, it was a stetson with the number 2 on it, Arras then explained. “This is the Route Fifty Desperados, second chap- second herd. All the Route Fifty's are led by founding members like myself, and can be trusted. The second's are lead by another Canterlot native, Morning Light, former sniper and fortunately a former Dash addict. Ghoulification was probably the best thing that happened to her, just after her marriage and children. She'll be the one coming here to take over for Swift.”

“And the Rangers won't have a problem with her?” I asked.

Arras let out a laugh. “Probably, but they're not going to try shit with her around. The seconds killed more Rangers during the first Desperados Ranger war then anypony has since the schism. She trains her herd in classic sniping and hunting tactics. If you want to know more, ask Live Axle, she stayed a year with Morning to learn proper gun smithing, and got the sniper bootcamp training at the same time.”

His hoof then moved to the west, off the edge of the map, where a stetson with the numbers 5 and 6 were. “My friends Railway and Smoke Signals are here, both keeping the Roadcrew from expanding into our territory, and keeping an eye on the Enclave Remnants in the mountains. We don't know what's happened to my friends, but last we heard, both the fifth and sixth herds were pushed east without their elders, and have been engaging with rebels as one herd. Unfortunately because of that, information from them has been vague, but that's why we sent riders to them.”

“They lost their elders?” I asked.

Arras nodded. “Yes, but we don't know if they're still undead or just dead. Those two are experts in Asymmetric warfare, which is why their herds were not overrun by whatever is going on over there.”

His hoof then moved over to Whinneapolis, where a stetson with a three was placed, and a bit to its east, a stetson with a seven was placed. “The threes and sevens aren't going anywhere, with the Three’s made up of withered ghouls, overlooking our main military stockpile. We'll be visiting them to pick up some real guns if what you suspect is true. As for the Seven’s, they overlook our main necessities stockpile, there more like my herd, made up of mostly families, and overlook training young Desperados. So we'll be dropping off the non-combatants with them.”

“Where's the Fours? I asked.

Arras grimised. “They used to overlook Umberfoal, led by Crystal Clear, our old radio operator from the war, and a kind soul. The damn Rangers stabbed her in the back and slaughtered her herd and family. For two hundred years she maintained her post and had friendly relations with Platinum Hill.” He let out a long sigh. “If not for Magnificence and Fullmetal, we'd have seen those tin cans be put out of our misery with prejudice.”

“Swift's father led the charge to avenge our friends and family, even as I advised caution as we gathered our artillery. It's debatable who was right in the end, but the result was all the same, death.” Arras said bitterly. “The bastards say they are honorable protectors, but in the end they were nothing more than butchers.”

“I'm guessing the Rangers have their own view on this?” I asked.

He let out a huff. “They just say they were putting down a raider and mutant infestation. That's all the excuse they ever needed to attack.”

“But let's change the subject to the now, or I'll start drinking until I pass out.” Arras said as he sat back. “Likely the rangers will just spout Brahminshit, as per the normal. No need to convince them of anything, they're not going to care if they were dangerous or not. We need to reassure the residents of Platinum Hill that it's worth the effort to keep the Steel Rangers within their walls. As friendly as the locals are, most have the not in my backyard kind of mindset.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“So long as bad things happen outside their walls, they don't really care what is going on. That kind of stupidity.” Arras then pulled out another, smaller map, this one more simple and of just Platinum Hill. The city was split into several districts, and not just the Inner-city and Outer-city. “As much of a pain in the neck the Steel Rangers are, they also insure that the ponys outside, stay out.” He pointed to a spot in the inner city which had the Steel Rangers symbol at its center. “The Rangers also stay in their own little district, which the locals also like. Along with maintaining an electrical grid and allowing approved technology to the locals. For this, the rangers have quite a few wealthy ponies backing them, which is why they didn't get completely kicked out of Platinum Hill after the second war.”

That sounded all too familiar, reminding me of the backroom politics that went on back home. The only reason why the Islands stayed so divided was because ponies with more money than sense didn't want any unification. There was more going on, but as far as I knew, there would have been ponies in a lot of trouble if the Islands ever unified. That mindset is probably why the Equalists were able to rise to power on the islands.

Looking at the city map itself, it was a mosaic of what I guessed were different factions and zones. Just like the Steel Rangers, the Platinum Guard had their territory at the center, with the Coven of Clovers at the southern end of the Inner-city. There was also Celestia's cutie-mark filling in much of the remaining inner city, with other smaller districts that looked like they were businesses or government offices. The outer-city was even more broken up, with the Desperados on the east side, an actual area listed as Talon company territory, a large area that was the industrial district, along with merchant road being its own district cutting through everything. The large residential area was also broken up, with the biggest having a red light district at its center, and being surrounded by a ton of smaller districts that seemed to be divided by different creatures or cultures.

This city was an actual city, and it hurt my head to think about it.

Taking a deep breath, I focused on the task at hoof. “Essentially, we just have to make a point that if the rangers do anything to provoke us, the fighting will come to them. All while ensuring that if we were left alone, we'll stay on our side of the wall and trade will not be distributed.” I said, half to Arras and half to myself. Then added, “Speaking of trade, what about the west? Wouldn't that factor into getting the Rangers to back down?”

“Trade from the west has always been less important than from the east, making it a harder sell than dropping the tax for using the rivers.” Arras explained. “It's the Rangers silver bullet, if they get control over Umberfoal, they'll reduce the tax for merchants to use the port. They don't care about caps as much as everypony else, so it's easy for them to do. So the ponies who support them aren't going to care, so long as they get their Saddle Arabian trinkets for cheap.”

“Along with selling their own products to the ponies of Friendship City and Tenpony Tower.” Spoke Magnificence as she trotted in, her large hat hiding her eyeless face.

Arras chuckled as he greeted the elder of the Coven of Clovers. “Mag, ya old witch, I'm glad to see you again.”

“I wish I could say the same, but I'm sure that face is as degraded as your voice.” Mag teased. “A shame really, you did have quite the singing voice. I always wondered why you never went into showbiz”

“Like I told ya over a hundred times before, it's because I pissed off Ministry mare Rarity.” Arras then trotted over and gave Mag a hug, both of their joints making cracking sounds that unnerved me a bit. “So how have things been?”

“Same as it had been.” Mag replied as she found a seat. “The days still blur together after the first hundred years. Only now I can understand why Celestia enjoyed teaching foals magic, it helps keep me centered and my mind sharp. Still, it amazes me how she lasted a thousand years without going nuts.”

“Unlike us, she wasn't undead.” Arras pointed out. “But I understand what you're getting on about. Telling the old stories to the young, it helps remind me of who I am and why I'm here. Still, sometimes it makes me wonder if I'm being selfish by sticking around as long as I have. Maybe my friends and I are holding back the Desperados, and it's time to set them free.”

Mag pulled out a whole tea set, with a steaming pot of tea from her cloak. “Maybe, but you're also keeping the Desperados centered.” placing down the tea set and serving us the tea, she then pointed at a Desperados square that was on top of the mountain range to the south east, this a skull sporting a tophat. “The Tops Desperados, so those chem addicts are still kicking around. If you and the other founders weren't keeping an eye on them, they surely would have turned the Desperados into nothing more than raiders.” Her hoof then moved to another Desperados square to the north east, this one with an antlered helmet. “and the Hunger Desperados, a shame you can never get all of those monsters. But if you weren't around, shurly they would have raped and canablized their way throut the regon.”

Arras didn't look happy about hearing those two herds being mentioned. “And they also exist because of me. Both leaders were my descendants, and I still remember their faces as foals. Both blamed me for what they became, just like what Swift does now. So can you not bring up such things, not when you've prepared” Arras sniffed the air and sigh. “Yes, even my broken nose can still smell royal tea.”

“No, it's important if you're going to have the dear princess speak in your stead.” Mag said as she tipped her head to me. “Sadly, there is quite the prejudice against ghoul in the city. Both inner and outer I'm afraid. So as respected as Arras is, they're likely not going to listen to him.”

“Arras has mentioned that, but then what about you?” I asked Mag.

She smiled, it looked more like a line drawn on her muzzle than actual lips. “I have a familiarity bias on my side. Along with being the only living founder… well, unliving. My words are much harder to dismiss, and I pose a much more immediate danger if crossed.” She explained. “Still, I cannot speak for the Desperados. That would unfortunately make it easier for them to dismiss me, and possibly question my authority.”

I nodded in understanding. “We had similar problems back home. Cort politics had many rules, and even more pitfalls to avoid.”

“Oh how much things may change, they also stay very much the same.” Mag said with a laugh. “I unfortunately can't say I knew how things were before Celestia stepped down, but things were quite cut throat under Luna. The poor mare was busy just keeping the nobility in line, on top of waging that awful war, and directing the Ministries whenever she had time. Even Majesty found the nobility hard to control without Celestia involved, it's particularly why she entered that Stable before the bombs were dropped.”

“We had several families living in our shelters before the bombs as well.” Arras added. “Helped keep paranoia down knowing we had family safe, in case of the worst.”

“Right, so you want me to speak for Arras because it will be easier for them to… accept me?” I then asked.

Mag took a sip of her tea and nodded. “Essentially yes. And thanks to the existence of Crystal Harmonium, they can't just call you a mutant. You're also classically trained in diplomacy, and from what I've been told, are quite beautiful.

I blushed a little. “Oh, I'm sure that's an exaggeration.”

Laughter escaped Arras's muzzle. “Trust me, compared to the average mare out in the wasteland, you're quite up there in beauty. Maybe a bit above Star, though you beat her hooves down in personality.”

“We're not here to make comparisons.” Mag said sternly. “But that said, if the public opinion of you is positive, it makes it all the easier to avoid needless conflicts. And you have been making quite a good impression on ponies here.”

Having no reason to deny the compliment, I then just nodded back. “Fine, I get your point. If I represent the Desperados, there's less of a chance we'll get ignored or shouted down.” I then pointed at the two Desperados herds Mag mentioned. “But why bring up those two?”

Mag let out a sigh. “Because if the Steel Rangers do, and you know nothing of them, you will look ignorant and any credibility you have will dry up like a wasteland toad without water. Though I'm sure you'll do just fine, as deflecting unknown topics is royal politics 101.”

It was annoying that she was correct. “It was common for ponies to try to get my family to look stupid with more niche subjects at times. Even my sister Silk could deflect such questions, even if it was back to talking about herself.”

“Good, but even still, knowing a bit about them will help.” Mag informed me. “Though more of an international issue for the Desperados, they are still well known enough to be held over the Desperados heads when calling them raiders. It's the same issue ghouls have and the threat of going feral. Ignorant ponies believe that ghouls can just go feral out of nowhere, just as they believe Desperados will turn raider at any time.”

Arras let out an annoyed huff. “Annoying, it's actually the opposite. The so-called civilized ponies are more likely to turn raiders. My Desperados rarely ever lose themselves, and those on the edge are taken away, where they can be helped. But ttose soft ponies, remove that safety they call civilization and they lose their fucking minds.”

“Not everypony is raised to understand how unforgiving the wasteland is. Even I am ashamed to admit that I've had students go raider. Too much coddling, not enough understanding.” Mad said with remorse.

She then tapped on the two rouge Desperados squares again. “That said, when the Rangers do mention these two chapters of the Desperados-”

“Herds.” Arras corrected

“Don't care.” Mag counters. “When either of the two chapters are mentioned, do not get stuck talking about how they don't represent the Desperados. The longer they are the subject of debate, the more ponies will think raiders. Instead, switch the topic to Elder Cottage Cheese, and how they raided stable two, and the surviving rangers from that chapter then instigated the second Desperados Ranger war.”

That… made a lot of sense. “Right, that would put them on the back hoof. But why would they risk such a counter?”

“Mostly, it's because the Rangers who are from Cottage Cheese's chapter, the ones who didn't turn to Applejack Rangers, are all dead. After the war, the surviving rangers were all executed by the Platinum Guard for instigating that tragedy. Because of that, the Rangers here don't claim any relation to them, and easily forget that though they don't see themselves connected, we still are. Not much different from the Desperados, you think?”

“Plenty different!” Arras snapped. “Unlike those bastards, we actually clean up our own fuckups!” He let out a sigh, it was filled with pain and regret. “We take care of our own, even if it means putting them down and burying them deep. At least we give the dead proper burials, even if they don't deserve it.”

Mag tilted her head down, hiding a grimace forming on her muzzle. “I know, I know. What they did to Crystal Clear, it was… deplorable.”

“That's putting it lightly!” Arras grouled. “She deserved better! Not to be cut up and put on display like some morbid curiosity, and that's all you can say is-”

“She was my friend to ya old fool,” Mag nearly yelled, then lowering her voice to a calm and cold tone. “Or did you forget who ordered for those Rangers to be strung up by the neck. I still remembered the last time we had tea, and that I invited her to taste our first batch of royal tea once it was done growing…”

Arras took a deep breath, calming down. “Yes… I remember. Still doesn't make it any easier.”

“No it doesn't, and for what it's worth, I miss her too.” Mag said softly. “But we can’t let anger and hate lead us, that only gives things like Strife power.”

There was a moment of silence as I took it all in. How deep the scare went, it was something I could understand. My hatred for the Corps Brigade and the pirates were not much different, seeing my family harmed, it deeply disturbed me. And seeing how Arras responded, it was clear to me that the Desperados were incapable of negotiations with the Rangers. Not right now at least. They really did need somepony who could speak for them, but didn't suffer from their pain.

“I think I understand. Where they would simply dismiss you, Arras, or bait Swift, they can't do the same to me. Also, it's unlikely they would expect a classically educated pony to be among the Desperados, So their guard will be down.” I then looked at the map again, seeing the other Desperados squares. Then another thought hit me, “Wouldn't knowing more about the Rangers help me as well?”

Mag smiled at that. “Yes, but the Ranger history isn't something they like to share with outsiders. Despite how much they like to share about the Desperados. But if we were to start at the most poignant point, the second Desperados Ranger war is best.”

“Makes sense, and that started with what, an ambush, assassination?” I asked.

“That's rather muddy, a lot of he said she said. The Rangers claimed Elder Crystal Clear went feral, and they were forced to put her down. And the slater of the Desperados was a result of self defense.” Mag Explained

“All brahminshit.” Arras huffed. “Ghouls don't just snap and go feral. It takes days for a ghoul to get violent, and even then, the signs of their mind going are very apparent for over a month before they go off that cliff. If Crystal Clear was going feral, we would have known long before the Rangers, and have prepared her last rights.”

“That I agree. We both have seen our fair share of friends slowly succumb to the radiation in their brains.” Mag said with a hint of sadness. “But, what we know, and what other ponies believe are two different things.”

Taking a deep breath, Mag then continued with her explanation. “As a result of the unjustified act of so-called self defense, the Rangers had taken over Umberfoal, and day by day their numbers were being bolstered by more lost Rangers drifting in. We tried to divert as many of them to Platinum Hill and stay out of the conflict, but hard liners rarely listen to outsiders. So by the time word got around to the Desperados, there were already two chapters worth of rangers in Umberfoal, and they were quickly fortifying their position. Both Elder Fullmetal and I attempted to get them to stand down, but several rather obtuse Star Palins rallied the Rangers to ignore us, and made sure the elder with them was isolated.”

“You might know one of them, Harp.” Arras grumbled at me.

I sighed, having a good idea who. “Let me guess, It was Star Paladin Spritz Cookie.”

Magnificence paused for a moment. “So you know of that awful mare.”

I nodded. “She was with us when we escaped the New Canterlot Republic Correctional Facility. She was planning to use the other escapees to attack the NCR, where I was planning on reconnecting with the Desperados. It ended in a fight, which as you can guess, we won. Last we know, her body got dragged back to the NCR by those looking to serve out their time and return to the NCR.”

Mag sipped her tea, letting what I just said linger.

“Well… that explains why the Rangers have been more… uppity.” Mag said as she put her teacup down. The ancient unicorn reached under her hat, pulling out a clipboard and red pen, striking a line on a paper. “Well, that's one bastard left to die.”

“C… can you even read that?” I asked, a bit confused.

“Oh, I may be blind, but magic opens up new ways to see.” She smiled again, and I felt magic reach out to me. “Actually, that's also why I'm here. Not many ponies have such a strong ability to sense magic, or a natural capacity for it. So I thought, why not teach the young princess more on sensing magic.”

I was taken aback by the offer, but also curious. “So not… casting it?”

Mag shook her head. “No, not casting like a unicorn. This is an older magic, one anypony can do if properly trained. Though it takes years and years to even try it.”

“But I don't have years.” I pointed out.

She smiled and asked. “Do you trust me?”

I looked over at Arras, who shrugged back at me. With a sigh, I then asked, “must it be now?”

“No.” Mag said with a smile. “But this will help with the negotiation to come, and understand why the wounds run so deep.”

“Alright. If it will help.” I told her

Her magic touched me, and mine touched it, the two mixing, and I felt light…

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“What in Celestia's name is the meaning of this!” I yelled… no, it was Mag, that was her voice, and her magic. Her body felt weird, which was probably because she was a ghoul, yet something else felt off. It was weird, yet… comfortable?

So you can feel it, but that's a mystery for another day. Right now feel with your magic, and see how I see.

Mag's voice echoed in my head, her magic directing me. It was much like my ballet instructor bending my body into form. Accepting it, I let my own magic be manipulated, memorizing what I can as it happened.

Light filled my eyes, but it wasn't light, it was magic. Like normal I could feel them, but now they were taking shape, giving me sight without seeing. The land, the sky, the ponies, they all had magic in them, I already knew that, but now… shapes and colors.

The world took shape like a watercolor painting, each magic blending where they touched. The world was also speckled with the green radiation drifting through the air. Then I looked at the scene before me. Several ponies were standing in front of me, hovering in the air… no… I see it, they were in power armor. In the distance, more of them, and a pit… bodies, they were throwing bodies into the pit!

“We don't answer to you, witch! Return to your hut!” One Ranger in decorated armor spoke with a cold mechanic voice.

“Then you will answer to me!” Yelled Fullmetal, the old mare sounding only a bit younger.

The Rangers let out a dismissive laugh. “No, we'll not. Not to a traitor, or a witch.”

Loud thumping came up the hill as everypony looked, and a long column of Steel Rangers could be seen coming. Leading them was an older pony in blue robes and looked considerably panicked. As he arrived, the Ranger Elder nearly fell over as he stopped to catch his breath. “Lady Magnificence, Mother. You two mustn't rush ahead like this, this is Ranger business, they're not going to listen to you.”

“Ad victorium Elder Popcorn!” Several of the rangers said with a salute.

“Don't you fucking ad victorium me! Who sanctioned this… this massacre! Do you know what you have done?” Elder Popcorn yelled in half rage and half panic. “The Desperados are going to want blood for this!”

“You mean the raiders and mutants.” One Ranger mocked.

“Star Paladin, what's your name?” Popcorn sternly asked.

The pony removed their helmet, and though their face was blurred, I know exactly who it was.

“Spritz Cookie, Elder. Star Paladin Spritz Cookie.” She said, a smirk on her face. “The fact that you've let these savages live so close to the city, even controlling such a strategic point is a dereliction of your duty. The codex-”

“Don't quoat me the fucking codex to me!” Popcorn again shouted. “All of you, get inside the main hall! This mess you made, I… I need time to think.”

“Fine, Elder. But this discussion isn't over.” Spritz sad as she and the other Star Paladins trotted off deeper into Umberfoal.

Elder popcorn turned to Fullmetal and Mag, looking like he aged ten years in but a minute. “My Celestia, this is an utter disaster.”

“Poppy, let me take control of this.” Fullmetal asked her son.

But Popcorn shook his head. “No, you no longer have that authority. Anyways, even if you still had the authority, there's so way they're going to listen to a reformer. No, only I can take the reins of this and keep them from spreading this madness any further.” He took a long breath, regaining his composure. “I'm a proper member of the Steel Rangers, and I will do my duty to the end.”

“You can ask us for aid. I could teleport those Star Paladin's to the moon.” Mag offered.

“If only that would solve this mess. But no, this must be done by the Steel Rangers, nopony else.” Popcorn said solemnly. “You both need to return to the city, if the Desperados even think you had any hoof in this… I can't imagine the bloodshed that'll follow.”

The rest of the Ranger collom trotted up, led by another pony in decorated power armor. “Elder, what is your command?” The Star Paladin asked.

“Return to the city, you'll be acting Elder until I return. And make sure Shortcake and her Rangers stay out of this, all that tech she brought still needs to be secured and cataloged.” He ordered.

“But Elder, are you sure? Tiramisu could certainly-” the star Paladin began to say, but a glare from Popcorn stopped the Ranger.

“My daughter only just got promoted to knight, and you want her to not just lead a chapter, but two!” Popcorn growled back. “This is an order, return and hold down the fort. When the Desperados come, I need them to have no reason to attack the city, but if they do, I need you to protect it.”

“I understand Elder, yet still. Both our Chapter and Shortcake's could help.” The Star Paladin argued.

“Potato Pie.” Popcorn said softly. “This isn't something we can solve by a show of force. The Desperados aren't some band of raiders, and they're not going to fight us with sticks and stones. The Rangers here have started a war, one the Desperados are fully ready to fight. One… we used to be ready to fight. Now go, protect our brothers and sisters.”

Potato Pie nodded and backed up. “About face!” He yelled, and all the rangers that were following him turned around like a wave. “Ad Victoriam, Elder Popcorn.” He said before turning around himself.

“Ad Victoriam.” Popcorn repeated before turning towards Umberfoal himself.

“I'll try and contact the Desperados Elders, see if they can keep this from escalating out of control.” Mag offered.

“Please do, we don't need this war to spread out past Umberfoal.” Popcorn said as he trotted off.

Fullmetal angrily kicked the ground several times. “Even in death, Cottage Cheese is taking my son from me!”

And so began the second Desperados Ranger war, it started because of ignorance and hate, and fueled by rage and sorrow.

__________________________________________________________________

My vision returned and I was back in Arras's tent. Everything felt the same, but my vision felt… off.

I also felt a bit sick

“Give it a moment, magic sight can strain the body a lot the first time using it.” Mag calmly said to me.

“Maybe don't jump the poor mare with advanced magic.” Arras said in a disapproving tone. “After all this time, you still have that bad habit.”

Mag shrugged. “Not like we have the time to do things the old fashion way, and actually experiencing it is the best way to learn.”

I was feeling better, if only by a bit. “So, why did you… show me that?” I asked.

“Partly, to get at the heart of the matter.” Mag levitated the tea set, where it vanished under her robe. “And that the conflict was a complicated and messy affair. Popcorn was, and Potato Pie is a Steel Ranger fundamentalist. Though not as viscous as those Star Paladin's, the now Elder Potato Pie is Steel Ranger first and forever. Though he believes the Rangers were wrong in what happened at Umberfoal, he also believes that the Desperados should never been there, and the death of Popcorn was unjustified.”

“Swift's father, Overdrive Firemane, rushed in with several herds of Desperados, and besieged the fortified town before we gathered our artillery.” Arras further explained. “He didn't care who was or was not responsible, he just wanted revenge. Not that I blame him.”

“I was able to contact Arras and the others, who kept the Desperados from attacking the city or anypony else. But by the time we were able to bring everypony to the negotiation table, the fighting had been going on for a month, and the death toll was… significant.” Mag told me. “As Popcorn had predicted, it was a fight the Steel Rangers were no longer capable of fighting. The Desperados in their justified rage had leveled Umberfoal, but several of the main instigators had scattered once it was clear they weren't going to win.”

“Spritz Cookie among them.” I added.

Mag nodded. “I personally hunted a few of them down, and Fullmetal had a few hung for what they did. Little constellation for the damage they brought on us. But still, we cannot condemn the Rangers, not the ones here, as they had no involvement in that war, all thanks to Popcorn's quick thinking.”

“Dosent stop the tin cans from praising those bastards.” Arras huffed.

“Ya, the Ranger that guarded the merchant road gate revered Spritz Cookie.” I pointed out.

“It's no different to those who still respect Autumn Leaf, or Redeye. The ends justify the means, as they say. Those same means that created the Wasteland.” Mag let out a sigh, her hat tilting forward a bit. “Not to say I'm innocent of this myself. That all said, this is what you'll be up against, those with end goals, and little care in how they achieve it.”

That I could understand. “Yes, I should be able to navigate myself around such ponies. But is there anything else I might need to know, like recent events, or other history?”

“Small details mostly, but you should know about the important issues at hoof.” Mag told me as she smirked. “Oh, and did you get all of that down, creature.”

The hairs over my body bristled as Azure spoke up. “A fair bit. Though could you go over the negotiations for me. What were the terms, and how long did it take?”

“I really should be use to him by now.” I said to myself as I took a deep breath to get my heart to stop pounding.

I relaxed as Mag told Azure the finer details of the peace negotiations between the Rangers and the Desperados, revealing that the Rangers used to manage the outer-city as well, but it was then given over to the Desperados. An irony that didn't pass anypony by. That war started all because the Rangers felt that the Desperados were too close to the city, and now, they were in the city itself.

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