Fallout Equestria: Brotherhood

CHAPTER 10: THE STEELHOOF COALITION

They were halfway back to Lucy's shack as Rick Shaw pulled the cart through the tireless city. The wheels splashed in small puddles that had formed during the storm earlier that day. A cool breeze blew by every now and again as the two brothers sat and waited for their ride to end. Like before, the ride was smooth and calm despite a few glares from the ponies they passed by.

"I can't believe he thinks he's some kind of god. Maybe it's the stress or something." Adam said keeping his voice low.

"His view on himself is a little... off."

Adam chuckled a bit, "more like a whole mile off."

Neo joined in on the small laugh, "it seems that way, doesn't it?"

"Yeah..." Adam looked up to his brother curiously. "You know, if our mom isn't here, then where do you think she is?"

Neo pointed down to his PipBuck. "I downloaded a few messages from when we are at the lower part of the city. After listening to some of them, one of the gate workers said something about a unicorn working with the Coalition. Though what really gets my attention was that she said, she was from a Stable."

Adam's face lit up with joy, his eyes practically twinkling with happiness. "What else did she say?"

"She said that she was in some town called Arkcannon, or something." Neo sighed heavily, "but I don't have a clue where that is, or if we're able to get there."

"Maybe Lucy's plan will help."

It had slipped Neo's mind entirely. Lucy did have a plan, and she was going to tell them about it before she sent him to fix her communication antenna. Neo was still a little weary of the idea, but if it got them any closer to finding her then it was well worth a shot.

"Hopefully, I wouldn't get my hopes too high though. But doing anything right now would probably be better than doing nothing at all."

"She looked like she knew what she was talking about, so that has to count for something, right?"

Neo playfully ruffled his mane with his metal hoof. "Yeah, she does seem sure about it this time."

Adam smiled contently, his mane was all frazzled and shaken up. "See, just have a little hope in her. I'm sure we'll get to finding her once she tells us."

They both lay back in the comfortable seats as they watched the city pass by. Every time they would cross a bridge Adam would look over the side and gazed at the city below. It was pitch black, and small shapes and roads could barely be seen from where they were.

Neo noticed that the Commons District sign passed right above them as the cart finished crossing the bridge. Rick Shaw cocked his head back to the two without stopping. "Hey you two, we're almost there."

Neo sat up straight and nodded to their driver. And within a few minutes they pulled up right in front of her shack. "Alright, everypony out. Rides over." Rick Shaw said with his head turned to the side.

Neo hopped out of the wagon first, then helped Adam get out after him. Neo went up to Stallion who had carried them, "Here," he said as he levitated a small amount of caps into a pouch on his saddle he was hooked up to.

Rick Shaw looked surprised at him, "Well, thanks for the tip. I don't usually get tips for my services."

Neo nudged him in the arm. "You earned it. The trip was nice, and you did a great job keeping the cart steady."

"Well..." he sighed shyly, "I am one of the very few ponies in my line of work. It only proves that I should be the best." He put a hoof to his just with pride beaming off him. "Say, how many caps did you give me anyway?"

"Just fifty or so."

His face looked shocked. "F-f-f-fifty?" He stuttered.

Neo looked at him oddly. "Yeah, is that bad?"

He shook his head violently, "No, it's just I whenever I get a tip, i get ten caps, but fifty. Wow, I'm... I'm just shocked."

Neo smiled at him and patted him on the back. "Just don't waste it, okay?"

"Don't worry about that."

Neo nodded at him before he trotted off in the other direction. Adam waved to him as he left, and sad after he was completely gone, "He’s a pretty good guy."

"Yeah, I just hope nothing bad happens to him." Neo said before going to the front door of Lucy's home.

The door made a faint creak as they opened the door, Lucy was on her bed snoring softly on her bunk. Allie was on her bunk wide awake as she waited for the two to return. Allie had turned to the door as it opened, she put a hoof up to her mouth to make sure they didn't cause any extra noise.

They both nodded at her. Adam climbed up to his bunk, and tried to make as little noise as possible. Neo tip-hoofed over to Allie at her bunk, "She fell asleep so soon?"

She nodded at him, "mhm, I helped her finish fixing her communication unit. Then she just laid down on her bunk and started snoring."

Neo tried not to chuckled, "And she says I snore."

"You know, she still didn't say anything to me about her plan yet."

He sighed, "I'm just curious as to what it is. A little piece of me still thinks I should have said no, but I can't just walk away without hearing what it is."

"I'm just as curious as you are, and hopefully she'll tell us tomorrow."

"Yeah, tomorrow..."

Neo smiled at Allie, "well, I'm beat. I'll see you tomorrow, good night."

"Good night," Neo lightly stepped over to his own bunk and took off the dirty old duster he had used throughout the day. He lay down and thought about what the next day would hold, and if this plan of hers was really worth listening to.

Neo saw nothing, just blackness. Ever since he was a small colt the only dreams he had were dark, and empty. Occasionally he had a short, romantic dream, but besides that he never really did dream. Adam on the other hand had wonderful powerful dreams full of life, and energy. Adam enjoyed his dreams. Neo didn't. Neo just lay there trying to dream, but the more he thought about it the harder it became. Then he felt a small tingle on his body, pain followed shortly after.

"Rise and shine you Stable baby!" Lucy yelled as she watched Neo groan and turn on the ground.

"She's back to normal, isn't she..." He moaned tiredly on the ground.

Adam crawled down from his bunk and rubbed his eyes. "Lucy, did you push him off the bunk again?"

She had a big smile on her face, like she had just won some kind of lottery. "Yes I did, and now that you and him are up we can finally get packing!"

Adam’s older brother got up and rubbed his sore face with one hoof. "Packing? Are we going somewhere?" He was still a bit sleepy even though she had pushed him off the bed.

She nodded enthusiastically. "Indeed we are numb nuts! Now, get your stuff on, and check what gear you're taking. Cause’ we ain't going to stop for food or water on the flight."

Neo and Adam woke up at the sound of the word flight. "We're going to fly again?" Adam asked with a curious expression.

Lucy's good mood face didn't move. "We're going to Steelhoof Keep. Now get your stuff and shake down, I'm going to help Allie outside and get the cart ready."

Like a bullet she dashed out the door. "Wow..." Adam said in awe.

"You said it."

"Did she take an energy pill or something?" Adam said just staring at the door she went out of.

Neo, who was just as confused about it as Adam was. So he just tried to forget her energetic mood, and get his stuff together. "We better get packing Adam. Make sure you don't leave anything, or you probably won't see it again."

He put his filthy duster on again, and Adam got his stuff on except his goggles which were still on his head. It only took a few minutes to go through the few items they had. Adam got rid of some old food from the Stable, and Neo got rid of an apple that was sour and rotten. After digging a bit more he found a small tin opened with a smiling zebra on the front. "Party time Men-tals?"

He eyed the small tin for a moment. Lucy came in through the front door holding her head low like she had been suck clean of all the life in her body. "My fucking head..." She moaned as she stepped through the door.

Neo dropped the tin and stared at her. "What the hell happened you?"

Adam looked at the wasted pegasus. "Lucy are you okay?"

She plopped herself on her bed, "Go... desk... green potion... now... damnit..."

Adam went into her desk and dug through the drawers till he found a tiny bottle with glowing green fluid inside. He went to Lucy and put the bottle to her lips. She chugged it down within a second, it only took a moment for her color to flushed back to her. She looked significantly better, but she didn't look the way she was before she was wasted.

Neo put his saddle bags on and sat next to Adam. "Lucy, what just happened? First you were as jumpy and energetic as a new born foal on a sugar rush. Then you looked like you got wasted or something."

She sighed at him. "You brought Party Time Ment-als and you didn't tell me. That's what happened."

Adam gave her a puzzled look, "What does that have to do with anything?"

"For some time I was addicted to those things. They give you a rush like no other. You can see clearer, go farther, and do anything. It's... amazing. But after awhile your body begins to need the stuff to live. I managed to break the addiction, a friend of mine taught me how to make that potion you just gave me. It flushes the stuff right out of you in no time at all."

Neo looked down at the small tin on the ground. "So you took one from my bags?"

She gave him a sheepish look. "More like... seven or so..."

They both reeled back at the thought, "You took seven!?!" They both shouted in unison.

She rubbed the back of her neck and got up. "I came back in once I felt the rush slow down. Damn did it hit me like a bull." She looked back at Neo and Adam with a straight face. "Yeah, well I got to get back outside Allie will probably need my help soon. Oh, and I'm taking these with me." She went over to the tin and put it in her hoof.

"But Lucy, you just said that you were addicted to those things!" Adam said cautiously.

She smirked at him. "I don't think they can bother me once I throw them off the side of the building, now can they."

Adam's face went sour at her reply as he plopped himself back down on the bed with his front hooves folded.

"We're leaving in five minutes, so hurry up and get your stuff ready." Lucy said with a smirk before she trotted out the door with the tin in her hoof.

"Brother, I hope we find mom soon, because Lucy is kinda getting on my nerves."

Neo went up to him and put his arm around him. "I try to deal with it, and once you learn to cope with her insults and comments, it really isn't that bad."

Adam looked up at him and smiled. "Yeah, what about the time she called you peg-leg Neo, remember?"

Neo laughed, "I wish I could forget."

Adam got up and made his way to the door with his saddle bags ready. "We better get out there before she has a fit."

He nodded and followed him outside.

Allie was putting some stuff inside the cart. She put some gas masks, their weapons, and some other things they might need. Lucy was coming back from the side of the building. She flapped her wings a bit as she came to the front of the cart. "Allie, did you get the cart loaded?"

She nodded at her. "Good," her gaze turned to the two brothers. "Well, we're about ready to take off. You sure you got everything?"

They both nodded. "Good," she moved her fedora down onto her neck, and tied it tightly. Once she was done, she came over to the front and hooked herself up to the wagon. "Hey Allie, give me one of the gas masks in the wagon." She motioned her head toward the cart.

"What for?"

"You'll see sweetheart." Her eyes moved over to Adam and Neo. "You two hop in and get a mask on, and whatever you do keep your head down until I say so, got it?"

The two did what they were told and hopped into the cart, the entire thing was filled with an assortment of different kinds of gear. They both found a mask of their own and put them tightly on their heads. Allie came over and got her own, and Lucy's as well. Neo helped her get hers on, and Allie got Lucy's mask on.

Each mask was rubbery and smelled like old boots, but it didn't seem to bother any of them. "Alright listen up! I'm doing something real stupid, like Neo stupid." Neo frowned at her under his mask. "I'm going to take off from here. The Legion doesn't really like it when ponies, especially pegasus do these kinds of things. So, just keep your head down and try not to move. It makes my job a whole hell of a lot easier."

Adam raised his hoof in the air as Allie hopped into the cart. "Yes Adam?"

"What are the masks for?"

"The Legion doesn't like it when ponies do this, so it's best they don't know who you are. Since I’m a pegasus I stick out like sore thumb. But I know how to cover up my tracks when it comes to them looking for ponies who do this kind of thing."

He nodded at her. "Anypony else have anymore questions?" No one said anything in return. "No? good."

She spread her wings out and flapped them a few times before she started to run with the cart. Each step was followed by two flaps from her wings. Within a few feet she managed to get airborne along with the cart. It was odd already being so close to the clouds.

The wind picked up, and the cool moist air beat their coats as the cart flew through the air. Adam loved the feeling. He loved to feel the wind, and see the clouds so close. In his mind this is how pegasi felt as they flew freely in the air. It was a heavenly feeling, much like the first time. Only this time it was day time and the whole world could be seen below.

It didn't take them long to get out of the city, and once they had Lucy gave them the OK to take off their masks. Adam would look over the side with Neo and they would count the many buildings they would pass by or how many carts on the old road they could spot before they were out of site. It was times like these that made the two feel alive, and hopeful. Though the question as to what her plan was still bothered Neo a bit, even when his mind was focused on other things.

Every now and again they would pass by a house or building that would have several raiders inside, and despite the few shots fired at them, there wasn't much to worry about. But the meaty bloodstained cages, and dismembered ponies outside the structures could clearly be seen, even from the sky. It made Neo and Adam sick, especially since they had been in a building like those before. Though, it didn't seem to bother Allie as much, but they figured since she had lived in raider territory for so long she was used to it.

Neo snuggled next to Allie as the trip continued, and they talk about their friends they knew from when they were young. Allie mentioned how she met Kat, and how they found Newt in a old cart all alone as a foal. She told him that she had met Kat when she was abandoned by her parents when she was young, and how her family adopted her. Neo didn't have much to say. He just told her about him and the crazy things he and Flipper did as kids. But, now that he looked at it Flipper came up a lot... he had never really considered him a friend but yet the more he talked about him the more it felt like he really was a friend.

Adam just watched as the two talked, and the cart slowly made its way to the barren world below. The cart bounced a bit as it made a rough landing on the side of an old road. They each look around a bit before hopping out of the cart. Adam helped Lucy get her mask off, and put it away inside the cart.

Neo thought about it for a second before finally deciding now was good time to ask her about the plan. "Lucy?"

She looked at him with her average bland pissed off look. "What is it?"

"What is the plan exactly. If it's centered around us I'd really like to know what's going on."

She smirked at him. "Sorry, but my lips are sealed. I'll let your curiosity eat you till you find out."

He sarcastically laughed at her his response. "Hahaha... very funny. Then, if you're not going to tell me what the plan is, can you at least tell me how far our destination is?"

She pointed to the one of the many rolling hills in front of them. "It's just over that hill."

Neo nodded at her and went over to Adam and Allie who were standing near the cart. Adam was looking at an old red billboard that was cracked and scared by time along the side of the road. He could just barely make out what was on it. A pink pony with a big poofy pink mane was smiling brightly, and her big eyes looked almost soul piercing. In a way it creeped Adam out, but it also fascinated him as to who it was. Adam decided he would read the words on the sign out loud. "Pinkie Pie wants all of Equestria to be happy! Join the Ministry of Moral in a local Ironhoof recruitment center today! Because remember, Pinkie Pie is watching you... Foreeever."

Neo and Allie briefly looked at the sign as they passed it. "Who's Pinkie Pie?" Neo said with a curious tone.

"I saw a sign like this outside of Manetone, only it advertised for Stable-Tec." Allie added.

Adam smiled at the word Stable. It made him think of his mom, and the ponies he used to go to school with. "I miss home..." Adam sighed.

"I do to Adam." Neo said as he came up to him with a smile.

But before he could say anything Lucy was already at the top of the hill, and she shouted at them from the top. "Hey, come up here you slowpokes!"

They all galloped to catch up with her, but once they got to the top they were taken back by one of the most powerful things they had seen yet.

It was a massive castle like fortress, with tall stone walls that were edged with dark iron. From the high towers that covered the higher sections of the main building at the center, one could see the rest of the fortress climb up the mountain range that was behind it. On its towers and around its battlements was large blue flags with a white hoof positioned near the left of each flag.

"Welcome, to Steelhoof Keep. Home of the Steelhoof Coalition, and the Steelhoof Province Guardians."

"Wow..." Adam said with wide eyes.

It marveled everything they had seen before, and what was most notable about it was the fact it looked new. Time had not even touched the magnificent fortress.

Lucy continued down to the keep, without giving them a warning. Allie yelled at her to wait, she didn't. So they had to gallop once more to catch up to the impatient mare.

It took them a few minutes, but it wasn't long till they had reached the front of the fortress. Though, on the way they needed to dodged and maneuver their way around the field that was in front of the keep. Neo asked why they need to take such an odd rout, and all Lucy said was, "because if we don't we'll die."

That was more then enough information for him.

They stood five feet away from the massive steel gate that was covered in scars and blast marks. The walls were much higher up close, and much more menacing.

Lucy raised her head up and called up to the wall. A pony with light steel plated armor poked his head over the edge with a rifle at his side. "Who is it?"

"I'm Province Guardian Luck. I'm here to speak with Wilco."

She looked confused. "Wil who?"

Lucy faced-hoofed, "Commander Ironside."

"I see, one moment." He went back and disappeared from their sight only to come back a few seconds later. "Let me see your sun badge."

Lucy looked at Neo, "Neo, get my hat off my neck and toss it up to him." She yapped at him.

Neo came over to her and untied her hat and tossed it up to the pony on the wall. She caught it with her hooves and briefly looked it over. She tossed it back down to Lucy and nodded at her. "I'll open the gate, but you'll have to confirm the others what you have with the commander."

She once again disappeared behind the wall, and, like she said, the gate slide open. It only opened enough for them to pass through, and Lucy had to make sure she didn't get the cart stuck in between the the two halves of the gate.

As they each came through the gate each pony entered what looked like a courtyard of some sort. It was large, and filled with steel plated soldiers. At its center was one of the many flags waving on a flag pole. Lucy pulled the cart to the side and unhooked herself, Neo and Adam had to help her a bit, but they got it off in the end.

Neo glared at her angrily."Lucy. I know you want this to be a surprise, but I, and everyone else here wants to know what your plan is."

She looked at him with the same smirk she always used. "Listen, Neo." She wrapped a hoof around his shoulder. "I'll tell you... later."

Neo continued to give her his angry look. "Later?"

"Mhm, later. Deal with it."

And just like that she let him go and trotted off towards the fortress. Adam went up to him and looked up to him as if he was waiting for him to say something. "Adam, she's really starting to make me angry."

He waited for Allie to join them before he answered. "I know, but she is who she is, and she isn't going to change. Even if she gets on our nerves."

"I don't know..." Allie added. "There are a few times she seemed actually not seem so pissed all the time."

Neo smiled at her, "well I guess it could be worse."

Adam patted him on the back. "That's the spirit! Now, lets go see what this plan of hers is." Adam was the first to take off after Lucy, while Allie and Neo followed him into the stone fortress.

The four walked through the long stone hallways. Every now and again they would pass a soldier who would look at them oddly before continuing on with whatever he or she was doing. They stopped at a room with an opened door with several mares and stallions all gathered at the center of the room. Each one wore either a large suit of steel armor, or a long brown duster. Lucy stopped and listen for a moment on the conversation inside. Neo, Allie, and Adam followed and listened in on the conversation.

One of the mares at the end of the room was shouting in an angry tone. "I don't know how you're going to pass Ironsteads defences but we can't keep wasting men like this! And we're not even sure if the Legion has project Iron Hammer there!"

A blue earth pony stallion with a finely made and decorated duster spoke up. "I understand that, but it's the only place we know of that might be holding it. Plus we've cut them off, and they have no way of actually breaking through the perimeter without half of their forces dying in the process."

The mare glared at him, "Listen Carter, we don't need to be there! We need to be focusing all of our efforts in the southeast, near Arkcannon."

An old buck stood up to speak, "I have to agree with Harpsichord on this one. We're wasting valuable lives on something we're not sure about."

"But if we leave and it is there then we'll have fucked ourselves! It'll be too late to say oops when the Legion roll that thing out here."

A unicorn mare put her hoof in the air and took over. "I think that you both have a good point in the matter. But, until we find out if the Legion is holding Iron Hammer at Ironstead then we can't be sure of anything."

"So what do you suppose we do? Wait till they do something?" The stallion instead.

"Yes. That's exactly what I plan to do."

Several of the ponies in the room looked at her with awed faces as a faint murmur fell over the group. "But we can't just wait and do nothing! The Legion is looking for the project-"

The blue stallion was cut off by Lucy. Several of them looked at her standing in the doorway. "I'm sorry, was I interrupting something?" She cooed softly.

The blue pony looked at her before bowing slightly to the mare at the end of the room. "I'm sorry fillies and gentlecolts, I have some business to take care of."

The mare at the end nodded at him. "You are dismissed commander." She said waving her hoof at him.

The blue stallion went out of the room and into the hallway outside. He had a cleanly made duster, that was decorated with several small badges. His mane was a deep midnight black, which was neatly made on top his battle hardened face.

He spun around and looked at her. "What is it Lucy? I was in the middle of an important meeting."

She gave him a cute cocky smile. "I missed you too cupcake."

He cleared his throat hoarsely. "What is it you want." He said in slightly shy tone.

"Look who I brought with me." She stepped to the side and held her hoof out to the other three. He gave them a stern look before stepping up to them. He circled them, eyeing them carefully as he inspected the three. "Well, they're not weak or flabby."

He stopped his inspection and turned back to Lucy. "You sure you want them to be Guardians? I mea-"

"You want us to be what!?" They all said in unison.

Lucy cocked her head to the side with her playfully cocky smile. "Surprise."

He looked at them for a moment. "As I was saying. I really think they could work as Guardians, however they need to have done something worth recognition. So, the question stands; have they done anything to prove they have what it takes? Or can I just brush it off and get back to the meeting."

Lucy brushed against him. "You're so tense, this isn't the way I left you. What's buggin you hun?"

He blushed a bit, "L-Lucy, lets not get into that now. I just want you to answer the question."

She trotted playfully over to Adam and Neo and got in between them. She wrapped her hooves around them both and reeled them close to her. "Look at them. You can't tell me that you wouldn't let these two not become Guardians. After they did kill Asmodeus."

Carter pulled his head back with wide shocked eyes. "That's bullshit! I fought the thing myself, and you can't tell me that these two really kill that damn thing... did they?"

She nodded at him with her cocky look. "They sure did. They even got to meet the Vlad."

He gave her a suspicious look. "And what do you have to prove they did anything at all, hmm?"

Lucy spun Neo around and pointed to his once injured leg. "There you go, proof." Neo didn't like how she was showing him off to this strange pony, but he held firm and just went with it.

Carter narrowed his eyes and examined the bloody bandage. "Well it did look like something caught you... four inches... curved... those sound like his claws." He pulled back and turned to the meeting room he was once in. Before he went inside he stopped and looked at her again. "I'll look deeper into this, and tell you if they really did what you say they did. Until then, I'll send word throughout the keep that you’re guests."

"Sounds good to me. Oh, and after you find the time we need to... catch up." She winked at him.

He went stiff for a moment before nodding at her. "I-I'll talk to you tomorrow, just take your crew and spend the night in the Guardians quarters till tomorrow."

Lucy turned around and made her way down the hall. "Okay darling, have fun."

The other three followed Lucy and were completely and utterly confused as to what just happened.

Neo trotted up to Lucy's side as they continued down the long stone corridor. "Lucy, what the hell was that !? Is that really your plan, or are you just screwing with us again?"

She didn't bother looking at him as she went on. "Yep that's my plan. Don't like it? Well too bad, cause that's it."

Adam went next to her with the same confused and totally surprised look. "But how is that going to get us anywhere! I thought this was supposed to help us, not sign us up for an army!"

Lucy was overloading with irritation, a few more seconds and she might just burst into an all out fiery rage. She slowed down her pace to a nice smooth walk before she answered him. "Listen kid. It was the only thing I could think of besides blindly wandering the province for your mom. And have I told you that this province is very big? Because it is."

"That still doesn't explain why you would even considered that option."

Lucy sighed. "Hey, you're lucky. He doesn't usually agree with my ideas, and convincing him to even consider this was a miracle on it's own. So I wouldn't be complaining if were you..." She stopped at a large metal door at the end of the hallway, "Listen, I really think this is the best option. Tomorrow Carter will talk about it, just please don't screw it up."

Adam was getting the idea Lucy was going someplace... alone. "Lucy. Are you going somewhere?"

The door opened with a loud clank. "I'm going to... catch up a bit." Then, she just walked through the door leaving the three alone in the hallway.

All three of them just stood there as the door rattled and slid closed. "And she just leaves us here..." Neo sighed blandly.

"So... what now?" Adam added.

Allie just shrugged before the door in front of them opened again, only this time a armored pony soldier was looking at them from the other side of the door. Her armor covered her cutie mark, and most of her velvet mane. She just ignored them for the most part, and continued with what she was doing. The three looked at her as she trotted past them with saying anything. "Um, excuse me?" Adam asked.

The soldier just looked at him oddly, as if there was some where she needed to be. "Yeah? Could you make it quick. They're almost done serving food down stairs."

"Um, I was just wondering where the guest quarters are."

She bit her lip. "Hey listen, they're going to stop serving food soon, and I haven't had anything to eat in almost two days."

Neo and Allie felt hunger, and a slight pain come from their stomachs, and when she mention food. Well, then food was the only thing they needed. "If you're going to get food, mind if we come? We haven't eaten in awhile either." Neo insisted, his mouth watering at the thought food in general.

She looked at the three and shrugged. "Yeah, sure, whatever just come on they stop serving in ten minutes."

Together the four made their way down several smaller stone passageways, and other rooms that were covered with technology. As they passed by they noticed more and more soldiers on their way to the mess-hall.

The mess-hall was huge, a high ceiling covered with lights was above them, and several tables were scattered throughout the room. At the end was a grill, and to the far left wall was a bored looking pony behind a glass window. The smell of cooking meat filled the room, and the aroma was almost torturing to smell.

Neo gulped down the tons of saliva as he and the others approached the grill pony.

He was a large unicorn pony. More so in weight then mussel, and he wore a blood, and charcoal stained apron. His dirty yellow coat and orange mane only made him look more suited for his job. A burning coal was his cutie mark, and only one can assume how, and why he got it.

With a butcher knife he slid meat onto the hellfire like grill that gave off a blast of heat as he put both meat and coals on it. In the counter in front of him was several dirty plates with what looked like strips of meat. The soldier approached the counter to grab one of the many trays with the delicious juicy pieces of meat.

"Do we just grab one?" Adam asked looking at the soldier.

She nodded at him before leaving to find a table of her own.

Allie, Neo, and Adam each grabbed a tray and took it to the nearest table they could see. They each sat down and looked at the steaming succulent pieces of food. Adam was still not used to eating meat, and the filthy plate it rested on wasn't helping him with the problem. Allie slowly munched on the meat contently. "It's almost like the way Kat makes it... only the plates are somewhat clean..."

Neo cringed a bit at the thought of eating the food on the filthy plate, but his stomach begged him to eat. And the smell wasn't helping either. He took a few bites of the meat, at first it wasn't that bad. A little burnt maybe, and a little dirt covered but overall not bad.

Another soldier came by the counter and winked at the grill pony. "Whoa, Mac you gotta slow down. Meal times almost up and you're still workin like it's rush hour."

Mac looked up at her and wiped sweat from his charcoal covered brow. "Yeh' ah know. But yeh never know when more hungry mouths come, wantin sometin't eat."

She shrugged at him. "Fine by me. Just don't work too hard, ya hear?"

He nodded at her. "Will do, thahnks'f the concern." Mac moved back to his grill and continued his work.

She didn't take any food instead she looked at the three at the table and moved over to them with a friendly smile on her face. "Hey, I haven't seen you guys before. You new or something?" She sat down at the table next to Allie.

It was a little shocking seeing somepony come up to them and act so friendly so fast. Even in the Stable ponies never acted this nice to them. "Um, yeah. We got here earlier today." Adam replied.

"Neat. I'm Golden Cog, I'm chief engineer at the wagon depot."

"I'm Neo. This is Adam my little brother, and over there is Allie." Allie waved slightly to her.

The mare took off her tan, steel plated helmet and rested it on the table. Her mane was snow white, and her coat a deep dark orange. Her eyes, for the most part, look just like Adams.

"So. Where you folks from?"

They all looked at her oddly, like they didn't want to give too much away so soon. "Don't worry, I'm not a bad pony that's out to getcha. My jobs to help build stuff to stop ponies like that." She said with a reassuring look.

"Me and Adam are from Stable one hundred and forty two. Allie here is from Maneton."

She looked at them with big eyes that seemed impressed. "Wooow, your from a Stable? Like, an actual Stable, Stable?"

Adam nodded with a faint smile. "Yep."

"That's sooo cool! I've never seen ponies from a Stable before. What's it like to live underground?"

They were both kind of embarrassed at the whole thing. "Well, it's not much I can tell you that much. Just boring grey walls, and a whole lot of nothing to do." Neo said while rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

She nodded at him. "That stinks, I thought it was all sunshine and daisies or somethin."

"Nope, just a whole lot of nothing."

Adam chuckled a bit. It was sad saying their home, the place they've been born and raised in the whole lives was nothing. But, then again it was true.

"So, anyway. Who'd you come up here with. Not too many ponies know this place is here, and I'm pretty sure you didn't just find it by accident."

"We came up here with Lucy. She has this wild idea that if we become Province Guardians that we'll find our mom."

She motioned him to slow down. "Whoa, whoa whoa. Hold the phone here. You're telling me that you got the chance to become guardians?"

Allie nodded at her. "Tomorrow this guy's going to tell us more about it, and what's going to happen."

"Ah, well good luck on that. Very few, and I mean very few get an honor like that."

"My Brother and I just want to find out why she wants us to do this. I mean, I'm sure it's an honor, but I don't know if were cut out to do anything like that."

She leaned over the table and nudged him in the arm with her hoof. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll both do fine. Lucy has an eye for worthy guardians. Though her old crew would say otherwise."

Neo rolled his eyes. "I can only imagine why..."

"How long have you stayed with her?"

"About a few days."

She reeled her head back and hissed. "Dang, Celestia's lookin out for you from above to give you the tolerance to put up with her."

The other three laughed a bit at her statement. "I know, but you get used to it after awhile... kinda." Neo added.

"Yeah, she is queen of the angry pants. Though she's got a good reason to be that way."

Neo, Adam, and Allie all perked up and moved slightly closer to her curiously. "What?" Adam asked softly.

"She has a good reason to be pissed, and honestly if I did the things she's done then I would be the same way too."

Neo motioned his hoof for her to go one. "Please, it'll help if we know why she acts like a complete jerk."

The earth pony mare shrugged and rubbed her neck with an unsure look. "I don't know... you sure you want to know?"

They nodded at her.

"Well," she sighed. "Here we go."

She sat up straight before she started. "Lucy was born and raised in a little town that used to be near the northern border. She lived there with her... You know what? Why am I telling you. I have access to the guardians recordings. She's got the whole story on tape... though I gotta warn ya, it's real gut wrenching."

They all thought about it. The food didn't even matter anymore. In fact, this could explain everything, and knowing her reasons for doing the stuff she does would help to understand her better. "Okay, I'm willing to hear."

"I guess if brothers willing so am I."

"It'll look bad if I say no, but I'm just as curious as they are." Allie agreed.

The mare stood up and put her helmet back on. "Alright, follow me. But don't say I didn't warn ya."

They were all sitting in an empty grey room with only a few lights for illumination. Golden Harp had already looked, and found the recording on the terminal in front of her. All four of them were crowded around the small screen and waited to listen. "You ready?"

They nodded sternly at her. "Alright. Here we go..." She pressed the play button on the terminal which started the recording.

The first voice was a stallion. "Guardian log, 298. I'm Archive scholar Folded Write, and I'm recording Province Guardian Luck."

"Can we just get this over with."

"The faster you answer these question, the sooner you can go."

"Pfft, I didn't see why I need to do this."

"Because the Steelhoof Coalition doesn't like mentally unstable guardians. So, for future reference we can refer to this in case we need to-"

"Fine, ask away then."

"Fine. What's your name. Your real name."

"Lucky."

"Good. Next, how long has your training been to get here?"

"Six months."

"Good. Now the last question. Why did you become a guardian?"

There was a pause from her.

"I was born and raised in the town of Canterson, near the northern border. I was born from two healthy pegasus ponies. I had two brothers, Chills, and Wing Mark... For most of my life I wanted to help ponies, and the freelancers that came into our town told us about their adventures and lives out in the wasteland. Then me and my brothers would play like we were ponies saving others from raiders or slavers..."

She started to sob, and her voice became low and dark. "Then... I was sleeping in our bed one night. My brothers next to me, and our mom and dad just talked. I was dreaming about what the world would be like if war didn't exist. If the threat of slavers, raiders, or the Legion never existed. It was... peaceful. Then I heard shouting. The windows were glowing, and we woke up to the sounds of screaming from the outside. Gunshots followed... so many gunshots. I heard ponies yelling, 'Search the town! Kill every last one! Leave no survivors!' I was scared, and dad went to get his gun from the wall. Then we heard a loud explosion that broke the glass from the windows. Three guards came in with rifles ready. I couldn't see their faces behind the masks it was... like they weren't even ponies. Just... it happen so fast..." Her breathing was heavier, and her sobs stronger.

"The first one used his shotgun and killed mom. There... there was a huge gashing wound in her side... I... I saw her blood. It was everywhere, I've never seen so much before. Then dad fought with one of them and then he got knocked over, and one of the soldiers took a piece of the glass and... he was gone too...

Me and my brothers sat in the corner, shaking. Mom's blood was slowly coming towards us. One of the guards came to me and pulled me away. I screamed, but nothing came out. I struggled, but I didn't move. I was helpless. He took one of his side arms and put it in my mouth. He said, 'we're going to have a little fun with this one. Let's see if we can make her snapp shall we?' The others nodded at him. He put his head next to mine, his voice was muffled by the mask, but the whisper was as clear as the terrifying noises from outside. 'kill them' he said to me, 'kill them or my friends here have a little more fun with you and your brothers' They looked at me from the corner. Hugging each other. Shaking. Their eyes wide with terror. All I could do was watch them, 'kill them!' he barked at me. It spooked me... I didn't want to do it. I had closed my eyes, and for a moment all was silent. When I looked again... They lay there... looking at me with the same eyes... only, there was no life in them. I heard another gunshot, and all went black for me... I woke up later in a camp outside the ruins of the town. Some trader took me in. He fixed me up."

There was a long pause between the two. Her sobs turned into a full blown out cry. "That is why I joined. As long as I live, not one more being in this province or in any other will suffer anything similar to that. I promised my family, when I went back to the ruins..."

Golden Harp ended the recording.

Foot Note: Level up

New Perk: Fixed concentration: Your concentration has increased by 3. This makes use of the levitation saddle easier to operate.

Would you like to level up Adam as well?

Yes-

No

Foot Note: Level up

New Perk: Cat's luck: Sneak, and lock picking increase by +2 with every level.

Proofread by:

Noakwolf

Dracoliat

LyronAzakura

(Tell me what you thought about this chapter in the comments! It helps, it really does! - Noakwolf)