Fallout Equestria: Brotherhood

CHAPTER 9: GODS OF THE NEW WORLD

Neo and Adam were sitting on a small pile of old moldy hay in the entrance of Arena. It had stopped raining, and the crowds cheering had seemed to have died down. Neo had his metal arm around his brother as they waited for Jib and Jab to stop talking on the other side of the large entry way.

They spoke quietly trying not to let anyone but themselves know what they were discussing.

"What ever happened to, 'oh we'll never see those two again' crap!"

Jab was overloading with frustration. "Listen, Jib I know what she said, but those two made it... I... I never suspected this would happen."

"Well, it did. So now what are we going to do?"

Jab was Looking at the ground in deep thought, then with a sigh he gave him an answer. "It's simple, we kill them."

Jib pulled his head back a with surprise as he looked at him oddly. "Kill them?"

"Yes, kill them."

"But, that's not the way we operate. We get ponies to do that for us... I mean really, are you just going to kill them?" He said with a slight stutter.

Jab pulled his head up and looked at his brother with a greedy look. "What would they do with five hundred caps anyway. It's not like they really need them."

Jib looked over to his brother for a moment and then looked at the two recently declared Ironhoof City champions. "How do you plan to do it?"

Jab opened his checked coat a bit for his brother. Inside was a small revolver holstered nicely under his overcoat. "It will be fast, painless, and simple. After all ponies die in this district every day."

"That is a rather... Clean way of doing it." Jib chuckled softly.

"Indeed, after all, you shouldn't send a merc to do a simple job like this." He joined in on the soft laughter.

Then Jib went stiff and pale as a frightened surprised look snapped onto his face. "J-J-Jab..." He stuttered madly as he started to tremble.

Jab was still in his good mood as he looked at him oddly with an eyebrow raised. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

"L-look behind you..."

He turned around with a cocky smile on his face, "It can't be anything too seriou-" He too had the terrified expression his brother had.

It was a Zebra clad in dark plates that were attached to his body by leather straps. Some of his darker stripes were painted red, and he wore a black blindfold on with two white dots painted where the eyes should be. On his flank was a black tiger paw, and at his side was two box shaped pistols and a long jagged knife with spikes on the outside of the grip.

His voice was dark, and smooth like the very voice of death itself. "I hope you weren't thinking on killing those two boys over there, were you?"

"N-no Warchief Bloodstrider." The two wimpy stallions whimpered in unison.

He snorted at them before continuing, "good, because if you even touch one hair on their heads, I will personally make sure you never see another day so long as you should live."

Jab fixed his coat real quick to try and conceal the gun inside. "No, in fact we were just talking about giving them their pay for fighting in the arena... yes, that was what we're about to do... heh..."

"Yes, what he said." Jib added with a nervous nod.

He just looked at them with a blank facial expression. "I hope so, for your sake."

They just stood there for a moment looking at the terrifying Zebra with forced grins. "Well?" He stated leaning closer to them.

They both shook their heads before Jab answered him, "Oh, what? Oh yes the payment... Heh, it almost slipped my mind."

Jib and Jab marched away from him with the very unconvincing smiles, and once they were out of his way their grins turned into sour frowns.

Neo and Adam looked up to the two stallions that offered for them fight out there in the beginning. Neo looked up at them with a small glint of hope in his eyes. "What is it?"

Jib and Jab looked at each other with disappointed frowns before returning to the two brothers that sat in front of them.
So, with a heavy depressing sigh Jab answered. "Well, here is your pay... As promised..."

Jab pulled out a large brown sack that rattled and jingled merrily as he sat it down in front of them. Neo and Adam looked down at the bag, "This is our pay you promised?" Adam asked curiously.

They both nodded. "Yes, there are five hundred caps there, just as promised."

Neo and Adam got up and levitated the bag into Neo's saddlebag, "Thanks, now, if you excuse us we'll be going." Neo said with a smart smirk.

The two tan stallions hung their heads down low and did not answer. Neo and Adam started to walk off back out to the bridge that connect the Arms District with the Arena, before they were stopped by an armored Zebra.

"Stop."

The two looked at him oddly. "Yes?" Adam asked quietly.

"I am Warchief Bloodstrider, I am the commander of Tiger Company, and I am quite impressed with your performance today in the Arena. It would please me if you would give me your names, I would like to know who did what many could not."

They both felt a small shock of fear at the words "Tiger" and "Company". To them he looked like he was ready to murder them right on the spot so they tried not to look scared or intimidated. "I'm Neo, this is my little brother Adam."

The strange Zebra approached the two calmly and slowly. They both backed away a bit before stopping, he put a hoof on top of Neo's head. "Your, Neo." He said with a small kind smile. Then, he moved over to Adam, "You are Adam." Adam looked up at his hoof, before looking at his eyes which were covered by the black blindfold.

"You... Can't see, can you?" Adam muttered softly.

The stranger just stood there for a moment before speaking, he ignored Adams comment and continued. "You two won in the Arena, and as such you have gained my, and Tiger Companies respect. If you boys need help, then just ask, and we will answer." He turned away and started to move away from them.

Neo stepped forward and stopped him, "Wait!"

The Zebra turned around with a small swing in his movement. "Have you seen a blue unicor-" He stopped for a moment and realized he was blind. "You mean your mother?"

Adams ears shot straight up. "You've see- I mean you've heard where she is?"

He nodded, "Yes, and she is not in this city, that much I can tell you." The Zebra swiftly turned around before continuing on the path he was on.

Adam wanted to ask him more, but he did look like he didn't like to be bothered. And pissing off another gladiator was the last thing him and Neo needed. Neo looked down at the cold metal floor for a moment before turning back to the bridge. "Adam, we need to talk to Lucy..."

Adam followed next to him closely, "I can only image what you want to talk to her about."

"Yeah, and if she's not here then we need to find out where." He said with a straight face.

The breeze was cool and crisp as they moved over to the Arms District again. They were about halfway into the middle of the circular trading area they were in before Jib and Jab found them. Across from them they heard a loud voice call out to them. "Hault!"

They turned sharply to the five green armored ponies with gas masks attached to their helmets, "Hault!" The middle one called out again.

They just looked at the group approach them, "We're this famous already." Neo chuckled.

"Maybe they're going to congratulate us." Adam added with his own chuckle.

As the guards approached them, the middle one who seemed to be leading them had slightly different armor then the rest of them. His green plated barding had red paint along the edges, sides, and middle of his armor. Even down to his tail he had a long silver braid attached to his dark blue tail. At his side was normal 10mm pistol holstered in a brown, roughly made holster. The other ponies around him each looked like the guards they had seen before with the normal green armor, and gas masks connected to their helmets. Each soldier carried either a normal looking worn pump action shotgun or a small rifle of some sort.

The guards haulted in unison five feet from them. They all stood at attention, not moving a single mussel. Neo and Adam eyed the strange guard ponies with an odd look before speaking to them.

"Can I help you?" Neo asked with a straight facial expression.

He just stood there looking at them before answering, his voice was muffled slightly by the mask he wore over his face. "Yes, High Lord Vladimir of the Ironhoof Legion request to meet with you tonight at the Iron Tower."

Adam and Neo looked at the ponies behind him for a second before returning to him. "What for? Did we do something wrong?"

He shook his head. "On the contrary, he wishes to commend you for killing the Manticore."

Adam took over the conversation for a moment, "When does he want to see us exactly?"

"He stated he would send a cart for you at your living quarters. He also requested you tell us where you live so he may send for you when he is ready."

Adam stepped forward, "We live in a shack in the commons district."

"Where exactly? We need an exact location, so please, think hard about the where it is specifically."

Neo pulled up his PipBuck and looked for Lucy's home which he had marked on his PipBuck map. "There, it's right there." He said as he showed the guard his PipBuck screen.

"Noted, thank you. His majesty looks forward to your arrival." With that he gave them a swift salute before turning to the others in his group.

Adam stepped forward and called out to him before they started walking. "Wait!"

Neo blinked at him, "Adam what is it?"

Adam turned his head to his brother, "I want to ask them something real quick."

The guard turned back to them, "Yes, what is it, we have tight schedule so make it quick."

"We need to buy a scope for a sniper rifle for a friend, so if it wouldn't be too much trouble could you please tell us where we could buy one."

He pointed a hoof to a shack on the right of them, "Go ask her, she sells rifles and attachments for them."

"Thanks." Adam said with a wave as they marched off.

Neo started to feel a small hint of anger hit him as they walked away, as he watched them it reminded him of the guards that had killed the criminals on their first day in the city. "Brother, what's the problem?" Adam asked as he turned to the shack the guard had mentioned.

"Those guards are like the ones that executed those ponies when we were on our way to get the talisman..."

Adam put a hoof on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. "I know you didn't like what they were doing, and even I can't get some of those memories out of my head. But right now, we just need to focus on moving ahead, because that's all that really matters right now."

Neo couldn't hold back his own smile, "You always have a positive outlook on things, I don't know how you do it, but you just do... Thanks Adam."

Adam chuckled. "What would you do without me?"

He nudged his brother playfully, "Hey, let's race to the shack with Lucy's scope, first one there is the winner."

"Your on!"

Neo ready himself next to Adam as he counted down. "3... 2... 1.. Go!" They both dashed to the shack the guard had mentioned so they could finally find, and buy the scope they originally got sent out to buy.

Lucy was staring at her terminal screen with her hooves up to her mouth as she glared into the empty screen in deep thought. Allie was lazily laying on her bunk staring at the ceiling. It had been hours since Lucy had sent Adam or Neo off, and it was getting darker by the hour. Allie rolled over in her bunk and looked down at Lucy from one of the higher bunks.

"Lucy?"

Lucy blinked and turned around to answer her. "Yeah, what do you want..." She said with an upset tone.

"You think we should go looking for them or something? I mean they haven't come back yet, and I'm kind of getting worried about them..."

"I..." She paused for a moment, "I don't know where they could be, or happened to them..." Her mood and tone was different than her average cocky smart, and or negative attitude. Instead it sounded more worried, and sad then normally.

Then, they heard a knock on the door. Allie hopped down from her bunk hoping that Neo and Adam were at the door.

"You think it's them?"

Lucy's expression turned normal again. "It better be."

Allie opened the door and saw Adam and Neo standing on the other side with sheepish smiles. Neo rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "Hope we aren't interrupting something, but we thought we should stop buy and see how you’re doing."

Allies face was already beaming with joy as she tackled Neo with a big hug. He put one of his own hooves around her, returning the kind gesture. As Allie hugged him she noticed the blood stained bandages on his leg.

"How, did you get that?" She asked looking at it better.

Adam walked inside and answered her. "It's a long story..."

Lucy waved her hoof for them to come in, "Yeah you sorry bums, get in here." Allie followed Neo into the shack before closing the door behind them. "And where the hell have you been anyway?" Lucy barked at them in her chair.

Neo gave her a threatening stare before setting his saddlebags on the ground. "Adam, you tell Lucy why we took so long to get her stupid scope..."

He levitated the scope out of his bag and tossed in at her. Lucy caught it with both her hooves and set it down on the keyboard of the terminal. "Yeah Adam, tell me why you took so long."

Neo sat down on his bunk, a hint of anger glinting in his eyes. Before Adam began, he sat down next to him on the old bunk. As he hopped on top of it small squeaks came from the old springs that supported the mattress they sat on.

"After you sent us off to get your scope we saw more parts of the city. I didn't take us long to find the Arms District, and after we got there we saw..." He paused trying to not let the memory of the murder bother him. "Somepony die... It wasn't right, and it wasn't like raiders dying, it was more... gruesome..." He looked at the ground before speaking again. "Then we got caught up in a crowd, but out of nowhere these two ponies, Jib and Jab is what their names are I think, took us to the Arena. "

Lucy's facial expression changed from straight to surprised. "Wait, you went to the Arena? Like the Slayer Arena?" Adam nodded at her.

"After that we fought against this big monster... It caught brothers leg, and it almost got me a few times..." He looked sadder than when he started. "I was so scared, and brother and I managed to kill it by pure accident... It was just living one moment, and then... It wasn't.

The crowd called us champions, and even the emperor wants to meet us." Adam tried to smile a bit as he finished the sentence.

Lucy looked angrily at him, "You two are both stupid... You don't want to meet him. He's just a monster, there's no difference between him and the raiders or slavers he protest against."

Neo looked over to her with his pissed look. "That's not all we found out..."

Allie leaned forward to hear better. "Yeah? And what might that be?" Lucy snickered at him.

"Our mom isn't here."

Her eyes shot open and her ears perked up as she looked at him completely taken by surprise. "But... how did you-"

"Why did you lie to us!"

Adam looked at her with his head hanging low, "We just want to know why you told us she was here..."

Allie looked almost as surprised as Lucy was, "Is this true Lucy?"

Lucy looked down shamefully, "Yes..." She muttered softly under her breath.

Lucy took in a deep breath for a amount and looked them in the eyes. "Your mother works for the Steelhoof Coalition. Her job is to run some special project somewhere in the province, and frankly, I'm not really a hundred percent sure where she is."

Neo gritted his teeth as his rage bubbled inside him. "And you thought it was a good idea to make us do free labor for you?"

She gave him a heavy sigh, "listen, I have a plan. One that will get you to your mom eventually... and it-"

Neo hopped up from the bunk in a blinding rage. "Do you think I'm going to fall for another one of your lies! Your lies almost got me and my little brother killed twice! The next thing me or Adam needs is another one of your stupid plans to kill us!" He was breathing heavy as he tried to calm down.

"Why should we believe anything you say anymore..."

Adam put his hoof on Neo's shoulder. "Brother, as much as I agree with you, I think we should give her one more chance. Please try and listen to what she has to say, please?"

Neo let out a relieving sigh, "Fine..."

Lucy smiled at them, "Thanks Adam."

"But, just do one more thing for me... please?"

Neo looked at her oddly, it was odd hearing the word please be used properly from her. "Just go onto the roof and fix my transmission antenna, then I'll tell you my plan."

Adam looked up to him with a hopeful face, "Please brother."

Neo put his hoof on Adams head and ruffled up his mane playfully. "Okay, I'll do it, but only because she asked nicely for once."

Neo looked at her curiously. "Lucy, why do you want me to do it?"

She turned her chair around so she could sit back in it. "I thought about sending Adam, but something tells me you'll do a better job."

Neo shrugged, "Then what's the problem?"

"The code files are out of place, I was actually trying to fix it from here before you guys showed up."

Neo started to make his way to the door, "I can fix that, no problem... This plan of yours better not be another lie though."

Lucy gave him her usual cocky smirk. "Don't worry, I think you'll like this idea, and this time I can promise you that I'm not lying." She crossed her heart with her right hoof, "you have my word."

Neo gave her a small nod and left to do the task he was given. He went outside alone into the cool crisp night. The gentle breeze tickled his coat as he climbed a small ladder that was attached to the side of the building. A few ponies in the pathway in front of the shack splashed in the puddles that reflected the light from the colorful lights from each building.

"I hope this plan of hers is worth it." He thought to himself as he positioned himself in front of the small thin piece of wire that came out of the roof.

It was a little cooler than normal outside, and he could see his breath form small puffs as he breathed in the moist cool air. Attached to the antenna was a small green terminal screen. He pressed the small red button on the side to turn it on, and almost instantly the small green screen flashed up with a list of numbers and boxes listing names of random stations.

He pulled up his PipBuck and looked at the stations on his PipBuck and compared the ones on the terminal with his. Oddly the signals he got were significantly stronger than when he last saw them on his first day outside the Stable. Then he found the main station that the most channels seemed to be on and help connect it.

"No wonder Lucy gave me this, it's almost easier than sorting files in the archive." He thought to himself as he watched the screen bring up a loading box.

"Now I just wait for it to connect then I'm done." Then he heard a voice come from next to him.

"Hi." The soft voice said to him.

"Holy mother of the goddesses!" He screamed as he felt his heart jump in surprise.

It was Allie on the other side of the roof across from him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to freak you out or anything."

He was rubbing his chest as he tried to calm down from the shock Allie had caused him. "No it's fine, but." His voice trailed off. "How did you get up here, and why are you up here?"

She just giggled, "Adams helping Lucy set it up inside. I decided you shouldn't be alone up here, so I came up here with you."

Neo scratched his head, "Okay, but how did you get up here?"

She cocked her head sideways with her gentle smile. "There's more than one ladder on this shack you know."

Neo chuckled a bit, "Well thanks for coming up here. I managed to figure out what the problem was, and now all I need to do is wait for it to connect to the station."

Allie moved up to him and sat down next to him. She got close enough that it was almost like a snuggle as she looked up at the colorful city that surrounded them. Neo joined in and looked around at the beautiful city, "Besides all the terrible things that happen here, it still holds a certain beauty to it."

Allie nodded. "Yeah, it looks so peaceful at night..." Allie scooted closer to him.

"In a way it reminds me of Maneton. Sometimes, during the Maneton day celebration, they put out all kinds of colorful lights. Sometimes it doesn't even feel real. It's just... magical."

"I can only imagine what it's like. Because back in the Stable, we don't really celebrate anything except the occasional birthday. And even those aren't very memorable."

She laughed a bit, "Life in the Stable isn't really all it's cut out to be huh?"

Neo smiled at her, "Nope, usually you just go to work, eat, sleep, and repeat. Not much to do other than that." She chuckled a bit at his answer.

Neo looked at her with an eyebrow raised. "You never told me why you really decided to come with us."

She looked at him in his eyes, deeply gazing into them passionately. "I... Just wanted to see the city, and..."

Neo saw past her excuse, "I know that's not the real reason." He chuckled a bit. "You can tell me, I'm sure it's not anything worth hiding."

She took a deep breath and looked at him, "I... um... I..." She stuttered.

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

Neo looked at her with a shocked expression, "Wow... that was straightforward a bit..."

Neo got a big smile on his face as he started to laugh loudly. "What's so funny?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

He settled down before answering her. "I love you too, actually I've liked you for some time now. I just didn't think a girl like you would like a guy like me, and-"

He was stopped by her pushing his head into hers as both their lips met. He felt a soothing warm, fluttering like sensation flow throughout his body as he savored every second of the wonderful kiss. And after a few more seconds she let go and looked at him, her eyelids halfway down.

"You need to stop talking and be quiet more often." She giggled.

He was speechless, that was the first time a real mare wanted to actually kiss him. The only kiss he ever got close to getting was a kiss from some drunk mare he talked to at a part when he was younger. But this... This was real, and it made him feel a hundred times better about everything. The angry, confusion, and hate all left with that small gesture of affection.

He shook his head and tried to focus again. "Wow... that was..."

"Good?"

"More like amazing."

They both laughed at his answer. "Neo, how much longer till it's done connecting?"

He looked at the screen then back to his PipBuck. "Not much longer. Only about a few minutes left at the most."

She looked down at Neo's PipBuck and saw it was opened to notes and messages. Though what really caught her eye was the several recordings on it. "Neo?"

"Yeah?"

"Where did you get those recordings?"

He looked at his PipBuck again and looked at the list of recordings left by that pony who lived in the old apartment complex back in the Under-City. "I almost forgot about these. I found them in a terminal in the old apartment complex. I thought I should download them and listen to them later."

She snuggled up next to his warm body. "Well we have a few minutes, let's listen to them."

Neo chose the first one on the list and pressed play.

It was a mares voice she sounded younger, like she was a little younger than Neo and Allie.

"Well, today was a big day for me. I swear, the longer Celestia helps the better my pay gets! Sure I have to work in that stupid old factory, but hell if I'm making 200 bits a day I'm not complaining. Though there is talk about Equestria hiring
ponies from the province to come and fight with them in the war. I don't think I could fight in the war, or let alone kill another pony. " Her voiced paused for a moment. "Oh, and did I forget to mention this is my first audio log. My friend Waving Sun said that having an audio log helps relieve stress of something... Come to think of it, I do feel a little more calm than normal. Maybe she was right after all."

The recording ended. Neo moved down to the next recording and pressed play. When she spoke this time her voice was more sad and mournful then last time.

"It's been a few weeks since my last log. And..." She stopped for a moment again before continuing. "There was a battle at Shattered Hoof Ridge today. At first I didn't want to think the Zebras could come that far into Equestria, but there they are. Somepony named Big Macintosh or something took a bullet for her... for the Princess. The war seems to get worse every week it goes on. If Equestria decides that we should fight then I can't image what would happen... I'll try and get another audio log up sometime soon... hopefully."

The recording ended again.

Neo looked back at the terminal screen to check the progress on the connection. On the screen the little green bar the indicated the percentage at which the connection was loaded said, 76% and counting. "We've still got some time left, let's listen to the last two recordings." He pulled up his PipBuck again and selected the next recording.

Her voice was extremely different from the last time, instead of a sad depressing tone it was almost as if she was about to cry. And as she spoke, her words were muffled by the sound of her crying. "I... I don't even know where to start... So much has happened so fast. Okay, calm yourself Tuesday, you need to get a hold of yourself... Okay. My name is Tuesday, I am a technician in the Ironhoof weapons factory. It has been several years since the province offered to take financial aid from Equestria." She stopped for a moment, in the background it sounded like she was getting losing it. "The troops... they're saying the mega-spells won't affect us if they're dropped in Equestria, but they're just lying to keep us from panicking... Maybe I can get to Stable one hundred and forty two, maybe it hasn't closed yet." She stopped at the sound of chants and explosions in the background.

"...Damnit, the protesters are outside... The streets are filled with them, my friends think that these riots and protest will help us. They're just being stupid, Luna and Equestria stopped giving a damn-" Then a loud long drawn out siren could be heard. "Oh no. Oh dear Celestia no! This can't be happening! First the sky, now a mega-spell!" She started to cry and let out hacking coughs as she spoke. Before she started again the sounds of gunshots and panic could be heard. "Fuck... Just fucking great... This is it then... my name is Tuesday... This is my final audio log... I should have listen but I was stupid, I didn't l want to leave. I just wan-" A loud explosion and then a sort second of static followed.

Neo was speechless. What he had just heard was, terrible. Simply terrible. Just thinking about what it would be like at that moment when everything in the world was just, gone was gut wrenching. Allie hung her head low as she payed respect to the owner of the recordings.

"She sounded like she was just trying to get by in some hard times..." Allie said mournfully.

"Nopony deserves to die like that..."

Neo looked at the last recording on his PipBuck, the date seemed more recent. In fact it was recorded only a few days ago. "Should we even listen to it. I mean after hearing that?"

Allie nodded at him. His hoof pressed the play button and the message started. This time it was not the mare from the other recordings, rather, it was a more familiar voice. "I don't have much time so I'll make this quick. I just got away from four ghouls, and damn those things can run. I want to find the idiot who sets up those damn tripwires and crap, and kill the stupid fuck. Anyway, my names Cloudy. I run one of the entrance gates to the ground level of the city. If you find my body, don't take my stuff. I'm leaving this as a message so in case I die doing this fucking errand then somepony can tell others that I tried. I swear, why I help the Coalition is beyond me. But they want this talisman and their paying good money for it. They said something about this unicorn from a Stable wanting it in the town of Arkcannon or something."

Neo's perked up at the statement, "Mom?" he said while she paused for a moment.

"You know what? Fuck this. I'll just get somepony to do it for me, I don't have to do this. I'll just post this as a job or something on the work board later or something." The recording ended.

A voice from in front building called out to the two on the roof. "Hey! You two up there!"

Neo and Allie turned around and looked at the yellow unicorn stallion with a nicely decorated cart hooked up to him. "Yeah, what is it?" Neo replied from on top of the roof.

He levitated a piece of paper in front of him, a small green glowing aura surrounding it. "I'm here for the two from the Arena? Is this the right place?"

"Yeah, you've got the right place."

"Alright then." He put the paper in a small bag at his side and he cleared his throat before speaking. He spoke with a proper pompous tone. "His majesty Lord Vladimir requests an audience with you at once. I have been sent to take you to the tower where he resides."

Adam and Lucy heard him from inside and came out to inspect what was going on. "Who the hell are you?" Lucy said eyeing the pony with a pissed glare.

"I'm Rick Shaw. I take ponies to destinations in the city via my cart." He said placing his left hoof on his chest in a dignified manner.

Adam called out for his brother with his hooves cupped at his mouth. "Brother we need to go!"

"One sec I'll be right down!"

He looked at Allie again with a pleasant look on his face. "I'll be back soon. I promise."

She nudged him in the solder. "You better be, and don't keep us waiting like you did last time."

"Don't worry about it. It's just a meeting, I'll be back in two hours tops."

Adam was practically bouncing in his seat as they passed by huge magically lit neon buildings that seemed to tower endlessly into the sky. Neo liked looking at the new section of the city, even if the ponies glared at them as they went. The cart they were in didn't bump or shake as Rick Shaw masterfully pulled it across bridges and across the tops of buildings. The cart they were in was probably the nicest cart they had seen so far, it was decorated in a soft velvet red cloth that felt soft and silky like a newborn foal. The entire chart itself was a piece of art, with its golden details around its sides and curved edges, and the four wonderful sleek steel wheels that supported it.

Slowly the city around them started to change, it was becoming less crowded, and less and less buildings could be seen as they continued. Finally they came to the last building in front of them. Beyond them was a dark circular field that exposed the ground level and all its horror. All around the field was the rest of the beautifully lit city, it was clear as to where they were now, because they were at the very heart of the city itself.

Rick Shaw came to a slow stop at a gate that connected a long dark iron bridge to the only building in the center of the dark field. The building towered higher up than any they had seen before, and it's large spotlights displayed it like a trophy in a case. From the top to the bottom the building was separated into different segmented pieces that seemed to get smaller as the tower got higher. One of the most notable features was the large gashing hole that seemed to connect to the large iron bridge that span across the dark abyss below. The last most noticeable thing about this building was the four large green flags draping over each side of the building. At the center of each flag was a large black horse shoe, and a equally as black star to match it at its center.

There were several largely built ponies in dark green armor, only these ponies wore an armor that looked more like something a knight would wear instead of a soldier. Their eyes glowed a sicking yellow, and the helmet that they wore had long tubes connecting to the heavily armored body of the wearer.

One of the ponies came up to Rick Shaw with a battle saddle armed, "State your business commoner."

Rick Shaw levitated the small piece of paper he had earlier and showed it to him. He glanced at the paper before signaling the other ponies at the gate. Then, with a bow he backed away from the cart. "I will inform his majesty of your arrival, enjoy your stay." He stated before returning to his post.

The trip across the bridge didn't last long, and once they had crossed Rick Shaw cocked his head back to the two passengers. "We’re here."

Neo and Adam hopped off the cart and observed their surroundings. They were in a massive room with large pots with glowing gems filling them. Small golden elevator shafts lined the back wall of the inside of the building. As they looked up they say more of the same flags hanging from the high ceiling that towered several stories high.

Ponies with robes and the normal dressed guards marched around the area in an orderly manner. But the last and most admirable piece of the interior was a large iron statue of a magnificent unicorn stallion standing proud on a copper pedestal.
Adam went over to the statue and looked at the details of the figure. It was clear to them both that whoever the emperor was he lived a very high form of life.

At the bottom of the statue was a small plaque with an engraving on it: I am the beginning, and end of the new world. For I am its new god.

Adam looked up to his brother for answers. "Brother, what do you think it means?"

Neo gave him a puzzled look as he looked at the saying. "I don't really know Adam. Your guess would be as good as mine would."

They both flinched a bit as they were taken by surprise by a guard with the same red stripes down his middle. "Are you the ones his majesty sent for?"

They both looked at him and nodded in unison. "Good, then please, follow me." He turned around and made his way to one of the few golden elevators that had stopped at the bottom.

The two brothers followed right behind him and waited as several other ponies left the elevator in front of them. "Please, guests first." The guard insisted with his hoof motioned at the elevator.

So, cautiously they entered the elevator first before the guard followed behind them. He pressed one of the many golden buttons on a the control pad on the elevator. Then a with a tiny ding, the doors closed and the elevator shot up the shaft to the higher floors above. It only took a few seconds for the doors to reopen again. The floor they were on was much more different then first floor which was now below them.

In front of them was a long hallway, with a high ceiling that was decorated in a variety of different artistic figures and chandeliers.

The guard pointed to the end of the hallway with is left hoof. "Just go through those oak doors at the end, once you're there you will be in the presence of his majesty. So, it would be wise to act respectful in his presence."

Neo and Adam gave him a calm nod before he went back into the elevator. The ding softly rang as the golden doors closed behind them.

Looking down the hallway they trotted at an even pace as they admired the amazing architecture of the building, but the one thing they found most intriguing was how amazingly clean the whole place was. In fact it look brand new, like time itself had no effect on this stunning place.

Once at the door Neo nervously knocked on it. But, before Neo could touch it the door creaked open slowly and the same smooth voice from the spritebots called out to them from inside the room. "Please. Do come in." It sounded welcoming, in a creepy sort of way.

Neo nudged the door fully open with his snout and they both walked into the dark room. Inside was a large fireplace with a hellish like fire burning inside it and a golden mantle surrounding the top. There was a small purple coach and a blood red leather chair that was turned to a huge window that looked over the city.

"Please, sit. Make yourselves at home." Called the voice from the chair. Adam trotted over to the coach and jumped on it enthusiastically.

He bounced a bit before sinking into the comfortable seat. "Brother, you should really try this thing, it's so.." He wiggled around in it a bit to get more comfortable. "Soft..." He finished blissfully.

Neo shrugged and decided to join him. After all, he did say to make themselves more comfortable.

The chair was turned around and in front of the couch the two sat on. Neo curiously looked at the chair across from them as he too enjoyed the amazing coach.

Both of their ears perked up as they saw the chair slowly turn around. "Hello there. I take it you enjoy the coach?"

The pony who was speaking was a larger then average unicorn stallion with a pure red coat, and a flowing black mane the drapped across the side of his head and neck. He was middle aged so the occasional silver streak mixed in with the rest of his dark mane. His horn was also significantly bigger then most unicorn ponies, and he looked more healthier than any pony they had seen out in the wasteland.

"I, am High Lord Vladimir of the Ironhoof Legion." He said in a dignified manner.

Neo and Adam bow their heads slightly in respect, but he stopped them before they had started. "Please. Do not bow."

They lifted their heads again and looked at the unicorn smirking at them from his chair. "So. Shall we begin?" He said levitating a small glass of wine that was on a small nightstand next to him. Adam and Neo looked at each other and gulped quietly, the moment had turned around. At first they were happy, and in some ways thrilled to meet this fabled emperor, but now that they were actually here, and looking at him only made them nervous.

"Please don't be shy." He said in a smooth, calming tone.

"I'm Neo, and this is my little brother Adam."

"The pleasures min-" He stopped only to focus onto their PipBucks.

"What is it?" Adam said out of curiosity.

He took his gaze off their PipBucks for a moment to answer. "Oh, it's nothing. Though, it would be nice to know which Stable you came from?"

Their eyes both widened at his statement. "Y-you... you know we come from a Stable, but how?" Neo stuttered.

"I can tell by just looking at you." He took a small sip from the glass he was levitating next to him. "You two look too healthy to be born and raised out here, and those PipBucks look far too new to be used."

They both started to look at themselves to see what he meant by clean, because they clearly haven't had a bath in several days. What made it worse was that they even looked more filthy than some of the ponies in the Arms District.

"Oh, and I do apologize if my pet managed to injure you." He looked at Neo's wound on his leg.

Adam glanced at it before looking back at the red stallion. "But I'm sure you gave my pet a proper punishment for it by killing the damned beast."

Neo and Adam smiled sheepishly. "We didn't mean to kill it, honest. It was just by accident that I killed it after it tripped."

"Nonsense," he said shaking his head. "It doesn't matter if you killed it by accident or not. What does matter is that you in fact killed it."

"So, since you did kill it. I'm going to make you a deal." He grinned at them wickedly. "I want you two become captains in my army. You will have a good place to rest, decent pay, and the better of the food." He took another sip of the wine.

"All you need to do is say yes. It's as simple as that."

They looked down in thought, and even though the offer sounded nice that would mean that they would have to become just like those ponies who killed those criminals in front of a whole audience. "I... I don't know..." Adam scratched his head.

"Brother, what do you think?"

Neo recalled the whole scene on the first day in the city. It was still as clear and vivid as the day he was there. He managed a strait serious face, "I'm sorry but the answer is no."

The unicorn lay back in his chair with a disappointed look on his face. "What about you? What's your answer?" Neo and Adam looked at each other and knew clearly what the answer was.

"I'm sorry, but I'm with him on this."

"Him." He grunted. "Pity, it really is..."

"You're not mad, are you?"

"Not at all, rather I respect your choice."

They both had a puzzled look. "Really?" Adam asked.

"Indeed, really."

He got up from his chair and moved to the fire place. He sat down on the red carpet the covered the floor. The golden flames danced and moved like mystical dancers. "You know. There is truly a lot of history within these old buildings..."

Neo and Adam just let him finish. "These buildings are made of refined Dark Iron, or at least the structure is." He placed a hoof on the side of the fire place. "It's amazing to think that at one time ponies lived in these without fear. Without having to look out onto this sad world... I envy them. I really do."

"Now," he motioned his head to Neo and Adam, "do you believe the goddesses still live?"

The two brothers were taken back by the random question, but they already knew the answer. "No, in the Stable records it says the goddesses died almost two hundred years ago." Neo said recalling the very records that had this information.

Vladimir chuckled, "Well... you are right, they are dead." He took another sip of the wine. "Do you two know what happened to this world?"

They both shook their heads. "Well," he chuckled, "let me tell you real quick." He paused and looked at them from in front of the fire place. His shadow cast an ominous figure against the wall behind them. "Two hundred years ago a weapon of great power was created. A weapon of mass murder meant to destroy all forms of life on this planet. There was a war. A terrible war that turned us into something horrible... something evil. Eventually our own greed and hate gave way and we ended it all those many years ago..."

Neo spoke up. "The Megaspells?"

"Yes, the Megaspells..."

He spun around back to the flames. "It was then the world ended... and though all the ponies of this land and others might have died out, these buildings survived... They were preserved... and eventually, awaken to live out their purposes once more."

"So there was some kind of war, and in the end both sides used megaspells on each other?"

"Yes Neo... and with the end came a new beginning. Because the megaspells were meant to clean the hate and filth from our world, but instead it cleansed the world of everyone else leaving only the very thing it was meant to destroy."

"Why are you telling us this?" Neo asked leaning against one of the arms of the coach.

"Because very few ponies out here understand what really happened, or why I do what I do."

"What is it you do?" Adam added.

"What I do? I have started a path that will pave the way to a bright new future." He was fully standing now, he had a small spark of energy that they hadn't notice was there before. "For sixty years I built this empire, and once I finish taking this province I will move on to becoming the new master of Equestria, and then... the world."

Neo leaned over to Adam, "This guy's crazy." He whispered.

Adam laughed quietly at what his brother had said. Vladimir didn't seem to notice his little laugh and continued. "I have risen to the top so that any and all will live a life much like it was in the old times. And when that day comes I will be god of the new world."

"Okay, this guy is totally nuts." Neo thought to himself as he listened to him.

"Though, there are others that share my idea of a new world. You could say that it could be a battle of the gods, after all it is an open world just waiting to be fixed..."

He got back into his chair and poured a new glass of wine. "But enough of my dreams, what is your goal in this world? You must have something that you want to do."

They gave him a weird look as they debated whether it was a good idea to tell him what they were looking for. "We're um..." Adam muttered under his breath.

"Please, speak up. I won't bite." He said with a dark smile.

"We're looking... for our mother..."

His grin faded, "Oh, well then I wish you luck on finding her. But, might I ask who she is?"

Adam suddenly felt happy that he was being asked questions about their mother. "She's a unicorn with a lab coat, and the most warmest smile you'd ever see, and she makes amazing cookies, and she is the smartest pony I know and-"

"Please." Vladimir said with a hoof raised, it was clear he was slightly irritated by Adams perky response. "I just asked who she was, not what she does."

Neo decided to take over the conversation. "She's a unicorn who used to work for our Stable, she left, so now we're out here looking for her."

"Interesting..."

Then a small fuzzy beep came from the chair he was sitting on. "Sir, he's here. What do you want us to do?"

Vladimir pressed a small button on the arm of his chair and answered, "Send him up, tell him I'll be with him in a few minutes.

"Yes sir."

Vladimir looked at them with his hooves together, "I'm so very sorry. I truly am, but there is some business I need to take care of. Maybe we could meet again sometime, and continue our little conversation."

Neo nodded at him, "Yeah... It was... nice." Neo said shyly.

Adam nodded in agreement.

The door they came through opened and the same guard from before was standing in the doorway. "Ah!" He said looking at the soldier behind them. "Captain please escort them back to their home." The soldier gave him a swift salute.

Neo and Adam went over to the door, "But, one last thing before you go." He said stopping them.

"My offer still stands if you ever change your minds."

"We'll think about it." Neo said before turning back to the hallway they came from.

The door closed with a loud echo that rang throughout the room. Vladimir's face went straight as he took another sip of his wine. "If those boys are who I think they are, then they hold the key to winning the game... If they find out who they really are, and who she is then this could complicate things..."

He looked back at the flames, "but if all goes according to the way I planned it out then I should find her even if they don't work directly for me..."

The door on the other side of the room opened with three ponies standing in the doorway. "Sir, we brought the mercenary like you requested." Said one of the green armored soldiers.

Without turning he replied. "Good. Mercenary step forward so that we may talk."

The mercenary trotted over to him with both guards standing at each side of him. "We found him at some bar kiss up on some mares before we brought him here."

"Does he fit all the requirements?"

The first soldier nodded. "He's Equestria born, he's willing to do the work, and he's not well known in the province sir."

Vladimir chuckled. "Good... but, can our mercenary confirm all of this?"

He nodded at him.

The mercenary was tall, with blood red stripes down his neck and legs. His coat was a dark, jet black, and his mane was a blue that was just as dark as his fur. He wore a long black trench coat that hung over his sides. The many leather holsters, and small pouches on his body were empty, and a rough, old gas mask hung from his neck.

Vladimir turned his head slightly to him, "Ah and you're a pegasus too... This makes things... interesting."

The mercenary just ignored his statement and shrugged. "Yeah, whatever. As long as you've got the caps I'm willing to do anything."

"Yes, I'm sure you are." He looked back at the flames, "you do know what your task is, correct?"

He shook his head. "Then let me tell you. Your task is to find and follow those two boys, I'm sure you saw them on the way over here correct?"

He nodded slowly. Vladimir spoke again, only this time his voice had a faint amount of anger in his words. "Good. I want you to stay out of sight, and make sure they don't die as they look for their mother. They hold the key to winning this game with the Coalition. And once they find her, I can finally take back what they stole from me."

"Seems simple enough. What's the pay again?"

Vladimir looked down at the wine in his glass. "You will receive a total of two hundred and fifty caps every two weeks if you deliver an expectable, or otherwise useful amount of information back to us. You may receive your payment at any Legion outpost or facility as long as you have confirmed your findings with us."

"So, follow these two, tell you where their going and what their doing, and I get paid lots of caps."

The red unicorn smirked. "I'm glad your ears work."

The pegasus ignored him and continued to listen. "If you should fail at bringing us valid information... well, let's just say you won't be a very happy pony after I'm done with you."

Vladimir set his almost finished wine down on the floor next to him. "We will give you all the equipment you will need, free of charge of course. You may have access to all of our armories throughout the province. Though, I do ask you don't take too much of my weapons."

The mercenary growled at the two guards next to him who flinched a bit as he spoke. "Don't worry, once your stupid guards give me back my gear that'll be all I need."

"Good, then are you willing to sign a contract?"

He nodded.

"Very well." Vladimir turned his head and pointed his horn at his chair, and there just out of nowhere a quill and scroll came floating over to him. "But, before you sign I would like to know your name. Spoken by the names owner."

The pegasus started to sign the document, "The names Skyward Flame, and count the task..." He said before getting done signing the document. "Done."

Vladimir chuckled as he took both the scroll and quill. "Very good. I expect only the best from you, after all you are under a contract."

Foot Note: Level up

New perk: Spirited: You've got spirit! You gain +1 in strength and +1 in perception and luck with every level.

Would you like to level up Adam as well?

Yes-

No

Foot Note: Level up

New perk: A little elbow grease: Hacking terminals is now 15% easier. You also gain +2 in repair and +2 in science with every level.

Proofread by:

Noakwolf

wayofthepen

Colonel Lat Muffin

(I know there are some errors but then again two of my main proofreaders are gone for awhile. Tell me what you think! I feel like this came out very well.)
(Thanks guys!)