Fallout Equestria: Desperados V3 (Bonds of Platinum)

Fallout: Equestria

Desperado’s V3: Bonds of Platinum

Ch 5, The Coven of Clovers, Part 1.

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After getting our measurements, Hartwin quickly sent us on our way, and let us know that Bianca will be delivering new outfits to the Desperados camp shortly. He didn't seem happy about it, less so when Fizzy tracked in grime, but he wasn't willing to turn down honest caps over it. Though I was sure he marked up the price, at least I'll have an appropriate dress now.

It's just been too long since I last had a proper dress to wear. Or cute slippers.

As we waited back in camp, I had Cherry go and get Fizzy cleaned up, though I was unsure how long that'll take, with how unwashed that mare was.

"It's been less than a day, and you already picked up a new pony." Henbane chuckled.

"Blame Slowtrot this time." I told her.

Henbane raised an eyebrow and then asked. "Was it that weird time jumping thing he can do?" I nodded and she face-hoofed. "By Celestia, he can pull ponies back with him now. That weird healing potion shit was crazy enough."

"Not just that, but it seems that Fizzy's a bit famous around here." Star added. "Or infamous from how a few ponies have talked about her."

That was right, it didn't feel as though Fizzy was anypony important, but it seemed that she had a big effect on the ponies that knew her. I just hope this wasn't going to draw us into needless drama.

“Sounds like a pain.” Henbane said with a sigh. “Oh, I took a peek and have you seen them?”

“Seen what?” I asked, feeling a bit confused.

Now Henbane chuckled. “That mare, Fizzy, she's got massive tits between her legs. And she wasn't pregnant either. She must have Holstein ancestry to have utters that big.”

“Seriously, like how big are we talking?” Star asked curiously.

“Like…” Henbane moved her hooves around to demonstrate the size, which seemed to be sizable. “A melon I guess, and a fair sized one at that.”

Star whistled in surprise. “That's big. I think there were a few mares like that on the Blackwater, but I think you needed a potion to get them like that, or was it just being a milk maid.”

“A Lactation potion.” Fizzy spoke as she trotted in. “They're used to induce a mare's milk production, but have the side effect of permanently altering the body if used for too long.”

The mare wasn't just clean, but had her mane and tail trimmed, not by all that much, but enough that it wasn't taking over her entire body or threatening to trip her up. She had a pale lilac coat, with a very thick dark lavender mane that had natural fuchsia pink highlights in it. The mare was a bit extra curvy, reminding me of my sisters, though Fizzy had a shorter horn compared to them. And her face, it was beautiful, being that right sort of round, a beauty mark near her lips and bright fuchsia eyes that almost seem to glow, making her heart shaped pupils stand out even more.

Wait… heart shaped pupils?

“Ummm… not to be rude… but-”

“The fucks wrong with your eyes?” Star cut me off with the absolutely rude sounding question.

Fizzy looked away, then ruffled her own mane to hide her face. “I… umm… like… don't know. It's always been this way. And thanks for the wash, I'll be going now, sorry to… um.. interrupt you.”

Shooting Star an annoyed glare, my friend sighed and trotted to Fizzy. “Sorry about that, it was rude of me.” She then motioned for Fizzy to join our little group. “Trust me, we've seen weirder, so don't be shy.” Star then stopped for a moment, then looked at me, the pupils of her own eyes taking on random shapes.

“Please stop trying to copy her eyes, Star, your normal eyes are annoying enough.” I told her.

“Right, she is a Kelpie.” Henbane said with a bit of disgust in her voice.

As Fizzy joined us, Cherry trotted back in, looking a bit dazed.

Worried, I asked “Cherry… are you okay?”

Cherry giggled as she flopped down next to us, a strange magic lingering on her.

“S… sorry about that.” Fizzy said. “Ponies sometimes get like that if they look at my eyes for too long.”

Great, just what we needed, more cursed eyes. Feeling out with my magic, I probbed Fizzy, and felt a tremendous amount of magic in and around her. This mare was indeed super magical, but it felt unrefined, much like most ponies who know nothing of magic. Focusing on her eyes, the magic was more concentrated, feeling more like a talismans than anything like normal eyes, and in feeling them, I got a potent sickly sweet feeling, with something more in it… something… powerful.

“Harp!” Star almost yelled, breaking whatever trance I had been in. “Geese, you okay?” She asked as she wiped my muzzle with a rag, where I saw blood dabbed off from where she wiped my nose. “Ya scared me there for a moment.”

“Th… thanks.” I stammered. “Checked her magic… something strong there.”

“Well shit, we got another freek to join the club.” Henbane jokingly said, then turned her attention to Fizzy. “So what cha's dark past? Most of us are escaped cons, with Star here a cursed eye pirate, and Harp a genuine princess with crazy teco-magical powers.”

Fizzy seemed unsure, though with her face covered, it was hard to tell. “Well, umm… it's, ya'know, like the usual. I’m just a normal wastelander, with normal… ummm, ya'know normal wasteland problems.”

Something was weird, not too long ago this mare was all bubbles and happiness, but now she was completely shutting down. Maybe we were coming on too hard, or she was worried we might do something. “It's okay, you don't have to tell us anything just yet. And don't worry about the Desperados, they're rough around the edges, but good ponies… mostly.”

“Hay, we're more than rough around the edges.” Live spoke up as she trotted in, Slowtrot and Bianca behind her. “Also, we got the new duds.”

“Transmission and Suspension were also pleased to get their dresses.” Slowtrot said. “But we may need to get one for Rack End.”

Live let out a sigh. “Ya, Mom may be a massive bitch, but she's still a Mare, and likes looking pretty now and then. So embarrassing.”

Jumping passed them, Bianca bounded to Fizzy and gave her a hug. “Miss Fizzy, you look like you again! And it's been so long, you must tell me where you've been for these last eight years?”

“Eight… years? But it's only been, like, a few months? And… um, is that really you Bianca?” Fizzy asked, sounding even more confused.

We all looked around at each other, with most eyes falling on me. So I took a deep breath and explained. “Sorry Fizzy, but when you returned to Platinum Hill with Slowtrot, you didn't just teleport, but you also got pulled through time as well. I guess Slowtrot got sent roughly around eight years into the past this time.”

There was a long pause as I was sure Fizzy was about to freak out. Yet we didn't expect how calm she ended up being about it. “Oh… Pecan is going to be so upset that I haven't contacted her!” She said in a very mild panic. As we just stared at her, Fizzy tilted her head for a moment, then clapped her hooves together as though she just released how serious this was. “Right, sorry. Pecan is my best friend back in Ursas Rest, I just promised to send her a letter now and then so that she wouldn't get worried.”

With a sigh, Bianca patted Fizzy on the head. “You really haven't changed at all Fizzy.”

“And you changed a lot!” Fizzy replied. “I mean, not only are you tot's bigger,” Fizzy then leaned in, as though getting a better look at the griffin. “But you're, like, beautiful too, ya'know! Like, you got hips now!”

Letting Fizzy go, Bianca stepped back and did a little twirl. “I'm even modeling for the boutique now, just like you did. Dad grumbles about it all the time, wanting me to learn some Talon skills, but guns are just, so ew. I mean, like, what does a mane clips and old magazines have to do with guns anyways?”

“Oh I know, and some ponies get so mad when you call those bullets holder thingies, like, bullet holder thingies.” Fizzy said in agreement.

I looked over at Star, who was face hoofing, saying, “the Gunrunners would have an aneurysm if they heard that.”

“I think I understand why Hartwin looked so frustrated, his daughter is exactly the kind of griffins he complained about.” Live chuckled out.

Clearing my throat and getting the attention of Fizzy and Bianca, I trotted up and asked. “Not to sound impatient, but can we see the clothing we ordered?

Bianca smiled and pulled off her saddlebag. “Oh yes, right here.” She proceeded to pull out five sealed packages, each with a name on them. “All refitted for each of you, and if any pony or griff asks where you got them, tell them the Hilltop Boutique made them.”

“Oh!” Fizzy then said loudly, trotting to her recently cleaned saddlebags, which were just two Sparkle-Cola coolers on a harness. “I almost forgot, you all should try this!” She opened a cooler and pulled out several Sparkle-Cola bottles. “I recovered these from the ruins, and their limited edition.”

“Oh no, not that!” Slowtrot gasped. We looked at him as he cringed. “That's Special Dark Sparkle-Cola, it was made during the last year of the war, and was rather controversial, as the owner of Sparkle-Cola said she'd never make alcoholic soda.”

Fizzy then giggled like a mad mare. “It's not just Special Dark, but Molly Manticore's Special Dark Cherry Sparkle-Cola, it has more sugar, more caffeine, and more alcohol. I only thought it was a legend, but look, I have the real thing, a find of the century! No! It's the greatest find of all pony kind!”

The dark, rocket shaped bottle had an image of a cartoon Manticor on it serving pizza. It made no sense to me, but seeing the cartoon pizza made me want some pineapple.

“Oh, right.” Bianca said with a sigh. “I'd forgotten how obsessed she is over her Sparkle-Cola.”

I could only face-hoof, as I knew having Fizzy with us was only going to get weirder and weirder.

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After Cherry recovered from what had to be a charm spell, she helped us get dressed, and get on our way. As a sorry gift, Fizzy gave her one of her Special Dark Cherry Sparkle-Cola's. We quickly confiscated the drink, as we were sure that there was more than alcohol in that drink that could harm her unborn foal.

Henbane was also offered the drink, but turned it down. As it turns out she doesn't like Sparkle-Cola, which confused Fizzy on how anypony would not like the drink.

I was a bit worried about going through the market again, not wanting to get my new clothes dirty, or its smell to linger on us, but Bianca knew a few shortcuts we could take.

Unfortunately the route she was taking us had an even worse smell to it.

“How can this city smell even worse!?” I complained.

“I know, but that's the tannery and candle makers for you, always has smelled bad, and always will. Luckily it's almost always downwind of the inner-city.” Bianca said, covering her own nostrils. “But this is our working district, so there's like, less ponies just mulling about here, and the workers keep thieves out, ya'know. Oh, and my father has a good relationship with the tannery and other businesses, so they don't mess around with me and my friends.”

She wasn't wrong, other than a few less well off ponies hanging out in the back allies, this part of the city was rather peaceful. Small workshops were all around the place, with most of them working on some craft or another made from Demon grass. Their hooves were chipped and worn down, some ponies looking absolutely unhealthy, but they didn't look like they had no hope, just determination to get their work done.

I also noticed several water distillers here, each one billowing out smoke as it boiled large drums of water. The smell of toxic burning grass mixed with the smell of burning shit, which explained why it was here of all places. There was also what had to be giant water filters that the ponies poured the untreated water through first… I think.

“It's, like, certainly grown since I left!” Fizzy comments. “Is mister Rawhide still around?”

Bianca shook her head. “He died years ago, spending too much time working in the tannery, ya'know. Why did you go out with him anyways, the stallion wasn't good looking, and rather poor. You could have any stallion you wanted, some were throwing themselves at you.”

Fizzy let out a sigh filled with longing. “He totally loved the sodas I made, like, actually liked them, not, like, pretending to like my sodas like the others. He was also nice to you, never talking behind your back, ya'know. Oh, and most of those stallions had partners already, like no way am I taking part in cheating.”

A smile formed on Fizzy’s face as she lightly ribbed Bianca. “How about you? Any griffin roosters?”

Bianca blushed, lightly pushing Fizzy back. “Oh, no way, ya'know. I'm waiting for, like, mister right. Anyways, like, you were the one who told me to not just give myself to anypony. Ya'know, value my body.”

Fizzy hugged her friend. “I'm happy to hear that.”

Something about how Fizzy spoke had a hint of desperation under a heavy helping of protectiveness. Knowing how bad other mares had it in the wasteland, I could only guess that she had been through more than she was willing to share. Something I was probably best not asking about.

The smell lessened as we trotted along, a breeze helping to push it away from us. Eventually reaching another gate, this time guarded by two power armored ponies that didn't quite look like Steel Ranger. They had glass bulbs on their shoulders and flanks, which magical sparks jumped across all the way to the horn on their helmets. Their armor itself was much more polished silver, with a rich royal purple talibard draped over their back, sides and front.

One of them turned their head to us as we approached, and from it was the clear voice of a mare. “Bianca, you do know your mother hates it when you come out to this part of the city.”

“It's fine Violet, I was just delivering a package for my father. See, I'm all safe. Oh, and look at who's back.” The young griffin stepped aside and presented Fizzy.

“Is that you Fizzy! Like, oh my Celestia, it's been, like, forever!” Violet practically squealed.

“Guard! Control yourself!” The other power armored pony said in a stern feminine voice, then looked down at our group. “As much as I like to let this reunion happen, but we're still on duty. Now state your reason for passage.”

Both Bianca and Fizzy looked a bit depressed for not being able to have their meet and greet, but I was thankful for not having to endure another mare who says “like” way too much.

“We've been invited by the Coven of Clovers, and wish to look around. I also hope to visit the tomb at the top.” I told the guard.

“Very well. Just don't stir up trouble and leave before sundown, the gate will be closed at night and trespassers will be fined.” the guard informed us. “Also, due to recent events, the tomb of Princess Platinum is closed. I'd advise visiting the Hilltop Diner for more information on the matter.”

“Closed, but why?” Star asked.

Violent let out an irritated huff. “Steel Rangers, that's probably why.”

“Guard, another word and you will be doing double shifts.” The other mare warned, then addressed us again. “As said, please visit the Hilltop Diner for more information. Platinum Guard squires are stationed there to answer any questions for the public.”

Leaving the two guards behind, we trotted back into the inner-city, where my nose was grateful to get away from the stench.

“They're a lot more chill than the tin cans.” Star said with a sigh. “It's a bit freaky actually.”

“Tin… cans?” Bianca asked.

“Steel Rangers. How do you not know that, everypony calls them tin cans.” Star answered in mild confusion.

“Well I, like, never heard that term before.” Bianca argued. “Anyways, their Platinum Guard, not Steel Rangers. They don't have that obsession over technology like the rangers, and recruit from the Inner-city.”

“The tin cans like to keep things within the family, if you know what I mean.” Live Axle said with a chuckle.

Both Bianca and Fizzy turned around with inquisitive looks on their faces, asking, “what do you, like, mean?”

“Ahh… nothing, nevermind.” Live quickly gave up and trotted ahead.

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Much like the market street of the Inner-city, the residential area was just as lovely and well built. Skilled brickwork, wooden frames, clean lye paint with thatched roofs on top of two story, sometimes even three story buildings. The residents here had small but lush gardens, with plenty of decorations that looked as though they were competing for whose garden has the most colors. I even saw several cats and dogs lying about, looking not just healthy, but a bit fat.

Fortunately Cavall had learned his lesson at Percussion Cap's farm, and didn't go chasing the cats. I doubted that the city cats could put up the same fight as the barn cats had, but even I knew to not underestimate a cat.

Several ponies did look at us suspiciously, but they were quick to get back to whatever they were doing, likely seeing us only as outsiders, but not troublemakers. It also became very apparent that unicorns vastly outnumbered any other pony here. I saw a few non-unicorns, but only some.

“How are you all even able to build all this?” I really had to ask.

Bianca scratched her beek, thinking for a long moment. “Uhhh.. history isn't, like, my thing. But I think it's because of the Platinum Guard. They kept order after the war, I think, so ponies were able to rebuild here. I know that recet trading has helped everything grow, such as all the white paint stuff is new.”

“Right, we did get a new tributary that's been making lye for us.” Live said. “We don't need much of it, so we let the town trade it out under our protection. Same for concrete, wood, and some other material that Platinum Hill just buys up. Really, most of that stuff we get just goes into maintaining our roads and fixing our vehicles.”

That sounded like the Desperados, they did like staying on the move. “If you maintain roads, then why was the road we took to the city just rocks and dirt?”

“Simply put, the demon grass is why. It breaks through everything that isn't over two hooves thick, or that's how it was explained to me.” Live answered.

“Right, the materials needed to make roads that thick for this region must be astronomical.” I commented.

“Some have tried.” Bianca cherped up. “Like, using really big rocks, or like, lots of bricks. So far, only the road between Platinum Hill and Umberfoal has been successfully paved, but thats like, not a long road.”

Curious, I asked, “Umberfoal, I've heard that before, is it a settlement?”

“Town actually, pre-war too.” Live answered. “It has one of the few surviving bridges in the Grand Prairie, and is also a port for ponies traveling along the river from or to Friendship City. It's also Swift's home base, and why he has authority here.”

It started to make sense why that brutish stallion had any influence here. “So, if he ever wanted, he could stop almost all trade here.”

“E'yep, but that could cause the third Steel Ranger, Desperados war. Of which Elder Big Papa rather not have happened.” live further explained.

I didn't feel surprised that the two had been at war with each other before, or that they were itching for another one soon.

As we trotted, the smell of mint tickled on my nose, along with lavender and other floral smells. Curiously sniffing the air, I trotted ahead of my group and rounded a corner. There was another wall, higher than the ones that separated the houses, but it was made of wood, living wood. Somehow, the wall was a cross pattern of pruned branches all grown into themselves and with vines interwoven within it. Beyond that could see several white trees with black spots poking up from the other side of the wall. They were tall enough that I could even see baskets with plants growing inside, hanging from the trunks and branches.

From the other side I could also hear music: a flute, a harp, a lout, and a small drum, all in harmony as they played simple tunes.

My pipbuck crackled as Order spoke through it. “Care to see the other side, my lady?”

“Do it.” I told Order.

On my pipbucks screen I saw four ponies playing their music, and another obscured by a large hat. A few other ponies were busy tending to the large garden, and one other was reading a book to several unicorn foals.

Orders feed then crackled, and the view shifted, now looking at the mare whose face was obscured by what was a comically large floppy hat. “You do know it's rude to spy.”

With a flash, Order appeared next to me alongside a hooded pony, my drones propellers buzzed as he spun around in an attempt to correct itself. “Error my lady, error!”

I sighed. “Power down Order.” I commanded and it did just that. “Sorry for spying, I got a bit ahead of myself.”

Weeping Willow pulled back her hood, with only a little sign of emotion on her face. “It's of little concern to us. We aren't some secret organization like the other unicorn enclaves. But we do prefer you to go through the front door, as manners are important.”

“Hay Weeping!” Fizzy called out, trotting over to give the other unicorn a hug. “How's Mag doing?”

Weeping let out a very annoyed sigh. “Why always the hugging, Fizzy? And don't call her Mag, she is eather Elder, or Mistress Magnificence. Now let me go.”

But Fizzy just hugged harder. “But I heard I'm missing eight years, and that's eight years of hugs to catch up on!”

“I got a husband to do that with Fizzy, so now let me go.” The poor mare was looking sick in Fizzy’s hold, as though allergic to her touch. Weeping looked so uncomfortable that even her mane started to curl, of which her hidden pink highlights poked out, looking just like Fizzy’s.

Actually, both mares looked very similar. Not like sisters, but possibly relatives.

“Oh, all right.” Fizzy relented, letting Weeping go. “You said you have foals, can I see them? I bet they're adorable?”

Again Weeping sighed. “Just… just follow me, Elder Magnificence is waiting for you all.”

She trotted off, and we followed. Leaning over to Bianca, I asked, “So what's the deal with Fizzy and Weeping?”

Bianca smirked. “Weeping was also one of our other models years back, got forced into it by her mother. Weeping absolutely, like, loves the color black, and being all depressed and stuff, so her mom hoped, like, modeling would snap her out of it. I think Fizzy mistaked Willow's personality as somepony that needs extra love, and did everything to cheer her up. Hugs every day, free soda that was extra sweet, oh and, like, dating advice. From how Willow put it, it was the most torturous time of her life.”

“She certainly doesn't wear much black anymore.” I commented.

“Just not when working.” Bianca said with a chuckle. “She's our best customer, like, always orders custom outfits from dad. Always black, and even, like, really spicy lingerie.“

Lingerie? As in underwear. I'll need to remember that for later.

Rounding another corner, we could see the entrance, it being a large gateway, decorated with basket filled flowers and other plants. Also at the gateway to the Coven of Clovers was several ponies, including a Steel Ranger and a Platinum Guard, who were arguing loud enough for us to hear from where we were.

“Again, maybe this situation wouldn't happen if you stopped letting those savages into this city!” The ranger bellowed.

A nearby and chubby unicorn rubbed his temples. “I know and agree, Star Paladin, but then who is going to patrol the roads? I don't see the steel rangers pitching in, and I know the Platinum Guard don't have the numbers to do that and safeguard the inner-city.”

The Guard let out a very annoyed huff, then spoke in masculine and regal voice. “The Desperados are only a problem because the rangers are making them a problem. We've had a cordial relationship with the Desperados long before the wasteland, and even now it's mutually beneficial. Yes, Warchief Swift Firemane is an ass, but just a few days ago one of their elders had arrived.”

“Like we'll ever respect the authority of a mutie savage, or his inbread savage offspring!” the Ranger growled. “This place is one of the few remaining untainted pockets of civilization, and to let those rock banngers even outside the gate is an insult! The Desperados, and the horde of leeches that followed them here are a danger to everything we all built, it's only a matter of time until they burn everything to the ground like they've done with the rest of Equestria.”

Weeping trotted ahead of us, addressing the ranger. “Star Paladin Tiramisu, how many times have you been told to not start shouting outside our front gate!” A broom then appeared next to Weeping, whom she then hit the Steel Ranger with on the head. “This is a place of learning, not a debate hall. The elder will see you when she wishes, not when you demand it!” She then turned to the portly stallion. “And Mayor Morning Mist! Stop letting the rangers drag you around, it's disgraceful for a pony in your position. Now the two of you begone, or we will be forced to make you leave.”

“Not until I see your Elder!” Ranger tiramisu growled.

“It's… it's just that… well… the city council meeting wouldn't be the… well, the best place to have this… discussion, ya'know.” Mayor Morning Mist nervously stammered out.

“Is it because the Desperados will be sitting in on the discussion?” I asked as I trotted over.

I could feel Tiramisu’s glare through their helmet. “You, you're the one who tampered with my Knights armor!”

“Self defense, and that's all I have to say.” I then looked back at my friends, and told them, “and we'll say nothing more!”

“Of course, you savages already have a limited vocabulary, so I never expect more than grunts from your kind.” Tiramisu said with spite as they then trotted away.

I then turned to the mayor, and put on my best political smile. “Mayor Morning Mist was it? I'm sure if you have any complaints about the Desperados, I can relay them straight to Elder Big Papa. Or, I can take you straight to him, and you can tell him directly.”

The mayor looked even more nervous. “No, no, I can wait untill the city council. No need to stir the pot so soon. And I look forward to meeting this Elder Big Papa, he sounds like a reasonable stallion.”

We watched as the mayor quickly made his exit, waddling away.

“Another spineless politician.” I said with a hiff. “It's like they’re a different species of pony or something.”

“Funny that, Elder Magnificence says the same thing.” Willow said before turning her attention to the Platinum Guard. “Let me introduce you to my husband, knight captain Gold Leaf.”

His helmet made a hissing noise as he removed it, revealing a rather handsome unicorn stallion. He had a nearly golden mane with a dark blue, almost black cote. “Thanks for the save honey. I rushed over as soon as I heard the Star Paladin stomping this way, but I didn't expect him to drag the mayor over as well.”

“No, it's fine. Just having that fool stopped at our gate is enough. If Tiramisu had made it inside it would have been ten times harder to get him to leave.” Weeping said as she rested her head on her husband's armor. “At least with Elder Arras here, things might finally start to calm down.”

“I don't know honey.” Gold Leaf sounded more than just doubtful as he spoke. “The Rangers have been wanting this fight ever since they were driven out of Umberfoal, and it's only gotten worse since their schism. As much as I respect Steel Hoove, doing what he did and then dying on everypony, it only made things worse for ponies like us.”

“I know dear, I know.” Willow said as she tapped lovingly on her husband's armor. “But I trust that things will be alright. You are here for us after all. Now get going, you know how your sister gets when you're away from your post for too long.”

Gold Leaf kissed his wife on the cheek before putting his helmet back on, then looked my way. “Thanks for keeping the situation from escalating at the market gate, be sure we'll be keeping a closer eye over there from now on.”

As the Platinum Guard trotted off, Weeping Willow motioned for us to enter the Coven of Clovers. “Enough standing out here, let's get inside and have some tea now will we.”

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