Chapter 9 - Faith Has Been Denied

My... name's Lollipop Hearts, I'm twenty years old.

I been out cold, who knows how long, bleedin' out like this, it's a nightmare.

Slowly, the sunlight's creepin' in, my eyes creakin' open, wakin' up again, but part of me just don't wanna, this pain, it's just too much.

Can't see Stardust 'round, that girl... she wouldn't ditch me, no way, she'd be lost without me, bet she's out there somewhere, tryna find help or somethin'.

All I hear's the wind howlin' through this broken window and my own breathin', heavy and labored. This part of Baltimare's like a ghost town, overrun with mutants, ain't no ponies left here, not a soul.

Can't even drag myself to find help if I wanted to, the bullets tearin' me up inside, every move's agony.

Damn it! Can't believe I'm gonna bite it like this, alone and bleedin' out.

Stardust, you're my only shot, hurry back, I don't think I'll last the night, blood's still leakin' outta me.

I shifted my gaze to the right, tryin' to move a bit. Can't stand sittin' still for hours, feelin' like I'm trapped in my own body.

Tried to roll onto my side, but every movement's like knives slicin' through me. My body's a damn prison right now.

Extended my left front hoof a little, but everything's blurry, seein' double, or even triple. I'm in a real bad way.

Those fuckin' Enclave bastards and their messed-up beliefs... they gonna pay for this. Had to help those ponies, couldn't just sit there and watch 'em die. Had to go against orders, yeah, but sittin' idle woulda been worse.

Forcin' me to bear a Dashite brand? Hell no, ain't lettin' that shit touch my cutie mark, it's sacred to me, pure.

Earned it with heart, even if I ain't the type to show it much. Still got feelings, still do what I reckon's right.

Mom... Sugar, you were a lousy mother. Always wanted to say it, but never had the guts. I know how you are, always puttin' the Enclave above everything, even me.

But right now, I'm stuck, feelin' like I'm on the verge of shoutin' in anger, but strong mares never shed tears. Managed to hold 'em back like I always do.

Can't show no weakness, not even when I'm alone. I'm tough, and I know I can fight my way outta this mess. Just need Stardust to bust through that damn door and bring me what I need.

Though I can't help but feel a bit guilty for sendin' her to that hospital by herself. No other choice, really. If I'd gone with her, I'd just be a burden.

Ain't got the strength to even spread my wings, and this armor's makin' me sweat buckets.

Took three shots, reckon the cooling system's shot to hell too. Couldn't things get any worse?

Was bound to get shot, it was Meteora against me, no backup in sight.

But who needs backup when you're strong and brave, right?

It's somethin' else, ain't it? When you start thinkin' for yourself, don't matter if they're kin or kin, folks turn on ya quick just 'cause you don't toe the line.

Winter, we were s'posed to be tight, why'd you shoot me? Your own foalhood buddy? Just 'cause I disobeyed orders? All I wanted was to help them ponies, that's it.

Never really gave two shits 'bout my folks, they treated me like dirt. But you, Winter, you was the only one who saw me for me.

Then you found out they was gonna brand me a Dashite, and you turned on me like that.

Well, screw you! Meteora, my folks, and Crimson Flash too.

When I off Crimson, you're next, ya dumb bitch.

Thinkin' 'bout all the things I wanna do but can't 'cause I'm hurt just makes me angrier.

If Stardust don't come, I'll have to do somethin' on my own. There's gotta be somethin' in this house I can use to dig them bullets outta my body. I know it'll be excruciatin' and risky, but I'm sick of lyin' here in my own blood.

Tried movin' to the right, tryna build up some momentum to get outta bed, but I couldn't. Movin' was agony.

What if I try movin' my front hooves first?

Placed one hoof on the edge of the bed, tried to shift my body forward and get out. Hurt like havin' fifty knives buried in me.

Tears threatened to spill, but strong mares don't cry. Gotta hold 'em back no matter what.

Managed to get almost half my body outta bed. Just a li'l more... gotta resist the pain, push through it.

Took thirty-second breaks 'fore continuin' with this torture. Ain't likin' it, but gotta realize patience'll be key to survivin' this.

Not just dealin' with the pain, but also the weight of my emotions. Desperation's becomin' another enemy against me.

I let myself fall forward, my stomach already startin' to slide off the bed. Just need a li'l more strength, and I'll finally be outta this damn bed.

Don't know why I thought I could do anything in this miserable state. Movin' around a whole house with these injuries ain't a smart move, but what else can I do?

Just need to get my back hooves movin', and I can get off. Just a li'l more.

Took a short breath and started pushin' real hard, doin' my best to ignore the pain.

Thought I'd made some progress, but nothin'. Barely moved an inch.

"Shit!" I cursed, slammin' a hoof on the ground. This situation is so damn frustratin'.

My gaze instinctively turned back, and I saw the quilt, once white, now soaked red with my blood. Seein' how much I've lost got me a little worried. Panic ain't in my system, but my mind kept forcing me to face the reality of all I’ve bled out.

If it gets dark, if night comes, I know I’ll die from blood loss. If that happens, ain't nopony gonna cry for me when I'm gone...

No! It don’t matter if nopony cares 'bout my death. I’m a strong mare, and I’ll stay that way 'til the end of my days.

I think... I'll rest for a bit, maybe three minutes tops. Can't let myself dwell on how fast time's flyin' by.

I laid my head on the cold floor, it gave me some comfort. There were bugs crawlin' around the room, but I couldn't care less. As long as they ain't Radroaches, I’m fine.

I closed my eyes, tryin' to relax. Sighed a few times to calm myself down. Part of me wanted to get back in bed, lay my head on a soft pillow. Another part wanted me to stay put, keep my head on the floor, even as my head started to ache.

If I were a unicorn, things would be simpler. Could use levitation to move without all this pain. Unicorns are lucky sons of bitches.

My body felt wet, soaked from the amount of blood pooling inside my armor. They really messed me up.

But what could I do? It was just me against an entire army. I would've loved to kill them all, but that was unlikely. I had to get out of there.

I'm almost off the bed... just a little more...

Extending a front hoof on the floor, I pushed my body forward. Finally, I got off the bed, my back hooves colliding with the edge. I didn't get hurt since my armor covers my entire body, except my head. No helmet, of course.

Seeing how much time had passed and realizing I could barely move a few inches made me understand that moving through the house in this condition was impossible.

It's like I got a voice tellin' me I won't get outta this alive.

It's like a whirlwind inside my head, spinnin' me around.

It's like fate's constantly testin' my toughness, pushin' me to my limits.

It's like the whole world's against me, waitin' for me to fall.

The only thing I can do now is lie back in my misery.

I ain't never cried in my life, ain't never shown feelings that make me look like a weakling, and I ain't plannin' to do so now. I won't, even if I'm alone, dyin', I won't cry. Cryin' don't exist for me.

My ears perked up in surprise when I heard the sound of a door opening. Finally, finally, I might get outta this unbearable sufferin'.

"Who... who's there?" I asked, needin' to be sure it was Stardust. She probably didn't say nothin' 'cause she thought I was still unconscious.

"Oh, Lollipop, you finally woke up." That voice, it's definitely Stardust. 'Bout time she came. I wonder what took her so long.

Stardust quickly rushed towards the room. Her hoofsteps got louder and louder, but I also sensed a strange smell. What had happened?

The smell grew stronger, a strange, familiar scent that I couldn't quite place.

When Stardust stood in the doorway, I looked up with the little strength I had left. She was wearing an anti-radiation suit. Where did she get that from? She was stained red—was it blood? She was almost completely covered. How many mutations had she faced to get here?

"Lollipop, I have what you asked for—the bandages, tweezers, and painkillers," Stardust said, levitating everything with her magic. Looked like not all hope was lost after all.

When she saw me on the floor, her calm tone shifted to concern. "And why the bloody hell aren't you in bed?" she asked.

"I don't have to explain to you. I ain't your daughter. Now get me back to bed and take these bullets outta me. I can't stand havin' garbage in my body no more," I responded, frustration lacing my words as I raised my trembling front hoof.

"You don't have to talk to me like that, I'm helping you," Stardust said, lifting me up with her magic and placing me back on the bed slowly. "You can't imagine everything that happened to me in that bleedin' hospital..." Her voice was breaking as she spoke, and she looked down at her front hooves with glassy eyes.

"I'm frustrated because I can't stand having these fucking bullets in my body. Do you know what it's like to be shot three times at close range?" I snapped at Stardust. It seemed like we were back to the same old thing. I couldn't believe that after surviving, she was still a crybaby.

Stardust started to sob, wanting to wipe her eyes with a hoof but unable to because of her suit.

"And why don't you take off that fucking suit? It smells horrible," I demanded, realizing the origin of the smell. It was definitely from that suit. I didn't know what liquid she had gotten into, but that smell was driving me crazy.

"I do not want to talk about that!" Stardust shouted, slamming a hoof against the ground angrily and closing her eyes. Something must have happened there. Should I care? I wasn't sure if I could keep her with me if she kept behaving this way.

I looked at the ceiling while Stardust stared at the floor. We both looked like we were going through hell.

What really bothers me is that my life has to depend on a crybaby. She's the complete opposite of what I expect from a pony: scared, crying, sensitive—everything I've been taught not to feel. That's why I find this mare so annoying.

And even worse, I have to be her foalsitter, take her to Sparkle-World. I know there's one in Baltimare, but I don't know how far it is. I estimate we could get there in four days, depending on the shit we encounter on the way.

How I hate owing favors, but what other option do I have?

"Look, Stardust, I have an idea. Tell me what happened in that hospital while you take out the bullets, okay? Something bad must have happened to you. I can see it in your eyes. I can't take you and teach you how to survive if you don't have a calm and relaxed mind. You could get us both killed, so please, tell me what happened," I tried to explain to Stardust. She didn't react. She stood there without saying or doing anything. What's wrong with her?

There was an awkward silence for four seconds. I hate awkward silences, but they’re normal in these situations.

"I... I don't want to talk about that. I won't take off the suit either, if that's what you're also suggesting," Stardust said in a low voice. It was as if it were an experience she was trying to forget but couldn't, still invading her mind.

"Why not? You can't smell it, but I can. Your suit smells horrible. What liquid did you get into?" I asked. The smell was getting more and more intense. If she wasn't going to take it off, I at least wanted to know where she had been, so I wouldn't have so much fire in my head.

"I was swimming in a red liquid, but if you say it smells bad, it must definitely be blood," Stardust said, lifting the tweezers with her magic. I guess she was preparing to remove the bullets from me.

I sniffed a few times, but that smell was different. It didn't smell like regular blood, the kind you get when you get hurt. It had a similar smell to when I had my period. Period blood has endometrial tissue, mucosa, and vaginal secretions, making the smell more intense and distinctive.

"Stardust, don't even think about coming near me in that fucking suit. That suit has menstrual blood on it. Take it off now!" I said with disgust and frustration. This raised many questions in my head. Why the hell would there be a pool or whatever full of menstrual blood? What the hell does this mean?

"What...what are you talking about? It can't be...how could it be menstrual blood?" Stardust asked, stepping back. She shared the same confusion as me.

"What the hell do I know? You were the one who lived that experience. Do me a favor and take off that suit," I said with frustration. Whatever happened, I won't let her touch me with that disgusting suit.

Stardust didn't want to take off that suit. I could tell by the way her eyes darted around, looking everywhere but at me. She was hugging herself like that suit had some deep meaning to her.

"Stardust, please. We don't know if that suit is contaminated," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I have no idea what happened, but I need you to take off that fucking suit." I coughed up blood again, watching a drop splatter on my armor. "I'm dying, Stardust. Please... take it off." I couldn't believe I was doing this, practically begging her, but I tried to stay calm to motivate her a little.

I saw her hesitation. She looked like she was on the edge of breaking, but she still wasn't moving. I needed to get through to her, make her understand how serious this was.

"Stardust, look at me. I'm covered in my own blood, fighting to stay alive, and you're my only hope. Whatever happened in that hospital, whatever you're scared of, it doesn't matter right now. What matters is getting these bullets out of me before it's too late."

Her eyes finally met mine, filled with a mix of fear and uncertainty. I took a deep breath, pushing through the pain, and tried to reach her one last time.

"Please, Stardust. Do it for me, for us. Take off the suit and let's get through this together."

The room was filled with tension, the air heavy with the smell of blood and fear. I waited, hoping that she would find the strength to do what needed to be done.

"I don't know, Lollipop... things have happened to me. I don't know if I should tell you. I'm embarrassed, and I don't want to talk about it," Stardust said. This situation was getting more complicated. The only thing I could think of was for her to tell me what happened so she could calm down by releasing her frustration.

"Stardust, you need to tell me what happened. If you don't, I won't be able to help you. We'll get out of this together, okay? But think about what'll happen if I die—you'll be left alone with nopony to help you," I said, trying to get comfortable in bed. Having my body still for so long was really uncomfortable.

"What happened is..." Stardust's whole body was shaking, like she was cold, but I knew it was fear as she remembered whatever had happened. "I was ra—" Stardust stopped mid-sentence. I wanted to yell at her, but I held back. She was starting to piss me off, but I could understand her hesitation.

"What? What were you going to say?" I asked, sighing several times to keep my patience.

"I was raped, Lollipop! That thing raped me!" Stardust shouted, collapsing to the ground, trying to cover her eyes in vain. The helmet of her suit prevented her from really covering her face.

I was left in momentary shock when Stardust mentioned that she was raped. A pulse surged inside me, making me move unconsciously.

Now I understood why she didn't want to take off that suit. A wave of rage washed over me; whoever did this to Stardust would have to deal with me.

"Who was it, Stardust? Tell me who it was, and I swear I'll blow his fucking head off," I vowed. I didn’t know what was happening to me, but I felt like an older sister defending her. I had to do something, right? I’ve dealt with these kinds of ponies before, and I enjoy putting a bullet in their skulls.

Stardust was sobbing on the floor. It was hard for her to speak, and I could tell that talking must be torture, but it was necessary if we wanted to solve this once and for all.

"It's dead... It was a monster with tentacles. It touched me with its disgusting tentacles," Stardust said, refusing to look at me. She felt humiliated, her body desecrated. She hit the wooden floor with a hoof.

"You mean the Hospital Horrors? Those sons of bitches try to implant eggs inside mares... I didn't imagine any of those creatures were still alive..." Damn, this was just what I needed. What the fuck am I going to do?

The only thing I could think of was to try to calm her down. Maybe that would work. The last thing I wanted now was for her to cry.

It sounds selfish of me, but my life is at stake. We can't waste any more time. Later, we can resolve this and help her overcome her trauma.

"Stardust, listen to me. It's gone, and it can't hurt you anymore. We need to focus on getting these bullets out of me so we can get out of here. We'll deal with everything else later, okay?" I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Stardust even had a hard time nodding her head. She continued to shake like it was winter and she had nothing to cover herself.

Slowly, she started taking off her suit, beginning with her helmet. Before she continued, I realized I needed to warn her about something important.

"Stardust, when you take off your suit, don't touch it. Use your magic or something, but don't touch it with your hooves. It could be infected," I warned her. I didn't know exactly what had happened in that hospital, but the fact that she was covered in menstrual blood raised more questions in my head.

So many things were happening at once. It was giving me a headache. I was hurt, the pony I had to take care of had been raped, she came here with a suit infected with menstrual blood, and she was traumatized. I had to calm her down. Ugh!

I put a hoof to my head. I knew that if I let the stress take over, we wouldn’t get anywhere and we'd just keep going around in circles.

It was a wonderful fucking day. I just needed a meteorite to fall on my head...

I did my breathing exercises to keep myself in check. If I let my emotions play against me, this would get even worse. I needed to calm down...

Stardust was taking off her suit, sobbing. The sounds she made made me feel sad for her situation. I was sure she must still have those images in her head, tormenting her... Such a young pony, who would only experience that on her first day...

I'm so sorry, Stardust. I admit that this was my fault for sending you to that hospital, but I had no other options, okay?! I would have been a nuisance if I had accompanied you... We could both have died because you would have to be taking care of me all the time.

I wasn't justifying myself. I wasn't! I knew what I was doing by sending Stardust alone.

Everything turned out worse than I had planned, but on the bright side, could you call it that? The thing is that she is still alive, and with what I asked of her, I must admit that she has some courage. She does...

I can already imagine all the shit we're gonna go through together, no doubt about that... I'll do whatever it takes to toughen her up, no sensitivities, no tears, no feelings that make her look like a weakling.

Stardust, still not saying anything, took the suit to the living room. As for the bandages, tweezers, and painkillers, she left them on the nightstand in the room.

Finally, I could have some peace of mind. That horrible smell was pissing me off. Now I just gotta tell her what she needs to do.

But yeah, that's another obstacle. Stardust doesn't know jack about medical procedures, let alone removing a bullet. I'll have to be real patient with her.

I gotta be careful. If I lose my cool and start yelling, she'll probably break down in tears. My patience's gonna be key if I wanna wrap this up quick.

I glanced at the ground and saw Stardust's bag. Left it there, didn't I? But how the hell does she fit her weapons in that tiny thing?

Not like it matters now. Got bigger fish to fry. Though, for a sec, I thought a little distraction might help. Nah, gotta focus on sorting this out with Stardust.

Stardust came back after ditchin' that suit somewhere, and by her face, I could tell she didn't feel like chattin'. Can't blame her.

I'll try not to poke her with questions or say anything that makes her gotta respond. Just gonna stick to givin' her instructions.

She ambled over, draggin' a chair with her magic. Must've snagged it from downstairs. Guess she ain't keen on sittin' on that filthy floor.

Stardust plopped down, floating the items I asked for. "What should I do first? I ain't exactly a doctor..." she mumbled, droopin' her head. Eyes darted around, prob'ly reminded her of the nightmare she went through.

"Hold on, gotta strip off this armor first... Should've thought of it sooner, I guess. Bit of a klutz sometimes," I said, tryna lighten the mood. Didn't seem to help much, though. Stardust was still the same, and I reckon this ain't gonna be easy.

With a tremblin' hoof, I touched the button on my armor, causin' it to split open in two parts.

I was surprised by how much blood had pooled in there... my hooves, stomach, and chest were drenched in crimson. My coat was stained deep red.

But I'm a tough mare. Bein' bathed in my own blood should be terrifyin', but it don't faze me, not even with these serious injuries.

Stardust, on the other hoof, reacted in silent shock. She brought both hooves to her mouth, clearly freaked out by my dyin' state.

I figured it was best to keep quiet 'bout it and just focus on gettin' better. The sooner, the better.

"Relax, Stardust. You're gonna see stuff like this a lot... It'd be best if I didn't move so much. I need you to hoof me the painkillers. They'll help me deal with the pain when you start pullin' out them bullets. But it'll take a bit for 'em to kick in," I told Stardust, settlin' my hoof back on the bed, feelin' it tremble. Just movin' it hurt a mite.

Stardust nodded silently, usin' her magic to pop the lid off the painkillers and ease one toward my mouth. "Just one for now. If it still hurts, I could take another," I instructed, and Stardust shook the bottle till a pill popped out. I opened my mouth, and she dropped it in, swallowin' it down like one of Mom's home-cooked meals.

Then she raised the tweezers, figurin' she could get started. "Can I start pullin' 'em out now?" Stardust asked, glancin' to her left, her face lookin' all gloomy and down. I don't reckon I've seen her crack a smile since I met her.

"Not yet. Might take a while for the pills to do their thing... See? That's why I said we couldn't afford to waste time," I replied to Stardust. She likely thought this'd be a quick job. But alas, no such luck. I'd love for it to be that simple, but it ain't.

Stardust tried to let out a fake sigh of annoyance, but I caught it clear as day with my keen ears.

I don't give a hoot if she did it. I'm just as keen to get out of this mess pronto. But we gotta be patient, no two ways about it.

I reckon now might be a good time to have a little chat with Stardust. Maybe if I open up a bit, it'll help her deal with what she's been through.

"Stardust, how about we have a little chat? I'll tell you more about myself, and you just listen, alright? You probably wanna know who gave me these wounds and how I ended up in this sorry state," I suggested to Stardust, putting what little strength I had into speakin'. I had to do somethin'. I reckon I can handle it. I wanna help her out.

Stardust just nodded, her gaze fixed on the floor, her bangs makin' it even harder to see her eyes.

"Well, I was born in a city in the sky, it's called Meteora. Some cities in Equestria got their own sky cities, and Baltimare ain't no exception. Meteora's 'bout forty minutes from here, I reckon, but all I know for sure is I flew for a good while tryin' to escape the city," I said, shiftin' my body towards the soft bed. Lyin' on top of the armor was startin' to feel mighty uncomfortable, so I found a clean spot on the bed and nestled myself in.

"I don't know if you know 'bout the enclave, but I've been a pegasus enclave soldier since I was seventeen. My job was to keep the city safe and make sure nopony tried to steal, attack, or make contact with the surface ponies. Only us soldiers were allowed down there, 'cause all the tech and supplies exchanges happened on the surface," I continued, takin' a moment to swallow. "I broke one of them rules, though. I made contact with surface ponies without permission. Helped a group of survivors escape from the Twin Ghouls. They're these two-headed ghouls joined by twin foals. Pretty common sight in the wasteland. Gives you an idea of what we might run into on the way," I explained, turnin' my gaze towards Stardust. "I ain't tellin' you this to scare you, just so you know what's out there. But don't worry, I'll protect ya, alright?"

"Uh huh," Stardust mumbled, lifting her head slightly towards me. Her mane swayed in the breeze driftin' in from the cracked window.

"Why's helpin' ponies such a bad thing in the enclave? I don't get why there'd be a rule like that," she queried, her confusion mirroring my own.

"Well, since them bombs fell, the pegasi decided to be their own tribe, cut off from the rest of Equestria. They built cities in the sky all over the place. It's strictly forbidden to have any contact with the surface. All they care 'bout is gettin' their hoof on advanced tech to keep their society goin', even if it means stayin' isolated," I explained, a bitter chuckle escapin' my lips. "Always seemed downright foolish to me. I wasn't 'bout to just stand by and let them ghouls slaughter them survivors. Sometimes you gotta break the rules for a good cause... Don't regret what I did, even though I lost what little respect my parents and my best friend had for me," I trailed off, feelin' a mix of sentimentality and rage as the memories resurfaced.

Stardust looked taken aback by my words. She moved closer to the edge of the bed, placin' both front hooves on the edge. My mention of my folks and my friend seemed to weigh heavy on her mind. Seems she's got a lot of empathy in her, which ain't a bad thing.

"I don't reckon myself as no hero, I just do what I reckon is right, ya know?" I murmured softly, contemplatin' what would've happened if I hadn't intervened, if I'd let 'em perish.

At times, I pondered what'd be worse: livin' with the guilt of their deaths gnawin' at me, or stickin' with my old life, with my folks and the only friend I had. But truth be told, I reckon I made the right call. They're replaceable, in the grand scheme of things. I can build new bonds on the surface, way more than I ever could up in fuckin' Meteora.

Ain't no doubt in my mind they're comin' after me. And if they're gunnin' for me, so be it. I done turned into the most wanted criminal in Meteora. Come at me, if you dare. I'll take down every last one of ya.

"I reckon life in the enclave cities must be a whole mess... I've been cooped up in that Stable since the day I was born, but it ain't like I mind it none. To me, it's like paradise. But still... it blows my mind how different the wasteland is compared to the peace and quiet of Stable Fifty," Stardust mused, her head resting on her front hooves, perched on the edge of the unstained part of the bed.

"Believe me, you got a whole lot to learn. That there's just a smidge of how tough it is out here in the wasteland. But hey, the trip to Sparkle-World oughta give ya a taste. Ain't just about havin' a blast in the park, ya know. You'll rack up plenty of stories to tell your folks and pals," I replied with a grin, feelin' a weight lift off my chest. The tension in the air was finally easin' up, and it felt like a breath of fresh air.

"You're spot-on there... but with you by my side, I reckon I'll be alright. When you brought up them Twin Ghouls, it sent a shiver down my spine just picturin' 'em. How do they even attack? I ain't keen on crossin' paths with 'em, or any other mutation for that matter," Stardust inquired, her voice tinged with unease.

"First off, we're gonna run into all sorts of ghouls and mutations, remember that. As for them Twin Ghouls, when they spot ya, they point with one of their hooves, like they're sayin', 'You're next.' But they don't utter a word, and that's what's downright unnervin'," I explained frankly, knowin' I had to be straight with her. Couldn't sugarcoat it and make her think this journey was gonna be a walk in the park.

Stardust lifted her head from the bed, huggin' herself as if she was feelin' a chill run down her spine. "Blimey... Lollipop, I need ya to protect me from those buggers. Don't want 'em layin' a hoof on me, you get it?"

"Trust me, I will. But I can't be watchin' over ya every second. You gotta learn to fend for yourself too," I asserted, raisin' a hoof and pointin' it in Stardust's direction.

I made an attempt to sit up on the bed by myself, noticing that the burning sensation in my body had started to subside. Seemed like them painkillers finally kickin' in, 'cause I ain't feelin' as much pain as before.

"Alright, Stardust, you can start pullin' out them bullets. Begin with the one in my hock," I directed, stretchin' out my left front hoof. Damn... it felt awful, like I'd turned into one of them changelings with holes in their hooves.

Stardust nodded and lifted them tweezers with her magic. "Ain't it gonna hurt?" she inquired, lookin' worried. I reckon she ain't keen on hearin' me hollerin' in pain, but I ain't one to scream from hurtin'. I save that for when I'm really riled up.

"Might sting a bit, but don't fret none about it. I've been hurt plenty before, just never this bad," I assured her, lowerin' my hoof for a brief moment before raisin' it again. "But let's get on with it, it's better than havin' them bullets still lodged inside me."

Stardust, her hooves shakin' like leaves in a storm, guided them tweezers toward my wound with all the caution in the world. When she finally managed to insert the tip into my flesh, a jolt of pain shot through me, makin' me instinctively twitch my hoof. But I had to hold it steady, no matter how much it burned.

Her face twisted in disgust, it was clear she ain't used to this kind of thing. Probably ain't seen nothin' worse than a scraped knee from trippin' over somethin' back in her safe lil' world.

That realization made me feel a twinge of sympathy for her. If she's gonna help me, I gotta be patient. The responsibility falls on her to follow my lead.

But I gotta stay still too. Any sudden movements could make it worse.

Damn! The tweezers diggin' into my flesh felt like fire, but I gotta tough it out. Gotta shut my eyes and wait for Stardust to pull out that bullet.

With my eyes half open, I noticed Stardust was lookin' away, tryin' to avoid seein' the gory details of extractin' the bullet. "Stardust... I know it's unpleasant, but I need you to focus on what you're doin'. You could hurt me," I told her through clenched teeth.

"But I can't stand the sound... the way the tweezers scrape inside your wound, yuck!" Stardust said, stickin' out her tongue in disgust.

"I get it, but you gotta fight it and concentrate. You don't wanna kill me, right? No? Then pay attention. You've already got the bullet, you just need to pull it out. Do it slowly and carefully," I urged her. Damn, this is what happens when you ask somepony who ain't a doctor to do a doctor's job.

I closed my eyes completely, tryin' to endure the pain as Stardust struggled with the tweezers. She was bein' gentle, but it still felt like my whole body was on fire.

"Fuck! This hurts like hell," I muttered, diggin' my hooves into the bed, my body tense with pain.

"There you have it, just take it out carefully," I said, my voice strained. I felt the tweezers grip the bullet firmly and start to pull. The sensation was like a white-hot poker bein' dragged through my flesh.

Stardust was breathin' heavily, her magic quiverin' as she slowly drew the bullet out. I could hear the faint squelch of flesh partin' around the metal, each millimeter an agonizin' journey. The pain was intense, radiatin' from my arm through my whole body.

Finally, with a wet, sickly pop, the bullet was free. Stardust's face was pale, her eyes wide with a mix of horror and relief. She held the bullet up, her hooves still shakin' but steadyin' a bit as the worst part was over.

"Good job, Stardust. Now we just need to clean the wound and bandage it up," I said, my voice a bit calmer, but still strained. "You've done great. Now let's finish this up so we can both rest a bit."

"I'll go see if there's clean water in this digs," Stardust said, exiting the room. It was a smart move for her to go. All I could do was try not to move too much or make sudden movements.

We were scarce on medical supplies, but I figured clean water would do the trick to keep my wound from goin' sour.

"If there's clean water, bring back as much as you can! I still got two more bullets in me," I called out after her, my voice a bit louder. I ran my tongue over my dry lips, realizin' I hadn't had a drink in who knows how long.

I lost sight of Stardust, reckon she's down below, searchin' for somethin' to hold water, like a bottle or bucket. The bigger it is, the more water we can store, less trips mean less time wasted.

Glancin' at the bullet on the ground, I see my blood minglin' with it, droplets spreadin' across the cold surface. It reminds me of who did this to me... You're a fuckin' bitch, Winter Sunlight. Bet you're lookin' for me now. Well, when we cross paths again, I won't think twice 'bout puttin' a bullet between your eyes.

Thought you'd have my back when they marked me a Dashite, huh? All I did was save lives, nothin' more. Never betrayed you, never hurt you.

But I reckon suckin' the enclave's balls is all you're good at, ain't it? Hahahaha!

A laugh escapes me, directed at my own insult. It's all I can do, really. Been through a heap of shit today.

Stardust'd probably reckon I've gone crazy if she heard me laughin' to myself, but I don't give a damn. Today's been one hell of a ride.

My ears perked up when I heard the sound of water fallin', reckon there's clean water in this house. Good, everything's goin' well, for now. Got ourselves a way to clean my wounds.

This time I smiled, but it's a real smile, not just tryna shake off some negativity.

Heard Stardust's hoofsteps, slow and steady, as she approached the room. She had a wooden bucket with water.

One good thing 'bout all this is with her magic, she can do almost everythin' without much effort. Dunno if usin' magic drains her or somethin'. Most of my life, I've been around pegasi, besides Sniper Husky, but we didn't exactly get along. Got my reasons to hate her.

Extended my injured hoof so Stardust could pour water on it. Cold water runnin' down felt like a relief, didn't much care about gettin' the floor wet. We ain't stayin' here permanently anyway.

"Think that's enough water, bandage the wound and press it with your hoof," I told Stardust. She left the bucket on the ground, her magic coverin' my hoof with bandages, then pressin' it with one hoof while holdin' mine with the other.

She's pressin', determined look on her face, teeth showin', then she looks at me. "How long do I have to press it?" she asks.

"Fifteen minutes'd do," I respond. Shit... Just realized, the process is damn slow, still got two more wounds to tend to.

"Stardust, I got an idea. I can spill even more about myself. Suppose you're itchin' for more details about my escape from Meteora," I asked, figurin' it'd keep her mind occupied while she patched me up. Each bit of my story might chip away at her trauma, and it's a decent way to kill time.

"Sure thing, I'd like to know more. Last thing you mentioned was savin' a group of survivors from the Twin Ghouls," Stardust replied, still pressin' her hoof against my wound, keepin' up the same force.

"Great. But before that, pass me another painkiller. Should tide me over. But keep pressin', gotta hold this for fifteen minutes. Use your magic," I instructed Stardust, makin' sure she understood. Another dose wouldn't hurt. First extraction was a real pain. Hopin' another'll take the edge off.

Stardust, with her magic, hoisted the bottle up, floatin' it near my mouth. I opened up and swallowed the pill.

"Thanks," I said, preparin' myself for the story ahead.

I'll begin by tellin' ya 'bout this pony I can't stand, Crimson Flash. This bloke's got a grip on the wasteland that's downright disturbin'. He's a pegasus from the Ataly enclave, and him and his crew, the 'Divine Sons', they control a slew of outfits. Some of 'em are slavers, which ain't no surprise, 'cause the wasteland's crawling with 'em. If you find yerself in a tight spot, they'll snatch you up and sell ya off with the promise of a better life.

Now, Crimson Flash himself, he's got a red coat, a thunder cutie mark, dark blue hair with white streaks, and eyes as red as sin.

But here's the real kicker... Stardust, ya gotta pay close attention to the sorts of ponies you might cross paths with out there. One time durin' an exchange, I caught sight of Sniper Husky. She has one of the most disturbing behaviors I have ever seen in a pony; it doesn't compare to the cannibal raiders I have encountered.

Sniper Husky's got a white coat, a yellow mane, light blue eyes, and her Cutie Mark's a pony skull with bat wings.

We always did our trades in the same spot, down under Meteora. Meteora's perched above Berry Hill Park, one of the few places in Baltimare that ain't been bombed to smithereens. Clean water flows there, free from radiation.

We did so many deals in that neck of the woods that we cleared out all the pesky mutants. Wiped 'em out, practically extinct.

Me and my old pal Winter, we kept an eye out for any mutants or ponies tryin' to mess with our trades. Most of the time, we set up shop in the multi-use fields, open ground perfect for sports. The whole park's deserted, so we turned it into our HQ.

The sun was beatin' down, so me and Winter were on the roof of one of them little brown houses we used for shelter. Never did much more than protect us from the blisterin' sun. We had five of these houses scattered 'round the park, all decorated with Equestrian flags.

Winter loved her smokes, never went a day without a cigarette danglin' from her lips. "Want a cig?" She offered, holdin' one out to me with her wing.

"Nah, I'm good," I declined. After hearin' all the downsides of smokin', I decided it ain't for me. Seemed like the only reason to smoke was to look 'cool', but I figure cancer and lung problems ain't too cool.

"Y'know, Winter, sometimes I wonder why we don't just do the trade and be done with it. Why's it necessary for Crimson and our boss to crack open a few beers and shoot the breeze?" I pondered. Sometimes they even broke out the cards. Always wondered why, considerin' how valuable the tech and bottle caps were.

Winter took a drag from her cigarette, puffin' out smoke as she chuckled. "Ah, Lollipop, sometimes you sound like a grandma. They're just havin' a good time. Remember, Crimson's from Ataly. That place is a long haul away. Gotta be borin' as all heck. Bet he's lookin' to kick back in Meteora for a few days."

"What if somepony tries to jump us, though? Like them raiders who came 'round tryin' to swipe our gear?" I remembered, that day still fresh in my mind. One of 'em nearly made off with our weapons, computers, and robot parts. Raiders ain't too bright, figured they'd sell 'em off for a pretty penny.

"That's what we're here for, keepin' everything on track. But that don't mean you gotta be on high alert all the time. Besides, life in Meteora's dull as dishwater. These trades at least give ya a chance to relax, maybe take a dip in the lake. How often ya get to do that in Meteora?" Winter questioned. She had a point, but I couldn't shake the feelin' that I had a job to do, and I took it seriously.

"I'll keep my eyes peeled for a few more minutes. If everything's squared away, I might just dip in the pool," I declared, grabbing my weapon with my hooves. It was a Hecklar & Kich XM29 Objective Individual Combat Weapon—kinda heavy, but damn effective. Plus, it had a grenade launcher, perfect for takin' out a bunch of targets at once.

"Sounds like a plan. I'll be here, stayin' cool in the shade. If you need me, you know where to find me," Winter agreed, proppin' herself against the stairs of the house, her hind hooves crossed.

I spread my wings and took to the air, flying low over the park. I kept my eyes sharp, my weapon ready, but not pointed unless I needed it. Gotta keep cool, both myself and my gear. The armor's great at keepin' us cool, but overheat it, and you've got problems. Plus, gotta watch out for our mouths—mine's exposed, and it ain't the only model like that.

I soared, stickin' to the shadows where I could. Some trees still had leaves, providin' cover. My helmet's got a zoom feature, so I used that to scan the area. Night vision didn't do much good in the daylight, though.

As I followed the path, I stumbled upon a spot where the pool's at, but what caught my eye was the shower nearby. It shot water up like a mushroom, with "Berry Hill Park" marked on it.

On a bench nearby, I spotted two suits of armor. To the left, two enclave pals of mine were havin' a blast, splashin' around, shootin' water at each other with water guns. Watching 'em, it brought a warmth to my chest—reminded me of the happy times I never had.

One of 'em noticed me. "Hey look, it's Lollipop! Lollipop! Why don't you join us?" the stallion called out, waving his hoof.

"The water's refreshing! Come on, have some fun with us!" added the mare, raising her water pistol.

"Nah, I'm good. Gotta keep watch," I replied, movin' on. But I could still hear 'em talkin'.

"Aw, Lollipop, you're no fun. Loosen up a bit, smile more!" the stallion chided, soundin' disappointed.

"She's just an emo. Can't expect much from her. All she does is gripe about how tough life is. Smilin's like sufferin' for her, hahahah!" the mare quipped, laughin' and jabbin' her hoof into his side. He laughed along with her.

Haha, real funny. You'd be better off in a circus than on the field.

My mates from the enclave and I, we always banter like that. Sounds offensive, but it's just how we roll—friendly jabs, you know?

Can't count the times I've been ribbed 'bout my style and taste in music. Thanks, media, for paintin' us like we're a bunch of gloomy souls, incapable of crackin' a smile. Real accurate.

I made my way toward the lake, lovin' the trees 'round here. Unlike most places in the wastes, these trees are alive—green and full of leaves.

The wind carried cherry blossom petals, dancin' 'round me. Sometimes, they'd fall right onto my hoof. I'd stretch it out, waitin' for one to land, and sure enough, it would.

Cherry blossoms, they're my jam. Could watch 'em all day. I set my gun down, lettin' the petals shower down on my hooves.

Wind picked up, blowin' my mane every which way. Petals were swirlin', some flyin' high, others driftin' down. I waited, patient-like, 'til one landed on my hoof, and there it was.

Outta all those petals, just one found my hoof. I picked it up, held it for a sec, then blew it away with the wind.

In Meteora, we ain't got none of this. Makes me appreciate the surface even more. Bet there's loads of beautiful things out there, unscathed by bombs.

But I wonder, will I be stuck in Meteora forever? It's high-tech and all, ain't complainin'. But sometimes, I wish for scenery like this, exclusive to the surface.

I can see it now—monotonous life, get a marefriend, live together. Then, when I'm old, retire as a soldier and play housewife. Screw marryin' a stallion and poppin' out foals. I'm a lesbian, Mom, deal with it. No grandfoals for you.

And when I retire, I'll never see cherry blossoms again. Gotta seize the moment while I can, soak in every second here.

I picked up my gun, carried on flyin' amidst the petals, but as much as I wanted to admire 'em, this time, I kept my eyes peeled for threats.

Following the path, I made my way to the lake. Figured after checkin' everything's cool, I'd take a breather. Celestia knows I deserve it.

Still had my gun at the ready, just in case I spotted any muties or raiders. But then I heard somethin' odd—voices.

Could it be raiders? With my armor, I could ping Winter and have her back me up, but she'd wanna be sure. Didn't wanna drag her out here for nothin'.

So, I veered off the path, headin' towards a clump of Blossom trees. It was secluded, and the first thing that crossed my mind was raiders preparin' an ambush.

I kept flyin', pickin' up speed, but doin' it quiet-like. Eventually, I reached an open, isolated spot. And there they were—Sniper Husky and a filly. I breathed a sigh of relief, but that filly... could it be her daughter?

I knew I shouldn't snoop, but curiosity's a killer. I'd seen Sniper 'round a few times, had some short convos, but never knew she had a kid. All I ever heard 'bout her was how the whole wasteland's scared stiff of her.

Sniper and the filly were lyin' face down in the grass, real close-like.

"It's been a long journey, chérie, but finally, we got some time for ourselves. Ton copine needs love," Sniper Husky said, nuzzlin' her daughter.

She's from Frence, Le Marens to be precise. Been there once, ain't such a bad city.

"You know I'm a little embarrassed to do this, Sniper. I don't know whether to do it," the filly said, sounding insecure. What’s Sniper plan to do with her?

"Don't call me by my nom, ma chérie. We are un couple. Tell me something like darling, sweetie, honey. Tu comprends?" Sniper Husky asked, stroking the filly's pink mane with a front hoof.

Did I hear that right? She called that filly her partner? How old is she, ten?

This... ain't right. This can’t be.

"Mmmm, okay, darling. Since nopony is watchin' us, I guess it would be fine... I just don't wanna play those games where I'm tied up and can't do anything," the filly said, lowerin' her head, lookin' at the grass.

"Si tu fais ce que je te dis, I promise I will be gentler. Sometimes I lose le contrôle, but I don't do it because I want to see you suffer. It's because I really love you," Sniper Husky said, positionin' herself on top of the filly.

I gotta do something, but I'm so shocked I can barely move a hoof. Frozen... I've never seen anything like this in front of me. This can’t be right.

Romantic relationships with foals? Hell no. No, no, no.

What the fuck is this? This ain't right. I've always been told that havin' romantic relationships with foals is reprehensible. However, Sniper Husky sees it as somethin' totally normal.

What the fuck should I do? I don't know. I've never felt this way before. I've only heard about it, but seein' it, seein' it in front of me is another thing altogether.

Sniper Husky started to lick the filly's cheeks, movin' her tongue, fillin' her with saliva.

I was behind them, hidin' in a tree. I couldn't see the filly's reaction to all this, but I'm sure it must be discomfort.

Just hearin' their moans made me tremble. It wasn't from fear. I ain't afraid of anythin', much less Sniper Husky. It's just that I can't be witnessin' this. I've seen many horrible things, but this is one of 'em, and they ain't easy to forget. Am I the only pony who knows about this?

"J'aimerais rouler un patin, do you know what that means?" Sniper Husky said, her lustful voice disturbin' me too much.

"I think it was a tongue kiss," the filly said, lookin' back at her. Damn it, who knows how long Sniper Husky's been abusin' this filly? And nopony found out about this. Really horrifying.

"Exactement, that's how we kiss our partners en frenceis," Sniper Husky said, openin' her mouth and extendin' her tongue. The poor filly did the same. I could see how their tongues came together and shared saliva.

For what Sniper thought was normal, for others it'd be highly repugnant. And I ain't stayin' here doin' nothin' no more. I gotta do somethin', but I can't let my shock be noticed. I gotta act natural, but I'll have my weapon ready just in case.

I sighed several times to calm myself. As much as I wanted to put a bullet in Sniper’s head, killing her now would get me into trouble. I’d have to inform the leader about this. We're dealing with a mentally ill mare.

I stopped flying and landed on the ground, trotting slowly towards them. “So... Sniper Husky, what a surprise to see you here,” I said, stayin' calm and pretending that what I was seein' didn’t affect me at all.

I am a strong mare. This should be nothin' to me, but it’s very disturbing and disgustin'. My body feels a chill that’s impossible to control, but I must remain calm about what I have just witnessed.

Sniper Husky and the filly looked towards me. Sniper stood up and looked at me with a surprisingly calm expression while the filly hid behind her. It’s like she was afraid of me. Don’t worry, when I can, I’ll save you. But right now, there’s not much I can do.

“Vous must be soldate Lollipop Hearts... is there anything I can help vous with?” Sniper said with a calmness that surprised me. I thought she’d try to hide it or pretend that nothin' was happenin'.

“Nothin', I was just passin' by here... surveyin' the area and I found you here, kissin' a filly,” I responded to Sniper, raisin' a bent front hoof, the shock causin' me to lift it unintentionally.

“Oh, she’s my girlfriend,” Sniper Husky said, puttin' a hoof on the filly and givin' her a little push. “Allez, introduce yourself,” Sniper said tenderly. I had never seen her act this way.

The filly took a few steps towards me, avoidin' lookin' at me. She had one front hoof bent like mine. I guess she’s embarrassed to talk to me. “My name is... Silver Storm,” she introduced herself. Poor thing, she must be so confused. She must have no idea of the limits that an adult pony should have for a young one like her.

I raised a hoof and waved it at her. “Name’s Lollipop Hearts, nice to meet you.” I gave a smile to Silver, but it didn’t seem to work. She refused to look at me.

“Isn’t she a sweetheart? She’s very shy with strangers,” Sniper Husky said, strokin' Silver’s mane, her hoof almost running down to her flank as well.

“Don’t you think she’s a little young to be your ‘girlfriend’?” I asked, liftin' two hooves and curlin' them both at the same time.

“Silver is eight years old. Although she is young, we love each other very much, and that is what really matters,” Sniper said, lowerin' her head and joinin' her cheek with Silver’s in a supposed loving gesture. Silver reciprocated it, half-smiling.

I'm sure she has emotionally manipulated her. That's what all these sick fucks do.

I put a front hoof to my forehead. "Despite that, I don't think it's right for you to be havin' a romantic relationship with a foal, Sniper. That's just wrong. You could get into big trouble," I warned Sniper Husky. I didn't know why I felt like this would be of no use.

"You're not le premier à say something like that to me. When I receive menaces like that, they usually end up dead," Sniper Husky said, raisin' her voice a little, bein' sarcastic and smilin'. I think she thinks I'm threatenin' her... could it be, because this is not somethin' I'm gonna let go like it's nothin'.

"I'm not afraid of you, Sniper. If you continue abusin' Silver, I'm goin' to kill you," I said. This time I wouldn't hold back. I can't stand her anymore. I have to tell her how much I want to kill her. I'd have to get it out of my system. It's not like I've been interested in bein' friends with this bitch since I met her either.

"Silver, chérie, go play at the lake. This conversation is only for adultes," Sniper said in a 'sweet' way to Silver.

Silver nodded, turned around, and trotted away from the area at considerable speed, disappearin' with each step she took.

Even if you want Silver not to listen, that still won't take away the fact that you're sick. You can shove your false consideration up your ass.

When Silver was no longer in sight of any of us, Sniper Husky looked at me. The smile she had disappeared faster than the blink of an eye. "So you plan to kill me... I would be very careful with what I say," Sniper Husky began to trot towards my side. "Savez-vous what has happened to the poneys that have menacé me for exactly la même chose? Most of them end up being dinner for my huskies," Sniper Husky said as she positioned herself behind me. My eyes followed her every step she took.

"Have you heard about the Stable Dweller who was found dead in Frence? Elle came to my house to try to kill me, elle discovered that I like sleeping with foals. Do you know what happened to elle after I defeated that connasse? I raped her, une demi-heure. When I got bored of her pussy, I shot her in the head. Then I used her body to feed my huskies," Sniper Husky said with a tone of frustration. She told it to me as if it were somethin' common or ordinary. I think I will lose my sanity If I keep listenin' to this bitch.

I didn't respond. I just squeezed my hooves because I was so angry at this son of a bitch.

"Alors, Lollipop, what do you say? Do you want to play le hero and end up like Seren, or are you going to be intelligent and stay out of ma affairs? Not to mention that the entire enclave will fall on you," Sniper Husky said, positioning herself very close to my side.

Sniper Husky still had saliva comin' out of her mouth from the kiss she gave Silver. I decided to look away from her and focus ahead, anything but at her.

"The enclave is gonna fall on me? I don't think so. I highly doubt they wanna be involved with a sick pony like you," I told Sniper Husky. She's completely screwed. When I tell my leader about this, they'll surely plan an attack toward her and possibly execute her.

I heard Sniper Husky laughing, tryin' not to explode with laughter. She can keep laughing if she wants. That's not gonna stop me from notifying them about her sick actions.

"Go ahead, do it. You wanna waste their time? D'accord. Think about what would happen if they found out you had conflicts with me," Sniper took a step forward. I could feel her yellow mane colliding with mine. "Consider your actions carefully, soldate."

"When you're gonna be executed, I'll be the one in charge of pullin' the trigger, bitch!" I turned around slowly, trottin' back to my position where I was with Winter before.

"Oh, Ma flank is shaking with fear now," Sniper said sarcastically. We'll see if you keep laughin'. I'll put a bullet in your skull.

The shock I felt faded, and now what I felt was deep anger. I was determined to put Sniper Husky to sleep forever. Later, I'll let the leader know. I'm sure he'll be on my side in this conflict.

I looked back for a few seconds, and Sniper Husky was headin' towards the lake, surely where Silver was, to continue abusin' her. This caused me to clench my teeth and hooves, but there's not much I can do now. I just have to wait for the moment. But first, I think I'll have a private meetin' with Crimson Flash. He should know the kind of pony he's allied with.

Hours after the exchange, I was in an alley waitin' for Crimson Flash. I told him we needed to meet in a private place to discuss somethin' serious that could put our relationship at risk. I still didn't want to say anythin' to the leader. I thought if I talked to Crimson, he would resolve this with Sniper Husky and everything would continue normally.

Meteora was full of buildings with neon lights and advertisement signs about joinin' the Enclave army almost everywhere. Usually, almost no advertisements for entertainment media or other things were allowed.

The Enclave was the most important thing. Sometimes I wonder if that importance surpassed even our well-being. How would all the other pegasi feel bein' born and condemned to stay in this city for the rest of their lives, without the option of choosin' whether to go to the surface or not?

We don't all think the same. Each pony has their own way of seein' the world, just like me. Despite bein' a soldier of the Enclave, there are things I don't agree with, and I don't see anythin' wrong with havin' contact with other ponies or bein' on the surface.

It's not like I can do much about it. Unfortunately, this was the city I had to live in, with rules that prevent our freedom. Will I have to be forced to stay here forever? Maybe. It's either that or death.

I was leanin' against the wall of an apartment, havin' my front hooves crossed. In the alley, I was accompanied by a robot cleanin' the alley of graffiti and garbage. Robots were mostly used for this type of work. The Enclave wants a large part of the pegasi to contribute in some way, whether in the scientific area or as soldiers.

I don't know shit about science. I always knew that bein' a soldier was my thing, and I'm doin' well at it. I'm moderately respected.

Crimson Flash was flyin' towards me, wearin' a jacket and holdin' an umbrella. There was a light rain. It started before he left the house, so I have nothin' to cover myself with.

It doesn't matter. At least he finally arrived. I wonder why it took so long.

Crimson Flash landed in front of me, closin' his wings. "If I'm not mistaken, you must be soldato Lollipop, vero? The one who wanted to talk about Sniper Husky."

"Exactly. I'll get to the point about what I saw today. It's somethin' very disturbin'. Are you ready for what I'm gonna tell you?" I asked, wantin' to make sure I didn't disturb him too much. At least I wanted him to prepare himself mentally.

"Porca miseria! What could be so disturbing that you called me... go ahead and tell me," Crimson said, leanin' his head forward and grippin' his umbrella tightly.

"Sniper has an eight-year-old filly as a girlfriend. I don't know how close you two are, but I'd say do somethin' about it. I guess you know what would happen if the Enclave finds out we're negotiatin' with ponies... you know," I said in a low voice, bein' close to him with a raised chin.

Crimson Flash's expression changed from worried to... laughin'? What the fuck?

"Is that what you called me for? I already know that. Plus, I have no problemi with that. The Meteora Enclave doesn't care if Sniper sleeps con una filly. What they want is for me to continue bringing them tecnologia avanzata and more materiali. That's all they care about," Crimson said, takin' the situation lightly.

"Wha- What?! You say they know about this and don't do anythin'?" I leaned back with wide eyes, I couldn't believe it. Does the Enclave know about this? Fuck no! I need them to confirm it for me.

"Yes, they know. They don't really care. The only one who cares about that is you. Why don't you leave it at that? What Sniper does in her vita privata shouldn't matter to you," Crimson said, stepping forward towards me, his hooves splashing the small puddles of water on the ground.

I shook my head at how screwed up the situation was. "But she's abusin' a filly. Do you know how bad that sounds in itself? Would you let her continue abusin' an eight-year-old filly?" I asked Crimson, raising a bent hoof towards him and squeezin' it.

Crimson sighed, bringin' a hoof to his forehead and then placin' it back on the ground. "Sniper Husky along with my other divini sons, I love them a lot. Their life before was miserabile. They were abused slaves, with the worst treatment you can immaginare. You know what it's like to be tied to a cross for three hours under the sun, while they throw stones at you and spit on you?" Crimson Flash said, movin' his head to the side while still keepin' his gaze on me. "I am not giustificando their actions. I am not saying that sleeping with foals is okay. But I let them do what they want because I want to give them the freedom that nopony else dared to give them. As long as what they do does not disrupt my organizzazione, it would be fine. If they sleep with foals, rape, kill, things that are common in this world we live in, it is not mio problema."

"You're a crazy son of a bitch just like them, are you gonna allow them to continue with their perverse actions? You got no interest in the lives of the innocent?" I raised my voice at Crimson. He, like Sniper, was already makin' me sick.

Crimson sighed in annoyance, lookin' down and then up to me. "You can insultarmi all you want. I cannot control what happens in the tierra desolata. What you're complaining about so much, it happens all over Equestria. It's a useless fight that ain't worth wasting time for," Crimson Flash extended his wings and approached me. "If you mess with Sniper Husky, you and I will be in serious trouble. Not only with us, but also with the enclave. I know that you saved that group of survivors without autorizzazione that day. If you don't want everypony against you, you just don't have to meddle in what don't matter to you, capisci?"

"Fuck you..." I muttered quietly, turning my back on Crimson as he flew away.

Damn, everything's against me. If I tell the leader about this... will they back me up or turn against me? I don't know, but this time, I'd lose too much if I warned them.

"SHIT!" I exclaimed, slamming my front hoof against the wall in frustration. What the hell am I gonna do?

Do I let these abuses continue or do I risk my life to stop them? I don't know, I don't know my role in all this...

Maybe I'll go home. I'm not sure if I should tell my parents—they don't give a damn about me anyway—but I might as well try.

Or maybe I'll talk to Winter. If everything goes to hell, I don't know what I'll do, but I can't just sit back and do nothing.

Trotting forward, I spread my wings and took off, gaining speed as I headed home. I need some clear-headed time to think. Right now, the pressure's getting to me, and I can't let that happen.

I just want Sniper to pay for what she's doing. That's all I ask. I don't care about being a hero or getting recognition. I just want to see a bullet in her skull. That's all...