Fallout Equestria Shattered Memories

The raiders faltered, exchanging looks, as an otherworldly glow surrounded Blue. Her presence radiated an undeniable power, and her voice, filled with fury, echoed through the air. "You won't defeat us," she declared with chilling certainty. "We are ultimate." The raiders, taken aback by her formidable aura, hesitated, their confidence wavering in the face of such overwhelming strength.

Blue could feel Lumi's gaze on her from behind, but she ignored it, her focus solely on the raiders in front of her. She felt a strange mixture of power and anger coursing through her body—she wasn’t fully in control.

Despite the overwhelming energy radiating from Blue, Lil's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding. "Shoot that bitch!" she shouted, her words driven by a fierce desperation. The raiders, taking her command to heart, readied their weapons, determined to overcome Blue's formidable presence with a relentless barrage.

As the barrier fell away, the raiders surged forward.

Blue focused, the glow of her magic grew brighter and more intense, radiating from her horn like a glowing beacon. The power built up and swirled around her horn, crackling with raw energy and potential.

The raiders took aim and opened fire.

Their expressions fell at the sight of liquefying bullets. The temperature required to achieve such a feat rivaling an overcharged plasma rifle. The air around Blue rippled and distorted as the bullets neared her. Their inertia carried the melted metals further, vaporizing the liquids before they hit their target.

A stallion tried to run away in fear, but Lil was too quick for him. With a single shot, she hit his hoof, causing him to fall to the ground with a cry of pain. Blood quickly pooled on the snow beneath him, the cold air causing it to begin to freeze over as ice traveled up his leg. He writhed and screamed in agony on the frozen ground, the pain and cold overwhelming his senses.

The stallion’s motions ceased, his body quickly becoming covered by the falling flakes. Lil turned to the other raiders, her expression harsh and unforgiving. "Deserters don't belong with us. If you're afraid of a tiny little alicorn, then you don't deserve to be a part of this." With that, she turned back towards Blue, her expression just as hard and determined.

Blue stood their ground, their resolve unshaken despite the advancing threat. The air crackled with tension as the clash between their ultimate power and the raiders' confidence was about to unfold.

Just as it reached its peak, the energy became too much to contain and shot out of their horn like a continuous lightning, scorching the ground underneath it and leaving a trail of steaming, burned earth in its wake. The beam surged with a deafening roar, moving at incredible speed towards the raiders.

Blue chanced a glance towards Lumi, whose poor, powerless form put fire to Blue’s veins.
They spoke, their thundering voice carrying an echoing quality that seemed to bounce off the surrounding landscape. “HOW DARE YOU.”

Their attention snapped back towards their opposition. Neutralize the threat.

As the power continued to course through her body, Blue began to feel a strange sensation begin to overtake her. It was as if her senses were slowly being robbed from her, replaced by an uncontrollable force that was taking over her body. She felt a sense of dread and helplessness wash over her as she realized that she was losing control over herself.

They turned back towards the raiders, Blue's expression twisted into a wicked, ear-to-ear smile, their eyes narrowing to mere pinpricks.

She felt a dangerous energy coursing through her, a power she had never experienced before. It was as if she was no longer in control of herself, as if something or someone else was guiding her actions.

The beam of light struck a raider’s flank, it did so with an intense explosion of energy and sound. The raider's back legs were instantly severed from their body by the immense force of the impact. The flesh around the injury burned black, the heat from the blast scorching the ground around and causing the area to reek of burned flesh. The raider screamed in agony, their cries lost to the lightning’s roar.

Lil continued to advance towards Blue, her anger and determination obvious as she shouted her orders to the other raiders. "It's just one stupid alicorn!" she shouted. "We've taken out many before! Get that freak!"

The beam of light continued its path through the area, glancing at Lil as it did so. In an instant, the right half of her face was set ablaze, the fire melting away her flesh and leaving a grotesque, bloody mess in its wake. Lil's remaining eye locked onto Blue, filled with a mixture of fear and unbridled rage.

As Blue watched Lil retreat, fleeing back over the snowy hill with a blood-curdling scream, a sense of satisfaction washed over them. They had sent the raider leader running, their power clearly too much for the raiders to handle. The other raiders attempted to flee as well. They didn’t have the advantage of Blue’s contemplation. None survived.

The wasteland’s silence came back with practiced ease, concealing the bloodshed as if it had never happened in the first place.

Blue paused, looking around the now-empty landscape with a sense of disappointment. "Is this all?" they said, their voice echoing off the surrounding snow. "You haven't…”

As they spoke, Blue's glow and voice seemed to change, shifting from a confident, authoritative tone to one that was tinged with uncertainty and strain. It was as if they were struggling to maintain their composure, as if something inside of them was starting to falter.

Blue's voice changed and trembled with fear, her words came out in a panicked, desperate manner. "No!" she screamed, her voice shaking with emotion. Her extremities spasmed, fighting their own battles.

"We will warp the wasteland! We will make it ours!" It was clear that something was wrong, that there was a deep-seated fear and insecurity within Blue that was starting to surface.

Blue's voice trembled with fear and anger as she yelled, "Get out of my damn head!" She almost fell to the ground, thrashing and bucking uncontrollably, as if she was fighting an unseen force within her own mind. Her movements were wild and erratic, her eyes wide and filled with panic.

Blue looked towards Lumi, she staggered and struggled to keep on her hooves as her vision blurred, darkness creeping from the edges. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't seem to keep herself upright, her exhaustion catching up to her.

The white glow dissipated from her body, and Blue collapsed onto the cold, snow-covered ground, her body now motionless and unconscious. The wind whooshed over the scene, whistling its approval. It carried on further, spreading the grim tune over the white peaks of the frozen wastes.

Blue awoke hours later, her head was pounding like an army of soldiers were marching through her skull. She looked down and noticed a bandage on her horn. Lumi lay sleeping next to her, her legs didn't look good, but Blue wanted to help. The nausea hit her stomach, and she could feel the sickness rising in her throat. In the distance, she could hear the faint echo of laughter.

She looked around, but everything was strangely quiet. She could see the snow falling, and she could feel the cold seeping into her bones.

"What happened...?" Blue muttered, closing her eyes in an attempt to settle herself. She tried to control her panting, nausea, and the throbbing pain in her skull. It was difficult, and she felt the sweat beading on her forehead despite the cold.

The snow continued to fall, the echo of laughter that she heard drifting in the wind continued. She kept her eyes shut, hoping that the pounding in her head would eventually stop.

Blue managed to get to her hooves, feeling lightheaded from moving too quickly. She almost fell, but she gripped the ground with her hooves and slowly got up. She stood there for a moment, trying to regain her balance. The throbbing in her head was still present, but it was starting to ease up a little bit.

She looked around, taking in the snowy surroundings once more. The snowflakes were still falling, but the air was still. She could still hear the distant echoes of laughter floating in the wind, but the source remained uncertain.

Blue bent down to try and lift Lumi onto her back, but suddenly noticed the patches of burnt fur. 'Just what happened? Why can't I remember the last couple hours?'

She thought to herself and closed her eyes in a vain attempt at clearing her mind. Maybe if she tried to focus and think back to the past few hours, something would jog loose in her memories. But she tried in vain. Her head was pounding, and she could feel the nausea building up in the pit of her stomach again.

Blue winced, feeling the pain on her head crackle with energy. She couldn't stand it anymore, and she screamed, even though each vibration sent waves of pain through her head.

But she pushed forward, fighting through the pain. She grabbed Lumi and placed her on her back, determined to keep moving.

"I need to survive... it's getting colder again," Blue spoke out loud to herself, still trying to make sense of the events of the previous few hours. She looked around, and a chill ran down her spine as she saw a dark area up ahead. The area was surrounded by swirling snow and ice, as if the blizzard had taken over the landscape.

She panicked as the blizzard swirled closer and realized her hooves and wings were no longer tied up. Fear welled up inside her, but she kept running, looking for any way out of this situation.

Blue was relieved to hear the laughter stop, though the swirling of the blizzard and the snow deafened everything around her.

"Why now... fucking wasteland," she muttered to herself, feeling the cold seeping under her skin as the blizzard continued to creep closer.

She tried to push on, fighting against the rising dread, and she felt as the force of the blizzard surrounded her. She was alone, and it felt like the odds were stacked against her.

Blue found herself involuntarily lifting off the ground, her wings beating furiously as she gained altitude. She was terrified, but the instinct to fly and escape the blizzard was stronger than any fear she felt. She flapped her wings harder and harder, increasing her speed as she flew through the freezing air. The landscape rushed by below her, a frozen wasteland of snow and ice.

Blue didn't know how to fly very well, and she struggled to maneuver her body correctly. She had to focus all of her attention on keeping afloat and not crashing to the ground. The wind was cold against her fur, but the snow was no longer swirling all around her. The blizzard still loomed in the distance, but Blue could see more of the landscape ahead.

Blue turned back and smiled to see that Lumi was still on her body. She was glad that the take off didn't fling her off.

Blue wasn't quite sure what to do with her wings now that she was in the air. She was flapping them, but it didn't seem to be doing anything. She felt the wind pushing against her body, but she didn't seem to be going anywhere. Still, she was far away from the blizzard and that was a relief.

Blue's head was still throbbing from earlier, but she believed that the blood pumping in her body due to the exercise she put it through was helping to alleviate the pain.

She still didn't quite know what to do in the air, but the wind was pushing her in one particular direction. She wasn't sure if she should just keep going that way or try to change directions. Blue kept flapping her wings, feeling frustrated at her inability to maneuver well.

One more peek at Lumi confirmed her state of partial entanglement with her saddlebags. It must’ve been restricting the blood flow in her legs, though it was preferable to her falling off of her back. Blue continued to fly through the air, constantly overcorrecting her wild strokes. She cringed every time Lumi’s unconscious form hit her back.

"There's something over that way... what is that?" Blue saw a cluster of lights in the distance. She wondered what the place was. It looked kind of large. She kept flapping her wings, wondering if she should change directions and investigate or keep going the same way. The thought of a warm, safe place filled her with a sense of relief, as the cold wind rushed against her body. But she was also afraid of what the lights might represent.

Blue felt cold without her jacket, and she decided to descend to the ground in search of some shelter. As she flew, she cocked her head, noticing that the blizzard had changed direction. Blue felt better as she got closer to the ground. The lights were getting closer with each flap of her wings, and Blue was getting more and more curious about what she would find when she finally landed.

Drawing closer, Blue noticed that the lights emanated from a settlement made up of small longhouses. The structures had been reinforced with walls, and there was a gate.

When Blue landed, she was greeted by a titanic being with yellow eyes. Their teeth were gnarled, and they towered over her, their paws dwarfing her body. The sheer size and power of this creature filled Blue with awe and trepidation.

As Blue stepped back in unease, trying to take in the new and terrifying circumstances.

"Um... hello!" Blue exclaimed, desperate for help. "My friend needs help. She's hurt badly, is there someone who can help her?"

The large creature snorted and then said, "Why should we help a mutie? Your kind isn't tolerated around here. Tell you what, if you can pay caps for entry, we'll help your friend while you wait outside. If you don't, guess you're shit out of luck. There's nothing for miles."

Blue stumbled and shook as the giant creature's massive figure loomed before her. She took a deep breath and swallowed nervously, then spoke up timidly. "Um, I... what is the price for admission?"

"Two-thousand caps," the large creature said, his tone making it clear that this was not a negotiable price. He held out his massive paws, gesturing for Blue to hand over the caps immediately.

Blue stepped back a bit, she noticed the band on his arm that said 'Jet's Marauders.' She was unsure what to do, as she had not been picking up caps.

"How about this?" Blue said, pulling out the Luna figurine.

Blue hoofed over the small figurine, the creature went wide-eyed. The power behind his voice nearly knocked her over. Blue braced herself against the immense force, hoping and praying that the creature would take the figurine as payment for entry. She was terrified, but she forced herself to remain upright and face the enormous being.

"Put that shit back! Those are very sought after. I don't need it, but you had better not show it to anyone else. There are locals out in the Winter Peaks who would kill for those". Blue felt small next to the giant creature, and she quickly packed the Luna figurine away, not wanting to anger him any further.

"I'm sorry, I'm still new to this wasteland. I've been through so much already. I helped the Caretakers, but they just..." she was cut off.

"Oh, you worked with the Caretakers? Why didn't you say so? We've been trying to get in touch with them for years." The creature's expression seemed to soften slightly as Blue spoke, his once-intimidating demeanor becoming a little less frightening.

His voice still booming; however gentler than before, “The slavers took out half of the Marauders, promising better pay and housing." He paused. "Most of us stayed because we were loyal to Jet." He sighed. "Now we face constant attacks."

Blue looked up at the creature with a puzzled expression, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She hadn't expected the creature's demeanor to change so quickly, and she was caught off guard by his softer tone. "Who's... Jet? And who are the Marauders?" She was completely lost, and she had no idea what the creature was talking about. She had never heard of either Jet or the Marauders.

She pauses, waiting for a response. As the seconds ticked by, she began to grow more concerned.

"Jet is our leader, and the Marauders are our group." The creature's voice was flat and emotionless as he regarded Blue with a deadpan expression. "You really don't know who Jet is?" he asked, amusement waving its way in the tone of his voice.

Blue stood in awkward silence, staring at the creature with a mix of confusion and curiosity. The creature let out a frustrated sigh, clearly growing impatient with her silence; He spoke up again.

"We take on all kinds of odd jobs, even those that the Caretakers refuse to tackle. But now, we find ourselves in need of their assistance. Our numbers have dwindled in recent times, with a mere twenty-five of us remaining. Five of those have suffered serious injuries as a result of the civil war.

"Cowards," the creature spat. "They'll never be true Marauders now. If I see one, they'll be dead." He glared back at Blue.

Blue's words were confident and resolute as she stood before the creature, her determination and conviction clear in her eyes. "I have connections with the Caretakers," she explained, her voice steady and sure. "Perhaps I can arrange for them to have a meeting with your leader. I'm certain we can find a favorable arrangement that will benefit both parties."

The creature gave Blue a skeptical look at first, his expression still wary and uncertain. But as she continued to speak, he began to soften, his demeanor shifting from one of suspicion to one of gratitude. "Very well," he said, his voice still gruff but with a hint of gratitude. "Thanks for agreeing to negotiate a meeting between our factions." However, his next words were a clear warning. “If this is a trick, you and that mare on your back are going to be fodder.

"In the meantime, I suggest that you allow our doctor to examine your friend. You are a daring "mutie" for venturing all the way out to the Winter Peaks. Hurry inside before you develop hypothermia."

Blue rubbed her head, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar name. "Winter Peaks," she muttered to herself, her brow furrowing in confusion, "what's that?"

The creature nodded in acknowledgment. "Winter Peaks is a small region in the frozen north," he explained. "These mountains are divided into different areas with distinct names. This area we stand in is called Winter Peaks, and further towards the edge of the mountains is a region called Summit."

"What in the world are you?" Blue asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"I'm a snowhound," the creature growled. "A very common species in these parts. Amazed you haven't encountered one before." He chuckled dryly. "And no need to worry. If you try to fight, I'll happily demonstrate how to properly crush someone's windpipe."

Blue backed away slightly, intimidated by the creature's size and the heat of their breath. She's unsure of how to answer their question.

"Okay okay," the snowhound barked, lowering their demeanor to a more gentle tone. "You should be careful out here, this part of the wasteland is full of dangers -” he pointed a proud finger at himself “- like me. Lucky for you, I'm not hungry at the moment. If you're really curious about me, I suppose we could have a little chat over a hot meal."

Blue asked, "Wait. Is Jet not here then? I thought your leader was here?"

The snowhound cocked his eyebrow and said, "No. This is an outpost. My friend and I were paid to guard it. My shift is about to end, and once she arrives to relieve me, I'll talk with you and report it to Jet. As for why they want this place guarded - the ones inside are the who you should ask about that."

"Okay, wait. So, your group is being paid to guard this base, and you'll be reporting back to Jet. But Jet isn't here, and you don't have any idea what's currently going on inside. Why does he want this place guarded? Might there be other reasons for it, and if so, what are they?"

"Ask the ones inside after we've had a meal. I'm looking forward to it. Head straight to the doctor's office with your friend, and once you've got them situated, make your way to the mess hall to find me."

Blue gulped and nodded. She turned her head to look at Lumi sleeping on her body. Her friend was shivering, though no signs of hypothermia were yet present. They needed to find a place to shelter immediately.

Her surroundings proved to be empty, and there was nothing else to be seen. She also knew that walking away was a risk, but staying put wasn't an option. She wondered if Lumi could survive if they did move on, and made the decision to go inside.

Blue's ears perked up. She heard the sounds of hoofsteps approaching from someplace beyond the gate before her. "There's my relief," the snowhound announced.

Blue finally saw the source of the hoofsteps come into view. They belonged to a scrawny bird pony-like creature. She tilted her head in confusion, wondering if this was actually another Marauder.

The snowhound nodded in confirmation. "Don't piss her off or make fun of her," he warned Blue. "Us Marauders are highly skilled, and you'll regret it if you do those things."

"Frazer, you're off duty for now. I'm taking over. And for the love of all that is holy, please don't eat my share this time. If you do it again, I will personally drag you to the medical den and leave you there to wake up wondering why I took half of your share."

Frazer shrugged, "Yeah yeah, just let me in. This mutie here has important business to attend to, and her buddy is wounded. She's gonna convince the Caretakers to work with us." He punctuated every word with a jab of his paw against Blue's chest, causing a bit of bruising.

"Uh, yeah, right," the mare scoffed. Then she shot a glare at Blue. "Just stay out of my way and we've got zero issues, you hear me?" she added, her words dripping with condescension. "And may whatever gods you pray to bless your afterlife with plenty," she finished with a sarcastic twist.

Blue was at a loss for words in response to the mare's scathing remark. She eventually nodded, still somewhat nervous. Then she added, slightly apologetic, "I'll make sure to stay out of your way. And I'm really sorry but...I don't know what a God is."

Blue noticed her pause and tense up, before finally relaxing and continuing. Then she had the urge to deliver a slight jab in the form of a question. "Damn, did you come from a stable?"

Blue also decided to add the revelation that she had no memory of who or where she came from, which might help to explain her lack of knowledge about the concept of gods.

The mare seemed to take some sort of offense to Blue sharing the facts of her situation. "Did I ask to hear your life story?" she said, with a degree of annoyance and disdain present in her tone.

Seeing how heated the conversation was getting, Frazer quickly intervened. "Both of you stop," he said firmly, his words directed at both Blue and the mare. "Let's just get going. Follow me," he added, directing his final words toward Blue as a command.

Blue followed Frazer inside, finding him engaged in a conversation with an equine. She mustn't have been a pony, judging by the pale beak protruding from her covered head.

"Yaest, what's on your mind today?" Frazer asked wholeheartedly, putting a paw on her back as they walked away.

Yaest responded not even looking in Blue’s direction. "You already know, Frazer. I won't discuss it within earshot of that taint-riddled time-bomb."

The usage of the word time-bomb seemed to imply that Yeast either had very negative feelings or perhaps a dangerous knowledge of Blue and her situation.

Blue felt an improvement in her comfort as she noticed that the shivering sensation was gone. The hope that Lumi would survive helped to improve her mood and help stave off some of those negative thoughts that had been troubling her previously.

Then she came across a building that was designated as the "Genepool's Medicare Station." This discovery filled her with a sense of relief, knowing that Lumi was in good hands and might even have a chance to recover from whatever injury she had been afflicted with.

Blue was aware of the injuries on her legs, though she couldn't exactly gauge the severity of the wounds. The urgency of the situation compelled her to rush inside the building marked "Genepool's Medicare Station."

While she was relieved that Lumi was relatively lightweight, Blue was beginning to feel the weight of her own body, which was becoming increasingly more difficult to manage. She couldn't pinpoint the exact cause, between fatigue or something else entirely.

"If you want help, either pay me or do me a favor," a stallion's voice rang out. The gruff tone caught Blue off-guard, and she wondered what kind of favor she might have to do in order to get Lumi treated.

Blue turned the corner, stunned by what lay before her. The creature - small, with long ears - looked up and face-palmed.

"What?" The creature said, squeaking into a device that translated their voice into Blue's preferred language. "I managed to find a patch of Killing Joke, and at the time, I thought it would be cute to be treated like something cute," they explained. "I used to be a hippogriff hen." So, the form she had now wasn’t a hippogriff.

Blue attempted to restrain her laughter at the small fluff's explanation. However, her restraint gave way as a result of the small fluff kicking her in the face. While the impact may not have been overly painful, the surprise certainly had her stunned and reeling.

Then, the small fluff let out another squealed statement that was translated: "Don't laugh at me." Their tone was not exactly friendly, and Blue took the statement to be an indication to watch her behavior, lest she face more retribution from the small creature.

Blue was apologetic about her laughter, even though it had been hard to repress. She then inquired, "I'm sorry, I just...you're adorable and funny sounding. Um... wait, what is a killing joke? What are you also?”

“Never seen a squirrel before? Luna be damned you fucking dwellers don’t get enough history.” Genepool said

It was clear that Blue may have been oblivious to something the small fluff had assumed was common knowledge, Genepool continued.

"That was unknown to me as well, for some time, at least, when I was exploring near Ponyville, in search of medical supplies that might help remedy the blizzard virus that has been impacting people in this area. However, I happened upon some killing joke growing in the forest that bordered Ponyville, and upon conducting research on the subject, I uncovered documents and notes within a shack in the forest that referred to this variant of poison joke as a mutation that was capable of killing. As a result, I thereafter referred to the plant as "killing joke," regardless of the fact that I was unable to locate a remedy.

"Frankly, I thought the name was bullshit too, until I witnessed the effect of a joke played by the plants that resulted in the demise of a colleague I had during my expedition. I was rather fond of the stallion, but then again, this is the wasteland."

The small fluff had an expression that betrayed their underlying melancholy about a past loss, though they also maintained a matter-of-fact approach to the circumstances of the wasteland.

Blue started to state the obvious to the small fluff. "I'm very sorry. My friend needs help. She's horribly injured. Will you help me?"

The response that was given by the small fluff came as a relief. "Set her on the table. I will make a diagnosis," they replied.

Blue's next question was the one that any inquisitive mind would ask: "What is that you are using to speak?"

The small fluff answered with more information than Blue had imagined. "It's a translation box," they said. "The Ministry of Peace created them in hopes of obtaining the animals to cooperate with the war. That's as much as I know from the notes I read in one of the MoP offices."

As Blue placed Lumi on the table, the small fluff finally noticed their unique traits, such as their wings and horn. However, far from expressing panic, the small fluff remained unfazed. Instead, they merely observed, before posing a question.

"So you are one of those that pledge to unity?" The question was directed toward Blue, as the small fluff inquired whether she belonged to any particular group.

A feeling of sadness settled upon Blue in response to the question. "I don't remember anything about that," she said. "I don't know what unity is."

The small fluff found this interaction to be interesting, in regards to Blue's apparent lack of ties to a group espousing unity. They then requested a rather unusual favor.

"Fascinating. So you're unlikely to be like the others then, well now. This is a surprise, I've never met an alicorn that isn't promoting unity. Tell you what, I want you to be a part of some tests. I wish to take samples of your blood. In return, I shall grant this favor: I will aid your friend if you permit me to obtain said samples."

Blue appeared to be wary of accepting the small fluff's proposal, given her current condition. The suggestion to take some time to rest and recover was sound advice, in such a situation.

"I would jump at the offer, but... I am not in very good condition at the moment," Blue said, explaining her reluctance. "I've lost a substantial amount of blood and am still physically weak from starvation."

However, the small fluff's assessment of the situation was quite accurate. "Hmm...well, you need to eat then," they said.

The small fluff's question about Blue's dietary intake was understandable, given her apparent state of malnutrition.

"These bars," Blue said. She opened her saddle bag and withdrew two of them to show the small fluff.

The small fluff took the bars and closely inspected them, before declaring, "These are expired by 15 years. You must discard them."

The expiration date of the food bars Blue had been eating was a shocking revelation to the small fluff. They were likely a part of the reason that Blue was in a state of poor health.

Blue couldn't believe that the bars, which she had relied on for survival these past few days, were actually going to cause her further harm. The small fluff's subsequent pronouncement had the air of a mandatory requirement, rather than an optional request.

"But...these are all I had to eat for the last two days!" Blue exclaimed. "They kept me from dying!"

"I don't fucking care," the fluff said. "Those bars are more than likely to elicit negative outcomes. Now that you've mentioned this, I must insist that you stay here for a week to ensure your continued survival."

Blue reluctantly disposed of the food bars, conceding the point that they could cause further harm, as the small fluff argued.

Then, the small fluff inquired about both themselves along with Lumi, as they seemed to be curious about the other individual in need of medical attention as well.

"I'm Blue, and uh, that's Lumi," Blue replied. Her expression indicated some discomfort at needing to be on the receiving end of medical care, though she managed to keep her emotions and tone composed as the small fluff went about their duties.

The small fluff was quite frank in assessing Blue's intelligence, though their guess about her being from a stable seemed accurate. Blue didn't take the comments personally.

Then, the small fluff turned their attention on Lumi, observing the wounds inflicted upon her hooves. It seemed that Lumi's injuries weren't too severe, but she would still need to undergo a certain amount of treatment.

"Your friend has several punctured arteries in their hooves," the small fluff said, while examining the area up close. "Her legs are fractured but not broken, with time she will be able to walk on them again. However, I need to clean the area so there isn't any infection." It seemed that while Lumi was recovering, the small fluff was taking precaution, in order to avoid any further problems. This was an encouraging prospect, as infections could be quite detrimental to an individual's well-being. It was also good to know that Lumi's injuries were not too severe, at least as far as the small fluff could tell. But the small fluff's attention to detail and thorough care was commendable.

Blue responded with confusion to the small fluff's statement, likely due to the limited communication afforded by the translation device.

"Huh? I'm sorry, I don't understand," she said.

The small fluff then repeated, in a more simplified fashion: "Your friend will live. That is the best way I can describe it." It seemed that the small fluff, through their own experience, understood the condition Lumi was in, and were providing their assessment of her prognosis. It was reassuring for Blue to have some idea of what to expect.

Blue expressed her relief at the small fluff's positive prognosis for Lumi, given that the situation had been unclear at first.

"Thank you Doctor. I was so afraid that she would die!" Blue said with some emotion in her voice. "We got ambushed by slavers and raiders, and then I don't remember what happened after that."

Blue inquired about how long the recovery process would take, to which the small fluff gave a blunt answer.

"At least three days," they declared, "we just don't have the resources we had years ago." The fluff then provided the reason: "With the damned slavers moving into Winter Peaks, they took over the Crystal Empire Ruins and other sorts of popular cities and large landscapes in Winter Peaks." The small fluff was providing some background on the cause of the limited resources at their disposal and the threat posed by the slavers in the area.

Blue was slightly incredulous about the state of the Caretakers, thinking that their assistance shouldn't be exclusive to those in their employ. The response provided by the small fluff was less than encouraging, however.

"Uh, yeah, but the Caretakers are helping aren't they?" she questioned.

Then, the fluff replied, emitting what seemed to be a laugh, before stating, "Yeah! If you think that bullshit is true. No, they only help the people who work with them. The other settlements are left to rot if they refuse."

The small fluff, seemingly sensing Blue's shock at the revelation of the state of the Caretakers, turned their attention upon Blue. They gave a simple statement, regarding the assistance she had rendered to those working with the Caretakers.

"I helped them," Blue said, indicating that she didn't realize the implications of her good deeds.

In response, the small fluff cautioned her from continuing this support. "Well, if you want help from our group any further, you should stop assisting them." The tone suggested that she was dead serious about the absolute matter, and that this was not just a suggestion but a command.

Blue, wanting more information about the small fluff's group, enquired about them in a non-confrontational manner, given her previous mistake.

"Ah...what's your group then, if I might ask?" she inquired, genuinely curious to learn more.

The small fluff didn't seem too pleased with this question, as they offered a response that was less than forthcoming.

"We're the N.C.E.R." The small fluff said this with a cold, yet dismissive, tone, as they expected Blue to know what group they were referring to.

Blue clearly didn't have an understanding of the small fluff's group, leading to some confusion.

"Um… The what?" she asked, with an appropriate level of bewilderment.

Then, the small fluff clarified, as they corrected themselves. "Ugh, we are The New Crystal Empire Rangers," they stated. "Our group is full of the refugees of Crystal Ponies. There are hundreds of us, scattered in the Winter Peaks, and some... of our group has been sold off to the Crystal Empire Ruins."

With a sense of urgency and frustration, the small fluff continued to speak about the disastrous incident that had occurred in the past.

"The Caretakers only sent fifteen of their own..." the small fluff explained, before continuing, "...and we lost fifty of our own."

Blue, determined to be of assistance, offered to act as a liaison between the Caretakers and the NCER, with the intent of getting the two groups to work together. It seemed that her sense of responsibility drove her to want to aid in any way that she could, even if there was a good chance that she would fail in her endeavor.

The small fluff didn't appear to be too hopeful, based on their reply.

"Okay," they said, "knock yourself out then. I don't believe you, but you first need to stay the fuck put here for a little while."

Blue's demeanor seemed to change and sag, as she internalized the reality that her current situation wasn't as simple as she had originally thought. It seemed that she would have to remain in the small fluff's care for a bit longer than she had anticipated.

The fluff's reply wasn't the most encouraging either. "You're very, very stupid," they said, as they rolled their eyes. This blunt remark didn't seem to be intended as an insult, but more an observation about Blue's current state, as she was still quite dependent upon the fluff's care and help.

Blue expressed her appreciation for the small fluff's assistance once more, in a heartfelt way.

"Thank you, again."

The small fluff didn't seem too affected by this display of affection, as they quickly moved on to other matters, by issuing a reminder to Blue about the need to provide samples of her blood.

"Remember this isn't charity," the small fluff said once again, as if to clarify that they were helping her out of necessity rather than any desire for altruism.

The small fluff, who went by the name 'Genie' rather than 'Genepool,' had requested that Blue address them by their shorter nickname instead of the latter name.

Blue responded in a respectful and agreeable manner to Genie's request, indicating her willingness to provide the necessary blood samples when she was more recovered.

"Okay, Genie," she said, "I'll make sure to give you those blood samples when I feel well enough."

In response, Genie revealed that the process could be sped up by giving Blue blood transfusions, which would aid in her recovery. "As soon as you have eaten enough, I will call for someone to bring you here," Genie said, referring to a potential blood transfusion.

Blue expressed some apprehension about the nature of the blood transfusion process, but she tried to put her worries to the side by nodding curtly to Genie's request. Genie, meanwhile, retrieved some items from a counter, taking out a small box and then striking a stick against it, creating smoke that they inhaled and exhaled. Blue was unsure of the purpose of these actions, but she was willing to wait and see what Genie was doing, as they were the helper in this situation.

Upon getting a closer view of what Genie was doing, Blue noted that her caretaker was smoking a strange-looking stick of some sort. Being naturally curious, she decided to inquire about the nature of the stick, asking: "What is that you have in your mouth?"

In response, Genie seemed irritated, responding with some exasperation: "What the fuck are you still doing here? Let the doctor work, I'm taking a small break to smoke, give me some fucking peace."

In response to Genie's less than welcoming attitude, Blue apologized for her presence and swiftly left the building. She ventured outside into the cold and snowy environment, marveling at the darkness of the sky as she considered the situation to which she had been thrust. It was clear that Blue was now in a completely new world, having had no prior experience with the Caretakers or the NCER, of whom she was now in the care and custody. It would take some adjustment for Blue to fully navigate her new circumstances.

Despite the circumstances Blue found herself in, she managed to maintain a level of determination as she looked towards the future. She understood that there was much work that needed to be done, and she had to start somewhere. She drew in a deep breath of the chilled air, which carried the scent of burning fire. It was invigorating, and she allowed herself to relax slightly before setting off for the mess hall, where she presumably would continue with her work in some capacity or another.

Upon locating the mess hall, Blue sat down in front of Frazer, who seemed to be consuming a bowl of soup. The contents of the soup were unclear, leading Blue to refrain from asking Frazer about what it was, despite the soup not sounding particularly appealing. Blue, however, seemed to be satisfied with her sandwich, which contained fish chunks, wheat noodles, and seasoned hay. Blue was clearly hungry, and grateful to have food, despite the less than ideal circumstances of her surroundings.

With a bottle of fizzy-looking drink sitting in front of her in the mess hall, she seemed intrigued by its connection to the Crystal Empire prior to the conflict. The individual working in the mess hall had informed Blue that the drink was called 'crystal cider,' and was produced by the company 'sparkle dream.' This company, it was explained, sold sparkling soda containing crystal minerals prior to the war, and it had the effect of giving the consumer a shine similar to that of a crystal pony, though only for a limited period of time. Blue, expected to have the opportunity to try the drink in her stay.

She, seemingly having nothing better to do, took a bite of the sandwich, only to find the taste subpar. Disdainfully, she washed it down with the drink, which tasted pleasant. The drink had a combination of fuzzy sweetness, lime, and orange, while also providing a soothing warmth in her stomach. Blue appeared to be appeased, as she sighed in satisfaction and smacked her muzzle as she concluded the experience on a positive note.

Blue belched, and reflexively offered an apology, as she took notice of her hooves, which appeared to be unusually glossy and reflective, causing her to be momentarily puzzled. To confirm her observations, she tapped her hooves on the table, and was surprised to find that the hoof made a clang upon impact. In addition, she quickly realized that her hoof bounced off the surface, which also meant that she was unable to feel the physical properties of the table.

Once Blue had taken in the strange properties of her hooves, she soon realized that her condition must have been caused by the crystal cider she had consumed. She then quickly recovered back to normality, feeling startled by the whole experience.

Blue then turned at Frazer, who had been observing the whole thing from afar. "Oh.." was her way of apologizing, as it seemed clear that she had realized that she had been somewhat rude in her behavior towards Frazer due to her surprise and confusion about the entire situation.

Frazer shrugged off Blue's apology, preferring to move on and have her introduce herself. He began the process of attempting to establish a connection between them by saying: "You are a weird one. Anyways, don't sweat the small shit."

In response, Blue expressed her befuddlement about what she could say about herself, given her limited experience and time in the strange wasteland. She said: "I've only been here for like, two days. What do you want me to tell you about?"

Frazer maintained his optimistic perspective, noting that two days was a sufficient time length to pick up some stories. He then inquired about Blue's encounters during that relatively short period, to which she replied:

"Uh... I got attacked by the Steel Rangers, I assisted the Caretakers in killing some raiders, and I managed to kill some more raiders a couple of hours before we met."

Frazer listened, intrigued by what she had been through in such a limited time frame. He reacted with some degree of admiration towards the scale of Blue's exploits, remarking in amazement: "Daaaamn, that much of a wake on Winter Peaks? Color me impressed. Although, you'd have to do a ton more to impress Jet. He's VERY serious about folks making a big ripple."

Taken aback by this unexpected declaration, Blue quickly tried to amend her earlier statement:

"I mean, I'm going to unite the Caretakers and NCER!" Blue said.

Frazer, in response to Blue's declaration of uniting the Caretakers and NCER in her initial comment, tried to downplay her ambitions by suggesting the underground pit as a place where she would be judged on a more individual basis.

"Oh? That might make a small dip," he said, "I was thinking more along the lines of you besting another Marauder in the subterranean pit. That's where we place bets for who's gonna be the next top Marauder, and who gets to decide missions for everyone else."

Blue, however, seemed curious about the underground pit, raising an eyebrow in interest.

He continued. "No one but the tiny hippogriff ‘Yaest’ out guarding the gate has bested me. I was undefeated until she came along. She soon earned top favor with Jet, and now she seems to be his right wing. She will do any job given to her, "no matter how fucked up it is."

Blue continued listening, paying close attention to Frazer's words. "I understand. Should there be any Marauders I might have to be cautious of?" Blue inquired.

He expressed: "Not at the moment. Though, if you somehow manage to get a bounty placed upon your head, I believe that the more unhinged individuals, and those who have something against you, may target you. Hell, even the Marauders employed by slave labor may also become a potential threat.”

Blue gave a small nod and turned to Frazer. "Right, would you mind telling me about yourself? I'm intrigued."

"As a snowhound, I spent much of my past underground, digging tunnels and creating pathways for other colonies. However, these plans came to a halt when a slaver company discovered them and captured most of the colony, forcing them to work in their mines, mining minerals useful in the creation of weapons. I and many other snowhounds managed to escape after the capture by the slaver company. I was taken in by Jet shortly after, and soon found myself working as a Marauder. It's a violent choice of occupation, and one that has its thrills. There's something to be said about the satisfaction of crushing a slaver or raider's spine to nothing but dust."

Blue was almost taken aback by the violence of Frazer's words. "I mean, I know they're slavers and all, but don't they still have some love left in them?"

Frazer disagreed, shaking his head firmly. "You're being naive. Those bastard slavers don't have a shred of love left in them. They rape and torture innocent people for their own selfish pleasure. Those cretins don't deserve to live, Blue."

Blue was visibly taken aback by what she had just heard, her stomach twisting in disgust. "They really do that?" She felt nauseous from sheer terror.

Frazer nodded in response, his face showing complete disdain. "Yes, they do. And I take great pride in being the one to take them out. One less person capable of hurting anyone else in the world."

"Although we may be messed up and brutally insane as a result of our experiences with Jet, we still target and take out those who are truly evil. We do so with the help and support of the loyal members of the Marauder's clan."

Blue looked somber at the mention of former Marauder clan members who went over to the slavers' side. "Yeah, it's a shame that many of them turned to the enemy. But I'm glad that at least some have remained loyal, including yourself, Frazer."

Frazer gave Blue a sobering reminder, "We might be facing certain danger. Don't take any risks, and don't ignore the very real possibility that either one of us might die. Remain focused and remember this reality, Blue."

Blue gave Frazer a nod of resignation and acceptance.

Frazer continued "I've seen the chaos of the wasteland, seen violence and murder firsthand. I know how to use a pistol properly, and I work hard to stay alive everyday. There's nothing I would like more than to live to see a future where tomorrow is a peaceful one"

Blue listened, "I know it won't be easy, and it certainly won't be accomplished in a day or two, but I believe that one day, Winter Peaks can become a better place.”

Frazer was quite enthusiastic once the conversation shifted towards the topic of melee combat. Blue doubted that the knowledge on how to swing massive claws would be of any use to her. Despite that, she did not dare interrupt him. His eyes shined so bright - she was losing herself in them. It felt strangely nostalgic.

The tale of sharpening claws with a laser rifle was interrupted when the door to the lounge slammed open to reveal one pissed-off hippogriff in its frame. The winds ceased the opening to hurl a veritable storm of snowflakes over the empty tables.

It was Yaest, having pulled off her helmet she revealed what would’ve been a set of cute, faded-pink feathers if her voice didn’t halt Blue’s heartbeat. “What in the flying fuck, Frazer?! I've been searching for you all over. Worrie- ” her green eyes shifted towards Blue. “Why is this shit still in here?” She pointed an accusing talon towards Blue.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Yaest. I’ve completely lost track of time.” He consulted a wall-mounted clock. His eyes widened. “Oh, wow. I'll... I'll make it up to you. Promise. I could take your shifts for a while,” he pleaded, his claws clasped in a begging gesture.

Yaest’s features softened at his words.

Causing quite the commotion, Frazer clutched his belongings haphazardly in his claws and scrambled his way out the door, leaving scratch marks on the tiles as he did so.

Once his ground-shaking pawsteps faded it left behind the eerie sound of wind beating up the centuries-old roof. With nothing else to do, Blue bent down for another bite of her subpar sandwich.

That’s when a heavy hit to her back made her muzzle smear the meal over the tabletop. Blue fell off the bench and onto the dirty floor. Any attempt to move - she found out - was a painful, paralyzing experience. On the positive side, the pain emanating from her femur assured her that her spine wasn’t broken.

“I don’t want you anywhere near him,” Yeast spoke from behind her. “Next time, I'll make sure your accident won't be so pretty.”

Blue heard the heavy clop of metal-clad boots. She closed eyes and cringed, anticipating a strike that never came. The hippogriff walked away.

She spent some time on the cold, mud-littered floor - it dulled the pain. With a groan, she hefted herself onto her wobbly hooves. She kept her back arched, so it would hurt less. There came a splat from below her. Looking down, she noted that her lip was bleeding profusely. “I better waddle my way towards Genie’s.” She licked over the wound. “I wonder if this will count as a blood sample.”

Over the next four days, Blue took time to spend talking with Genie, and got to know her better. Lumi had been recovering from her injuries, and feeling relieved that she was in good health. Blue took time to relax and unwind, feeling refreshed and invigorated again. It was enjoyable to spend her time in the hospital, as it gave her the opportunity to have some conversation and connection with both Genie and Lumi. Blue was just glad to be around those she cared about, and appreciated having some time to herself to unwind after what had happened.

Blue was resting in her hospital bed, taking it easy and using this time to recover. She looked healthier and fuller now, no longer skin and bones. Lumi was lying on the other hospital bed, and Genie was taking blood samples from Blue to monitor her health status. Blue was grateful for the attention and care that Genie was providing, as she needed this time to relax and recoup.

Blue asked Genie, "Might I ask once more, why do you need my blood? I'm sorry, but the thing piercing me still hurts a bit." As she spoke, she tried to ignore the sting, not wanting to appear weak or frail in front of Genie.

Genie explained, "Alicorns aren't easy to capture, and studying a dead alicorn doesn't help me too much. I need a live one to really understand their makeup, and your cells will only be useful to me if you're still alive to make the donation."

Lumi spoke up, "Genie, you're constantly poking and prodding at Blue, when are you going to let us get back out there and onto our mission? This miracle of yours is great and all, but we've got a job to do that's not going to wait for us." She inhaled and exhaled deeply, her voice steady. Although she was feeling better and more stable all around, it would still take some time before she was fully able to put weight on her back hooves again.

Genie spoke firmly, "You two need at least a week to recover, give or take. I know you may be feeling impatient, but there's no need to rush. If you had been paying attention, you'd notice that your breathing is still staggered and your reaction to that pain shows that you're still recovering and healing.

While we've done the best we can with the resources available to us, I'm going to need you both to procure more supplies to continue providing proper care." She continued, "Well, with the way Blue has been running around Winter Peaks, I've got to admit that she's incredibly lucky to have not died a long time before meeting you.

It's strange that she's been able to survive for so long, to the point that I'm wondering if she's really too foolish to die or if there may be something odd going on with her." Genie sighed, shaking her head. "Alright, no more than one more week. After that, you both can leave this outpost."

She lit a cigarette, taking in and then discharging a deep breath through her nostrils. She spoke up, "You two had better get those additional supplies, they'll be at an old medical center nearby. It used to be run by Cadance, but I've heard strange and unnerving rumors about something inside. We can't seem to approach it either, so you'll have to go and see for yourselves."

Blue and Lumi spent time talking and hanging out with Frazer, while also evading the sharp and unfriendly eyes of Yaest. The days flew by, the hospital room becoming a comfortable cocoon for them to relax in while they waited out the remainder of their recovery period. All the while, they shared their hopes and dreams with each other for the future, and kept each other company as they awaited the time when they'd be able to leave the hospital and venture back out into the wastes.

Genie sighed in frustration, putting out her cigarette and looking at Lumi and Blue. "Looks like both of you are doing better, but we've almost used up our supplies. Now, we need to get a move on. Don't come back until you're able to procure the additional resources. I can't keep you here forever, you know?"

Blue perked up at the news, while Lumi nodded along in agreement. "Yes, finally! I've been looking forward to the moment when we could leave." Blue saw Lumi get off the table, looking more steady now on her hooves.

She was walking, but she still appeared awkward and unsteady. However, even with her injury, Lumi had improved significantly over the past few days. Blue nodded firmly in response to Genie's comment about her improved mobility. "It definitely has helped a lot. I'll do my best to find those supplies and bring them back."

Lumi also nodded her agreement, while Genie let out a frustrated sigh and looked in the direction of the door. "You two, get out. I've been patient and kind enough, but it's time for you to earn your keep. And if you manage to find those supplies and bring them back safely, the NCER will likely see this as a great service to their cause."

Both Blue and Lumi nodded in understanding, Blue holding Lumi's body against her and helping to support her as they walked out the door. Once outside, Lumi turned to Blue and asked, "You know, a lot happened while I was out. How have you been faring all this time?" She leaned on Blue for support, grateful to have her friend there as she tried to regain her strength.

However, Blue sighed, trying to hold back all of her tears within her. "It's been a lot, yeah. I woke up to find that the raiders were dead, and somehow I managed to fly us here." She shivered, the cold being a stark contrast to her emotions. "I was so cold, and I really thought that you... well I don't want to say too much." Blue cleared her throat. "But I'm glad that you're doing better, and I'm here with you now."

Lumi let out a small chuckle, as if trying to lighten the mood of the serious conversation. "That's the Wasteland for you, Blue. You kind of need to get used to it. I guess it's just a part of life here, and I think... Well, I guess I've accepted my fate. I would like to make it back home safely, but if I don't... well I would've enjoyed living here, if only for a short time."

Blue stopped and turned to Lumi. "Lumi, I promise to do anything I can in order to keep you and my friends safe." She paused for a moment, trying to find the right words to say. "Look... this place isn't exactly easy to live in. We both know this. But it's important to not just face the facts, but to also face the hope that maybe, just maybe, there's a chance that we could make things better. And maybe that hope is enough."

Lumi studied Blue for a moment, wanting to say something but holding back. It was clear to her that Blue was hurt and tired beyond belief, but she decided to set that aside in favor of completing their task. With a small smile, she said, "Yeah... you're right. We've got something important to do first."

Blue echoed Lumi's words, finding herself excited and eager to get started on the task at hoof. "Yeah! That's the spirit! Let's get this done once and for all so that we can help Genie and the NCER." She nodded, ready to start their trek to the old hospital and gather the supplies that Genie needed.

Exhausted and discouraged by the time they had already spent searching, Blue and Lumi had nearly lost hope of finding their way to the old hospital. Instead, they had found themselves at something called 'Cornerstone.' It was an interesting situation, a play on words and a twist of fate that seemed both fitting and ironic for them. But they knew that this was not the place where they needed to be.

Blue and Lumi were both out of breath with their hearts racing with sweat that dripped down their faces and had deep breathing,having spent a long time searching for the old hospital and becoming increasingly tired throughout their trek. Blue was especially feeling the effects, as she had spent a lot of their time carrying Lumi on her back. As they entered the town, they came across a group of people who couldn't help themselves but stared upon noticing the wings and horn that Blue was bearing. This caused the pair to draw attention, but not necessarily in a positive light.

Blue felt nervous as the pair entered the town of Cornerstone, and noticed the negative reactions of the people around them as they stared at her. Even though Lumi was providing her with some heat and warmth, Blue couldn't help but notice the fact that these residents may not be so friendly at all to alicorns like herself. She felt as though this treatment was familiar and something she had experienced before. But they both said nothing to the people, continuing forward as those staring continued to follow them.

"Alright, let's keep going," Blue spoke up, deciding to avoid further confrontation with the residents of Cornerstone. She was curious about their animosity towards alicorns, like herself, but she wasn't eager to find out exactly why they were so opposed to her kind. Instead, the two of them continued onward, hoping to find the old hospital where they would be able to retrieve the supplies and head back towards Genie ASAP.

"Over there," Lumi spoke up, pointing to a nearby sign. "A place to sleep. Let's go and get out of the cold." Blue nodded slowly in agreement, still struggling to move forward after the long trek. She let out a sigh, happy to finally be able to catch some rest after being out in the freezing cold for so long. The two made their way towards the sign, eager to get out of the frigid weather and find a place to rest their exhausted bodies.

They arrived at the building that had been advertised on the sign. It was an inn of some sort. Here, they could find a place to rest their tired bodies, and perhaps they could even find a warm meal. In spite of their exhaustion, Blue and Lumi entered the inn, eager to take advantage of whatever comfort and supplies were available to them. The Inn was filled with various patrons, some of which were staring at them as they entered. Blue ignored their stares, focusing on finding the Innkeeper.

"Excuse me," Blue approached the bartender who, according to the layout of the inn, would likely also double as the innkeeper. "My friend and I are looking for a place to stay for the night. We'll be out of your way in the morning, we promise." The bartender looked her up and down, his expression unreadable as he examined the two mares. He shrugged in response. "I can offer you both a shared room, if that's fine with you."

Blue noted that the stallion who was serving as the bartender/innkeeper had a white coat with black mane. His forelegs were paws instead of hooves, which was an unusual sight to see. When he mentioned the price and Lumi immediately provided the necessary caps, Blue was a little stunned. It seemed that she had a lot to catch up on when it came to currency exchange, but she was thankful for her friend's willingness to assist her. "Alright, it seems that you are set then." Blue turned to Lumi. "Let's go up to our room."

Blue and Lumi looked at each other. The bartender had been nice and willing to help, but that quickly changed when he noticed Blue's wings. He let out a sigh, clearly unhappy that he had allowed them to stay here. His demeanor shifted even further and he began to yell. "We don't serve muties! Get the fuck out of my inn, before I get these fellas here to fuck you up and throw you out!" Blue and Lumi both looked stunned. They had no idea what to do in this situation and felt threatened by the bartender's harsh words.

The bartender's eyes were narrowed and he held a shotgun in his hoof. He demanded that they leave the inn immediately, Blue wasted no time in complying. She and Lumi rushed out the door and into the cold night. They both felt tense at being chased out of the inn after being given a room so quickly and with such enthusiasm. As they raced outside, they could feel the gaze of the people who had been in the inn watching them. They felt uneasy, realizing that they were not welcome in this place, and they moved as quickly as they could to get out of sight.

Blue breathed heavily as the cold breeze blew through, her breath visible in the air. She took a few moments to catch her breath, shivering from the cold air as she did so. She felt the flakes of snow begin to collect on her coat and in her mane once again after the brief respite from the inn. It seemed like every time that they found some kind of relief from the harsh weather, it would return with a vengeance. She knew they had to keep pushing forward, however, if they were to find the supplies that Genie needed.

Blue let out a small sigh as her stomach rumbled, the hunger pains not doing much to help in her exhausted state. She turned to Lumi, feeling a bit guilty for the situation she had gotten her friend into. "I'm sorry..." She looked down at the snowy ground, her head hanging low. "You are sticking with me... I think I'm a problem..." She then paused, her expression changing from sadness to determination. "No, I'm not going to leave you here." She looked back up at Lumi, her expression much more confident. "We're going to make it work."

"We trusted each other this far. I'm not going to let that trust go to waste." Lumi spoke to Blue, her face and tone expressing a sincere and heartfelt message.

"I'm not either." Blue responded, showing confidence and determination in her voice.

Following the scent of sweet aroma coming from an unknown location, Blue followed it, her mouth watering as her stomach rumbled in hunger. The scent was getting stronger, and the snow was getting thicker as she walked.

Lumi's cheeks reddened in embarrassment as her stomach growled loudly. She exchanged a sheepish glance with Blue before speaking up, her voice tinged with slight embarrassment. "Let's just hurry to find the source of that delicious scent," Lumi said, her cheeks flushed with color.

Blue chuckled softly in response to Lumi's comment, her laughter a welcome momentary reprieve from the recent troubles she had endured. Lumi gave her a small, softened smile in return, appreciating Blue's ability to find humor even in difficult circumstances.

Blue was feeling exhausted, but the aroma was helping to sustain her, keeping her going. As she followed the scent, she knew she was on the right track and getting closer to something good that would help fulfill her stomach and fill her mind with content and relief.

Blue's stomach rumbled intensely, the aroma turning into the scent of delicious food. Her hunger was becoming more and more difficult to ignore. As she followed the scent, she saw a bright light.

FOOTNOTE

RANK UP: Wild Wasteland

You now will explore the wasteland and run into very bizarre and wild things from the wasteland

S.P.E.C.I.A.L

• S:13
• P:15
• E:7
• C:9
• I:7
• A:4
• L:15