“You have to be kidding, First Sweetie Belle and now Apple Bloom?” Scootaloo grumbles as she walks down the road from Ponyville to Sweet Apple Acres. The sound of a gently flowing cool breeze flowing past her and through her orange coat.

“You’d think they'd want to go to our old clubhouse!” Scootaloo angrily calls out to the sky and open air. Her thoughts going back to her younger years as a kid, the memory feeling as if it was just yesterday while being a lifetime ago. Slowly her mind wanders to Sweetie Belle who out of the three has become so much like her sister since her twentieth birthday.

“When did those two go and become so grown up?” Scootaloo groans as she kicks a stone down the road before clenching her teeth and letting out a frustrated scream to the open air. “Why can't we just have fun like we used to?”

As if in response to her cries the wind picks up slightly as a strange tingling sensation flows through the mare. Drawn from her thoughts Scootaloo forces the memories away and looks around as the wind becomes more gale in nature, blowing up dust from the dirt path she had been trotting along. Shielding her eyes with her wing she is met with the landscape taking on a slightly red tinge as a thunderous crack sound rips out from above her.

“What in Equestria…?” Scootaloo starts but her question does in her throat as she looks up only to see a portion of the sky over her and Ponyville had become a swirling mix of red, black, orange and yellow as thunder streaks course through the clouds. Whatever is going on isn't normal, and whatever it is isn't good. Turning tail she begins to full force gallop towards sweet apple acres using her wings to help propel herself forward but soon she is hit as if with. Brick wall of wind that scoops her up and throws her into the air.

Struggling to right herself she extends her wings beginning to fight to get back to anywhere that could be safe but the more she fights the more she finds herself thrown around like a sack of potatoes. Nearing the thunder her heart begins to pound and race as she struggles and struggles but all in vein as she hears the roaring winds and swirling energy with static in the air.

Tears well up in her eyes as she looks over to where Cloudsdale floats in the air, opening her mouth she cries out. “Rainbow Da-” but before she can finish she is gone and in the following hours the strange anomaly dissipates as Royal guards and the founder bolts work together to assess what had happened. None knowing a young mare had gone missing.

***

The slow pitter patter of rain falling on to the wild untamed lands fills the air as in a small slope lies the unconscious form of an orange coat mare with a purple mane, her eyes closed and her breathing slow and steady. However as time ticks by the sound of speech breaks through the water and wind of the storm. From over the hill Scootaloo lies on two beings come over, their forms cloaked in dark colored cloth and plastic rain protectors while masks of dark green plastic cover their faces. The gas masks cover all but their eyes for their heads, on the rest of their bodies are clothes with equipment tied to straps or hooks. Bags and pouches rest on their hips, backs, and legs.

Slowly as they draw near one of them, the shorter and younger one catches eye of the mare and freezes in place bringing a weapon to the ready. A few tense moments pass but upon seeing no movement from the mysterious thing they lower their weathered pump action shotgun. “Fox.” They call out in a youthful voice getting the attention of the tallest of the trio. He had been focused on scanning the surrounding hills and trees for anything, trusting the front liner who just called for him to handle alerting them of any incoming danger.

So when there came a call but not of alarm he came in with curiosity. “This best be good.” Fox says as he gets to the younger man. All the while he keeps a keen glancing eye over to their right, where the tree line loomed. However when he follows the young man's gaze he is greeted with the sight of a being he has never seen before.

“What the heck is this? It looks like a mutant but…” The young man trails off as Fox rubs his chin in thought.

“You haven't seen anything like it? Neither have I.” Fox says as he approaches the unconscious form of Scootaloo and places his sniper rifle on the ground only to pull out a silenced pistol. Flicking the safety he keeps it ready to fire, squatting down he begins to examine the strange being.

“What the hell is taking so long?” An almost drunk sounding man yells as he comes over to them with his assault rifle in hand leaning against his shoulder so it points upward to the dreary sky.

“I found something odd. A mutant but nothing like the usual.” The young man says as he holds a hand out to Fox who has begun examining the wings of the being.

“Ay, you really stopped us to look at some beast? Just cap it and tie it to your back. We can butcher it later.” The drunk man says as he rubs his head irritated at the hold up. “I have some booze waiting for me back in the village.”

“You think it's normal procedure for something like this? When was the last time you saw a horse in the Zone?” Fox snaps slightly getting a jump from both of the two standing individuals.

“I mean, I don't fuckin know but can't be that special. Maybe it walked in and got screwed with my the rads.”

“It took a ton of planning and improvising with the intent to get in here when I arrived, Rat, do you think a horse could accidentally get in?” The young man gets no response from said Rat individual who groans and shakes his head as he turns to keep watch.

As Fox examines the creature he brings the pistol barrel to her head, ready to put the perceived beast down. However as he aims at the mare she groans slightly as she opens her eyes faintly speaking. “R…Rain… bow… Dash..?” But as she says her friend's name she passes out again. Looking up, Fox is met by the turned heads of Rat and the younger man. Looking at each other for a couple minutes the only thing that can be heard is the rain and wind once more.

“That thing just spoke.” Rat exclaims in shock getting a nod from Fox.

“Thanks for stating the obvious.”

“What do we do?”

“We take it back to Sidorovich and sell her Sparrow.” Rat says with glee as he lets out a chuckle. “Think about the Rubles we will get. Screw the wish granter, it is our jackpot.”

“Like hell it is, Sid would likely just pay rock bottom and you know it.” Sparrow says, stepping towards Rat who matches him as they glare at each other.

“Enough!” Fox barks, breaking their tension and forcing them to look at him with just the word alone. “Sparrow, you are running the lightest, grab it and carry them. We are going to be going back to the village to have Sidorovich look at it. He's a bastard but he can tell us what to do with it.”

“Huh, it's not often I see you not know procedure out here.” Rat says with a snicker.

“Cram it, this is procedure.” Fox says as he holsters his pistol and grabs his Sniper Rifle. Thankfully they weren't far from their village, with a half an hour walk they arrive back home. Upon arrival though they get looks and hushed words as Stalkers like them all marvel at what they have brought back.

Making their way through the village they get to a hatch leading down into the earth. Going down the steps, around two corners to the left they are met with a large, metal, rotating handle bunker door. Grabbing the handle, Sparrow opens the heavy metal door that swings wide open. The sound of grinding metal from the hinges getting the attention of the man inside. Warm, moist, stale air wafts out with the smell of a roasted chicken mixed with sweat while a hint of mildew follows close behind. Walking in Sparrow places Scootaloo on a table to the left of the door where stalkers unload stuff they wish to sell. As the man behind the cage watches them the usual greeting he gives Stalkers dies in his throat.

“What the hell is this? It looks like a mutant but you knuckleheads can't butcher it yourselves?” He grumbles as he stands up from his chair to look at the creature they brought in, as he does the three stalkers take off their masks. Fox being first and with a stern even look fixes his greying black hair and rubs his chin that is covered in wet stubble.

“The creature isn't like a normal mutant.”

“Yes I can see as much, horse or not I don't take whole beasts… is it breathing?” He asks as he looks closer with narrowed eyes only to look back at the trio. Rat has blond hair and a more rough and dingy look while Sparrow has brown hair and seems as if he has just left college. “I also expect you to butcher it yourselves.”

“It isn't just that it's a horse, these wings don't have any signs of being growths due to mutation from Radiation. It also… spoke.” Fox says, knowing he might be called crazy. Wouldn’t have been the first time for him. Sidorovich scrutinizes him deciding how to handle this as a seasoned Stalker just told him an animal spoke. However before he can decide Scootaloo kicks her hooves letting out a hushed whisper.

“Sweetie…” upon hearing this Sidorovich looks the horse up and down, a nagging sense of deja vu washing over him as he rubs the back of his head.

“Ah, I have a feeling I'll regret this if I pass it up. Fine, I'll buy it and pay a finder's fee.” The man grumbles as he starts to count out some cash and after determining an amount he is satisfied with, placed it on the counter. “Twelve thousand take it or leave it. It's a bit more than what I'd pay for a butchered Beasty.”

“That works.” Fox says as Rat is about to protest forcing them to go silent in annoyance. Taking the cash he nods to Sidorovich who waves to them.

“Happy doing business, good hunting Stalkers.” He calls out as the door closes and the three depart leaving the merchant with Scootaloo. Coming out from the cage he locks the door to the shop. Looking at the horse up close he runs a hand over Scootaloo’s cutie mark. Looking at her wings and true to Fox’s claim the wings look natural, not bulbous or malformed. Nor is her fur matted or unkempt, he can tell this thing is very new to the zone. Giving her a one last look over he makes a mental note that the coloration in her fur also seemingly is natural for her and that this being thanks to the voice and her personal area is in fact female.

“Why do the weird ones always end up in my lap unconscious?” He says as he takes the horse and carries her behind the cage, making sure to unlock the shop door as he enters the back cage and seals the two behind it.

This room being the first place Scootaloo will ever see, of the Zone.

Author's Note

Hey everyone, been a bit. Sorry I have been MIA. My writing kinda hit a road block. I recently had my pc need repairs so while it was away I decided to fill that time with writing. I hope you all like it and feel free to give me feedback.