Fallout Equestria: Brotherhood

CHAPTER 18: THE ROAD TO FREEDOM PART 2

The gates to the town opened with a loud rusted screeching sound as the guard pony along the top of the gate looked down at the small supply team with joy. "You guys did it! You made it back alright!"

The whole group looked up at him with a look of pride that let him know that they had done a good job. "That's right Proverb, we did more than that, and I'll tell you about it later!" Cherry yelled merrily to the gate pony.

Proverb nodded to them and pulled a lever that closed the gate. "I look forward to it Cherry Blossom!"

The group went along through the main dirt road that went through the center of town where ponies from every direction came out to watch them pull the huge cart of food through the street. Young fillies and colts came out to watch the wagon with the one thing the town needed the most. It warmed their hearts to see them smile, and awe at the wonderful gift they had brought back to the town. Neo's heart above all others was warmed the one most, this was the way ponies were supposed to look. Happy, and nothing could be said that would break that feeling he had at that moment.

Neo playfully nudged Cherry. "So you name is Cherry Blossom now?"

Cosmo chuckled at Neo. "Of course that’s her name, what did you think it was? Cause it sure ain't just Cherry."

Cherry gave Cosmo a smirk and a motherly stare. "Behave yourself Cosmo, I was going to tell him sooner or later."

"Pfft," Cosmo huffed, "As if."

She just chuckled at him and turned to Neo. "Yes it is, but everyone around town just calls me Cherry."

Neo shrugged childishly. "Alright Cherry just don't keep too much from me."

"Sorry not promise anything." She replied.

Up ahead of the road where the town hall proudly stood were several ponies, some of which were unicorns, all gathered around three large drill like machines. Older stallions and mares put young ones on their heads or backs so they could get a better look at the magnificent machines.

Cosmo, the twins, and Cherry stopped and looked over to Neo. "Well, I have to go find my mother and tell her about all that happened, I've also got to go and help Cosmo and the rest of the gang put this stuff in our food storage."

Neo blinked at her and smiled. "Will we see each other later? So we can, you know... Plan out some more stuff for the town," He added shyly.

She winked at him. "Maybe, lets see how things go. Till then, Neo."

With that, she and the rest of the group turned away from Neo and made their way to another part of the town. Neo stood there for a moment and watched them go off on their own way. Once they were out of sight he sighed and went over to the diggers to find his brother.

There were ponies that surrounded the teams who were attempting to get the diggers underground. Neo could see that the unicorns that surrounded the machines held them in place with their magic as they fit them into a large repair door on the side of the town hall. It looked as if it lead down below the town, and as such meant they could start production on their escape.

Iron Vein was helping the small team of unicorns by guiding the diggers safely into the doors which lead to the underground waterways that ran through the city. Neo only watched them for a moment before continuing the search for his younger brother. Adam came out from the crowd and looked at the whole group of ponies that curiously watched the unicorns and other ponies he had helped repair the diggers with the machines underground.

Just as he was about to turn around, he saw his brother in the corner of his eye. He could hear his brother call out his name in the small crowd looking for him, unaware of his current position. This gave him a fun little idea, one that he didn't want to think twice about. With the greatest of care he tip hoofed over to his unsuspecting brother, and just as he came close to him he shout at him while lunging straight at his body.

"Brother!" He exclaimed tackling him playfully.

"What the!?"

They both fell down to the ground with Adam laughing as he got up off him. "Where did you come from?" Neo asked in a surprised confused tone.

Adam didn't answer the question, but instead just grinned at him and helped him up. "I got you good, you need to be more aware for tackling ponies. Especially me!"

Neo rolled his eyes at him. "I am aware... It's just, you sneak around like a little ninja, that’s all..."

Adam chuckled at him once more. "Right, but you still need to watch your back or I might just sneak up on you again."

Neo gave him a questioning devilish look. "You wanna bet on that?"

Adam glared back at him. "I don't know, do you?"

"Well..." Neo said acting suspicious.

Neo then grabbed his brother and put his metal foreleg around his neck and took the other hoof and ruffled his mane furiously. "Didn't see that one, huh!"

Adam chuckled and laughed as his brother ruffled his mane in a playful manner. "Stop it brother, I give up! You win, I give up!" He cried in a burst of laughter.

"What the hell is goin’ on here?" Sheriff Westwood stated stepping up to them.

They both paused for a moment and looked at him sheepishly. Neo let go of Adam as they both gave him shy innocent smiles. They both stood at a more orderly posture as Adam tried to fix his mane with his hoof.

The sheriff glared frustratingly at them. "We don't need ya to be messin’ around! We got t'have a defence plan for the whole town if we're standin’ a chance in case of an attack!"

Neo and Adam both looked at each other with confusion in their eyes. "But we just got back, aren't we supposed to plan this out tomorrow?" Neo stated.

"Well, Ah’m sorry, but the Mayor wanted me to getcha when you got back from yer trip. An we ain't gettin troops together, not yet. We're gettin a general idea of how much firepower we've got, an how good a chance we've got defendin’ this here town."

Neo and Adam sighed. "And let me guess, you want us to go with you now regardless of the fact I might have just come back from a deadly supply mission. Right?"

The Sheriff looked at him with amazement. "Well, yeah, and we ain’t got much time left today to just sit around."

Neo patted himself down and gave a out a light sigh. "Alright, but before we go on I've got a few things to tell you that might just help us in defending the town."

The mayor of Arkcannon paced herself back and forth in a smaller room with several ponies watching her think whilst sitting around an old wooden table. The table in question had a large map of the town on it that displayed every building, street, and porch. Old bookshelves with old books hardly readable lay peacefully along with several old non colored pictures of law ponies that had helped run the town through the years. This was the sheriffs office, or that is what a sign over the entrance stated. And the whole room looked as if it were made for early law enforcement of the old days. The jail cell was behind the office where the sheriff and the other local law enforcement were supposed to work. However, the Legion didn't have guards posted at the town, and in some ways was more effective than actually having an armed force in the town itself. It was like the whole town was being watched. Watched, and inspected by a being that stood omnipotently over them all.

Red Glare, who was one of the first to arrive at the smaller private meeting since they were done fixing the diggers, looked at her with worry. "You know we have the supplies right? We're going to start digging our way out of here soon. Why are you so paranoid?"

There was an empty chair at the end of the table where she took a seat at. With a relieving sigh and a slight massage to her head she answered him glumly. "I'm not sure... I fear for the worst, what if we're not doing the right thing? What if we just end up killing ourselves?"

"It won't come to that." Red Glare answered reassuringly, "If we can plan out our defense now, get it set up and drilled tomorrow, we won't have to worry as much. And if all goes to plan we won’t have to worry much longer about such things."

She leaned back in her chair and nodded at him with baggy eyes. "I see what you mean Red Glare... It's just... This past weeks, the Legion has been over this town... It's bothered me. Children used to play in the streets as traders brought trade and stories from across the land. I used to worry more about Cherry's trouble with stallions more than anything during those times... And at one time, I looked at our town and thought we did good... But now, so many lives I've known all my life are gone. Just... Gone... Like a good memory you just can't seem to remember. Doing this puts everything at risk... And to see our townsfolk die because of some stupid act of rebellion... I dare not think further of it."

He smiled at her. "Listen to me Ms. Mayor. We are a determined bunch, and if it's one thing I know we can do, it's pull our way through these trying times."

She took a deep breath in. "Thank you."

Before he could respond the door to the building opened with a wooden creak. Neo, Adam, and the Sheriff Westwood came through the door and took a seat at the table in front of them. "Guardians. Sheriff. I'm glad you could make it, we were just about to begin."

One of the other mares at the table motioned her hoof to three empty old wooden chairs that surrounded the table. "Now that we're all here I would like to begin the defence meeting. Now, I know this might seem a little sudden to some of you, but the sooner we plan this out, the better we are off in the long run." The mayor announced.

She calmly looked over to the mare who had shown the three their seats. "First, let me say that Infinite here, who works at the food storage, has told me about the little raider move Neo pulled off just a bit ago."

Neo was a little shocked at the fact she had found out so quickly, then again, this was a small town and word could spread fast. "Yes, and I can say with the dearest of pride, that not only did we gain a lot of extra food, we also gained access to a variety of weapons." Neo added.

"Oh?" The mayor cooed intriguingly.

The Sheriff took the opportunity to answer her. "Eeyup, and they were tellin’ me bout it on the way here ma'am. In fact, tomorrow mornin’ ah'm gonna take a party down to the place Neo here told me where the weapons are."

"Do you have the location on your Pipbuck Neo?" The mayor asked.

"I do, and I'll give them the location later today."

"Good, how many weapons are there?"

"I can't say for sure. I do know that if they got rid of as many as I think they did, that should be quite a few at weapons at least." Neo added.

"I see, at least with even a little extra firepower we gain something out of it. Good work, I'll thank the other members of your team later." The Mayor said calmly.

She looked towards Adam and the sheriff. "As I was saying before, we have the diggers working, thanks to Adam, Iron Vain, Red Glare, and the rest of the repair team. With the diggers operational and the food, we have come very far in just one day. Though the true path to freedom will be paved by hardships though not evident at this time."

Adam blushed slightly at the mention of his work being praised. "Next, and lastly for this day, we need to prepare to train ponies for defending the town. However, right now, we need to plan positions for the defence of the town. That is what we will discuss today."

"So then," The mayor looked at everypony at the table, "What would be the best course of action?"

Red Glare raised his hoof and spoke. "These walls aren't of the strongest kind in the world, and positioning ponies on the wall if the Legion attacks would be suicide. Especially if they rolled out those iron wagons they have. They'll punch and tear right through them, and even if they don't, anyone posted up there won't be around to much longer."

"So you can you safely say that the iron wagons are our biggest concern?"

Red Glare leaned back in his chair and yawned. "Well that depends, we're not even a hundred percent sure what all they're packing over there. For all we know, they have tamed some kind of dragon or something. Not saying there is but we don't know what all we’re going up against."

Infinity leaned over the map and said, "We do know that there are normal basic Legion infantry and those iron wagons. We also know that their numbers are somewhere between five hundred or so. We gathered that much from the weeks they've oppressed us. Though they could have received reinforcements by now, which would mean their numbers could be significantly higher."

The mayor sighed once more and rubbed the sides of her head with her hooves in frustration. "We'll just have to plan out a defence, get ponies to places, and prepare for the worst."

Neo looked at the map on the table which show a detailed overhead view of the town and its buildings. He pointed over to two large two story buildings on the map. "How well structured are these buildings?"

The Mayor blinked at him. "Well, good, I suppose... They could take a few hits from something large and stand up if it comes to that."

"If those raiders got rid of the weapons I think they did, then they should have thrown out three large machine like guns. High powered by the looks of them, and in decent shape too. And if we place them up on these buildings we can funnel them through the center of town and take them with those."

There was a slight murmur of agreement in the group. Adam looked over to Infinity as he too had an idea. "What about explosives, will those do anything?"

Red glare looked over to him and answered for him. "Well, yes and no. The wagons won't get damaged too much from mines or grenades. However, any infantry that do come through will be affected greatly by them."

Adam looked over the map for a moment. "I see, so... If we hide a bunch of explosives near the gate and along the outside of the wall, then we can take out, or at least slow some of them down, and we could counter them."

"In the armory we've got a fair amount of explosives, though they aren't too special or in the best of shape. But we can make due if need be." Infinity added.

The mare nodded at the group with a hopeful look. "So, tonight we'll see the armed force we can gather, and look about setting up explosives at these specific places. And with those gunners on those buildings, we can also put grenadiers up there to help wear those wagons down."

The sheriff nodded as he imagined their defence on the town map. "Yep, an’ if we need to fall back, we can head on back to the town hall. If we fortificate it all nice like, we can get down to the tunnels and leave. That buildin’ is a strong one, and nothin’ I know, not even them iron wagons’ can take down that buildin’."

"Good idea sheriff." The mayor added. "Well, now that we have those covered we need to talk about protection and the evacuation of the non-fighting townsfolk."

"I'll look into that." Infinity added.

"Good, and what about armor for our fighting force?" The Mayor asked.

The sheriff spoke out and answered her question. "I'll check mahself while I recruit ponies tonight."

The mare nodded as the very sound of fresh ideas pleased her. She paused for a moment and ignored the rest of the meeting only to look towards Adam and Neo with an insightful look in her eyes. "What do you think about this, guardians?"

Neo and Adam looked at her for a moment in a rather puzzled way. "I think that if we can organize this right, we can hold them off for quite a bit.... But I don't want it to come to that. Just today, I saw ponies look at me and what we were doing with hopeful smiles. Now, I haven't been here long, but I hope with all the strength in me that it doesn't come down to fighting the Legion. I just can't handle it when families are torn apart because... I just can’t stand it.." Neo added in a worried, yet hopeful tone.

Adam put a hoof on his brother. "I know." He said softly.

"I agree with you Guardian Neo, but when a fight comes, a fight comes, and we need to be ready for it." The Mayor stated.

"Let's just hope those drills don't brake on us, because within a few days, we'll be free of these Iron Legion bastards once and for all." Red glare added.

The mayor looked to the whole group with a fierce determined stare. "But all we can do at this point is hope. Hope for the best, hope for the days to pass quickly as we pave the road to freedom."

The Legion flag flapped calmly in the gentle breeze of the afternoon day. The main Legion camp was calm, with ponies maintaining their armor and weapons while snipers talked and patrolled the outer perimeter of the camp.

A pony in the standard Iron Legion armored barding approached a large army tent, which was three times the size of a normal tent. He moved the flap that lead into the tent and stepped inside. "Captain, I need to speak to you, urgently."

The pony inside was a fit stallion with dim gold lined green plated armor and a officers cap which laid next to him. He was shaving himself with a bowl of water and a razor all set up on a small stand in front of him. He didn't act surprised and continued to look at himself shave in a mirror that was right in front of him.

"Yes?" He said not breaking his concentration.

"Lieutenant Covert has requested you meet with him on the lookout post on the end of camp, sir."

The Captain didn't answer but instead continued with his shave until he was finished. Once he was done, he washed his face off with a rag and placed the officers hat upon his head. He turned around to him in a swift decisive motion and motioned a hoof to him. "Is that all private?" He asked sternly.

"Yes sir."

He waved a hoof dismissing him. "Fine then, you are free to go."

With that the soldier gave him a sharp salute and trotted off to another part of camp. The Captain, however, left his tent and made his way to the edge of camp where the Lieutenant wanted to speak with him.

There was a small covered wooden lookout stand posted on the side of a hill right next to the edge of camp. The Lieutenant stood there stiffly looking out into the wastes with a pair of binoculars to his eyes. The Lieutenant himself was a fit unicorn stallion, with a brown mane and coat, and a set of bronze lined armored barding.

The Captain trotted up to him and joined him in looking out into the wasteland. "You needed me, Lieutenant?"

"Yes Captain. I have news for you."

"Why couldn't you tell me yourself?"

"This is more... important, and something I wish to discuss with you, privately."

The Captain gave him an odd stare. "And what might this important news be, hmm?"

"It's the townsfolk." The Lieutenant stated duly.

"What about them?"

"The spy we placed inside the town has confirmed our original suspicion of rebellion. Not only this, but their idea for freedom is rather odd, one I would have not even thought possible."

"Oh? And what have they gathered?"

"They are tunneling their way out with those giant drills they had in their mines."

The Captain raised an eyebrow in confusion. "They aren't really attempting that, are they? Do they know what they are doing could kill them faster than our perimeter force? Do we know which way they are even tunneling?"

"No, unfortunately."

The Captain stood there and pondered the whole thing in his mind for a moment. "Damn it! We give them too much freedom, if only the emperor gave us the order to fully occupy the town then maybe this wouldn't happen!"

"Agreed, however I did speak to the Emperor last night."

"And?"

"I spoke of what we know, and his orders are to stay and watch the town. He said he'll give us the order to take action on the matter in two days."

"Two days? We need to snuff this out now!"

"I know Captain, but his majesty was quite clear with his orders."

"His orders are getting more and more odd with each passing day. These headaches of his are just getting worse, and his mental stability isn't getting any better either."

The Lieutenant sighed. "I know, and he wasn't happy either when I told him there were guardians in the town."

This really shocked the Captain, and he felt a rage boil in the lower pits of his heart. "And when was this discovered?"

"Last night, sir.”

The Captain gave him a warning like glare. "Fine, and do we have any idea as to who these guardians are?"

"No."

“Damn. At least we can rest easy, those implants we put into our spy during the first week was a brilliant move on my part. The spy doesn’t even know we are watching them. So, hopefully in due time, we’ll find out who these guardians are, and just how they got past our perimeter.”

“Indeed sir, it was a good move on your part. But I have another subject to talk to you about.”

“And that might be?”

“The Predators, sir.”

“What about them?

“With the limited supplies, we have been able to repair one of them. However, because of the lack of supplies, we needed to send the others off to the Dark Mines.”

"Good," The Lieutenant cooed.

“Indeed, I do enjoy the good news.”

The Captain gave him a unsettling chuckle. "Some good news.”

"Indeed, Captain.”

"By the way, where is our little errand boy now, hmm?" The Captain sadistically said with a rather uneasy smile.

"He's staying here in the camp with us till tomorrow, Skyward something or other is his name."

The mention of his name bothered the Captain. "Oh, I remember him now... A pegasus, right? Filthy creature, he doesn't deserve to live with the pure in this camp!"

"That may be so, but he is about to leave and his job is not properly completed yet."

"What has the emperor said about him? Is he relaxed with this?"

"No, in fact, that pegasus was the only one who would take up the mission he proposed to so many other mercenaries. But if I remember correctly he said something about killing him if he made any trouble in the slightest of ways."

“I see, excellent...”

“By the way Captain, what are our orders? Are we just to lay here and watch the town all day? Or, is there something you have planned for us, sir?”

The Captain looked out into the distance with agitation. "Well...” He sighed thinking for a moment, “As for what we plan to do next, scouts have mentioned that the raider town not too far from here has supplies. Valuable supplies, and if we get to them... Well, let’s just say our lives will be a whole hell of alot easier."

The pony next to him curiously glanced at him. "Oh? So we plan to investigate then?"

"Perhaps," He coughed, "I haven't decided what we plan to do yet. But I'm sure soon we'll stop by that town for a... negotiable exchange in resources."

"As for Arkcannon," He muttered. "We'll pay an early visit to it, and claim the due taxes the town rightfully owes us."

"Hmm," the Lieutenant chortled, "The next few days should be... Interesting."

The light outside was getting darker. The windows from the towns buildings glowed dimly as ponies gathered inside their homes. Neo and Adam just sat there on the porch of the Inn and Saloon as ponies came in and out of the old establishment. Some tired, some old, some happy, and some drunk. Though, there was something calming to just sit outside in the cool still night with the sound of ponies calmly enjoying themselves in the warmly lit Inn. Sharp Note leaned back in an old chair on the porch as well, with a guitar in his hooves as he played a soft slow song.

In some ways, it made both brothers feel at peace as they thought how their presence in a town could make this much of a difference. They had only been in Arkcannon for a couple of days, and yet so much had happened. They helped with the plans of defenses, get the drills, get weapons and supplies and more. Accomplishment was the feeling they felt, and for once in the wide open wasteland, they felt it. Not in a bustling city, or an underground stable, but a real sense of accomplishment from good ponyfolk.

"Not many ponies can make what happened today a reality." Sharp Note said smoothly whilst not breaking the mood of his song.

"Heh," Neo chuckled, "If only we were really that great, then I could truly be proud of myself."

Adam looked up to the dark grey sky and admired the large sea or rolling grey that the sky. "Cool Bl- I mean, Sharp Note, not to sound random, but what do the stars look like?"

He continued to play his song as he looked up to the sky himself. "From the few times I've seen'em, they're bright and mystical. Billions of them, all twinkling and shining, just lookin’ down on us like there ain't a care in the world."

"I wish it were that way down here..." Adam added.

"Don't we all, kid. My great grandad told me about when the world was nice, and a peaceful day could be found everyday. He was a young colt at the time, but he still remembered enough to tell us about it."

Neo looked up to the sky as well. "I wonder... I wonder what others think of us, to look down on our small little world and watch us kill each other. But there I go, rambling on about something random..."

"Nah, it's fine," Sharp Note replied, "This is the most peaceful I've seen the town in a while. So it's okay to sit down and think about something like that. Though, once we get out of this place, I can imagine what my wife will think once I get back..." He shuttered. "So much yelling..."

Neo smiled at him and looked inside the inn. "Where will the town go after they leave? Where is a safe place to house everypony?"

"Yeah, there has to at least be a hundred and something ponies here." Adam added.

Sharp Note just nodded at him while keeping the beat of his song. "The coalition outpost north of highway 37 is the safest place I could imagine these folk head off to. It's got the stuff to help a town like this fed for a long time, and it's pretty fortified. I should know, I've been there a few times before. If the Legion didn’t cut off our communication with them, we might just be getting the aid we need out here. But that’s where we’re off to, or we should be at least."

"Indeed. I can't imagine a safer place to go in these times." The Mayor interjected playfully with Cherry at her side.

All three of them looked to them in surprise, and even though the two mares took their attention Sharp Note kept playing as if no one was there. "Hey there Ms. Mayor, how are you this fine night?" Sharp Note greeted her.

She kindly smiled at him. "Fine, thank you, we thought we should come down to the inn and rest for a bit. I also wanted to check on the Sheriff and see how his militia roster is coming along so far."

Neo looked over at Cherry with a shy smile, she just looked at him back and blushed. "So, what are you doing here Cherry, just wanting to relax a bit?"

"Yeah, today was... Well, pretty rough for us. And after all the hard work we've gone through today, I think we all deserve it."

Neo got up and stretched for a moment. "I think I might head inside the inn as well, eat something, chat for a bit, go to sleep, that kind of stuff."

Adam chuckled, "Okay, I'll spend some more time out here. This is a wonderful night, and I want to enjoy it some more."

Neo patted him on the back. "Alright well, just come in when you're ready Adam."

"Alright brother."

Sharp Note continued his song as Adam enjoyed the fresh night air while Neo, Cherry, and the Mayor went inside the inn together. The swinging doors swung open with a faint creak as the three came inside to the warmly lighted tavern. The sheriff was sitting at a table off to the side of the room with another pony next to him, and a rather large book in front of him. Ponies quietly chatted to themselves while drinking whatever it was they preferred. Some ponies were in a booth to the side of the main open area of the inn, these ponies were the loudest ones there. They had cards out as they swore and cursed at each other as each of them discussed a topic whilst playing.

Cotsworth, the bartender, whipped brown mugs and tended to the few ponies on the bar that sat and talked quietly to one another. The Mayor made her way towards the sheriff to check on the roster, and seeing as there were several ponies lined up to sign it made her feel even more confident that they were well on their way to gaining their freedom.

Cherry took Neo by his foreleg and tugged on him to come sit down at a table with her. "Neo, let's sit here." She said cheerfully taking him over to a seat at a small table across from the ponies playing poker in the booth.

Neo sat down nervously, she was acting a little weird, and even though he found it attractive, he felt something hold him back. Like a wall that he had placed there himself to stop his impulses. Cherry called over to Cotsworth to bring them two mugs of Apple cider.

"Heh," Neo chuckled uneasily, "I... Uh..."

She gave him a puzzled look. "What is it?"

"Well... I..." He tried to tell her he hadn't drank a bit of anything alcoholic in his life. His stable prohibited drinking, though he was dieing to try alcohol before, he never seemed to get his hooves on anything like that.

"Well, it-it doesn't matter really..." Neo added in a slight stutter.

She just shrugged as Cotsworth brought them their drinks. "Put it on my tab Cots. I'll pay you back later."

He just nodded at her. "Just make sure it's before we all make it out of here or you'll never pay me."

She nodded back to him and looked at Neo. "Well, drink up! This is the one thing we've got plenty of in this town and it's cider!" She exclaimed before taking her mug and drinking its contents heartily.

Neo looked down at the brown golden liquid in his glass and just wiggled the cup a around unnervingly before putting the glass to his lips. "Bottoms up..." He groggily said taking a gulp of the cider.

He looked down into the glass and thought about what he had just drank, and he wasn't going to lie to himself, the stuff tasted good. Better than he had thought originally too.

"Wow... This is what it tastes like..." He said in an awed manner before taking a few more gulps of wonderful cider.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "You act like you haven't had cider before."

Neo shook his head, "Well, umm... No, it's just... This stuff tastes better than... Uhh, any of the other ciders I've had before..." He finished with a sly smile and faint squee.

She looked at him sarcastically. "Sure..."

Neo rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Yep..."

As he rubbed his head she got to see as his metal foreleg in full form. "Wow, you know I've seen a lot of ponies come through this town but none that have a leg like that."

Neo looked at it as if it were never there before. "Oh this thing? Yeah it's neat I guess, doesn't beat a good living one though."

"Yeah," She chuckled unnervingly feeling her own right foreleg. "How did you get that anyway?"

That sentence sent him back to memories of blood, screaming, horrifying pain all at the same time. "It's... It's a long story. Let's just say that if I didn't have my little brother I wouldn't have a right foreleg right now... or be alive for that matter."

"He seems to know his stuff when it comes to technology, huh? Seeing as he helped fix those diggers and his knowledge of stuff like that." She said taking his other hoof sympathetically.

"Yeah," Neo added with nostalgic smile. "He is good with that stuff, back in the stable, you should have seen some of the stuff he would come up with. The trouble we would get in when he had some great idea to change the stable I tell you. Heh, seems like that wasn't too long ago."

"Is that how life is in a stable?" She asked.

"Well..." He said recalling his life before. "I've told this story before, and somehow I enjoy retelling things about it... I guess I’m just a sucker for nostalgia."

She smiled at him again. "Mind telling it once more?"

He leaned over the table and relayed his life before. "Life in a stable is... Well, different from life here. Much different. The floors, rooms, food and water are clean. There is never a shortage on anything, and the only worry you have is that if you are late to work that morning. Your loved ones are close and...” He paused for a second, “They always seem to be right next to you all the time..."

"It sounds lovely." She sighed blissfully.

"It is... But there really isn't much more than that. Right now, though taking care of Adam and finding m-... Nevermind." He said getting watery eyes. "Look at me, getting all watery over memories." He added wiping the wetness from his eyes.

"Before the Legion came I would help my Dad and mom run the festivals we would have every year. We'd launch fireworks if the scavenge team could find them, and I'd run this little sack race game. Never in my wildest dreams did I think the outside world could touch us. And the travelers that would come! Oh, I wish you could have heard the stories and things they would bring. Some told their stories and adventures across old world structures and the treasures they would find, the ponies they met, and the brave fights they would have. I would go home and my dad and I would dress like we were on an adventure. I'd wear this old explorers hat and he would wear an old military helmet... And the adventures we'd go on!"

She looked as if she weren't even speaking to Neo anymore. "We loved going on adventures together..."

She suddenly looked to him. "What about you? What was your father like?"

Neo frowned and lay back in his chair trying not to think about him. "He's a jerk, that's all I know. He left us before Adam was even born... He probably died doing something, and I don't care. He left my mother on her own and I hate him whether he's dead or alive."

She put her hoof over the table and took his other hoof. "I'm sorry to hear that. My father was kind, wise, and always fun to listen to. He, helped save our town when a huge raider gang came to attack the town."

"He sounded like a good pony."

"He was." She said in a mournful nod.

The sheriff could be seen getting up and folding his roster book while talking quietly to the Mayor. The other ponies that the sheriff was with stood up with him and gather their things before thanking the ponies that hadn't left the bar yet for registering.

The Mayor followed the sheriff and his deputies over to Neo and Cherry’s table. "Ya did a good service for our town t'day. Now ah'm off, so ah'll leave you with a good night t'both of ya." He said tipping his stetson to the two of them.

Just before he was about to make his way to the exit he paused and turned back to Neo. "Oh, and I'll need yer help tomorrow mornin’. We got ourselves a lot of ponies who signed up tonight an’ we're gonna need the help preparin’ them for an attack if it comes a knockin’."

Neo nodded in an unsure manner at him. "Okay, I'll see you in the morning I guess?"

"Count’ on it." He said with another tip of his hat.

The Mayor came up to the table and motioned her hoof for Cherry. "Come on Cherry it's getting late, and we've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

Cherry gave Neo a shy grin. "Sorry we didn't get to talk long, but it was good while it lasted, eh?"

"Yeah..." Neo sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"Sure." She said getting up from her chair and walking with the Mayor out of the inn. Just before Cherry could leave through the doors she waved goodbye to Neo. He waved back before she followed the other ponies out into the now dark street of the town.

Neo really didn't do much after she left, he just sat there thinking, ordering and drinking more cider as he thought. Though one thing he did notice, was the change in his perception of the world. The room got slow and hazy, everything seemed to be shifting and unsteadily moving around. By this point he wondered how much ciders he had actually had, or better yet, how much alcohol was in just one glass? Well, by this point it was several glass but to him it didn't seem like that many. But he felt as his eyelids slowly came down, and regardless of how hard he tried to keep them open they eventually forced themselves shut. One they did, his head let gravity take it as it clunked onto the table.

Adam took in a deep breath and came inside through the swinging inn doors. Most of the ponies inside the inn were gone and had already left to whatever home they had. He did, however, saw his brother laying there on the table like he had passed out. Curious to see if he was okay, Adam came over to him and nudged him gently.

"Brother?" He asked him with a poke to his head.

He just twitched a bit and continued on in his unconscious state. Cotsworth just looked at the two while cleaning up the bar area. He had a little too much to drink. "I'll help ya carry him upstairs if you want, cause he ain't moving even for a mega-spell."

"But he hasn't drank a day in his life, why would he be passed out like that?"

"Heh," The bartender chuckled, "He's really fond of the cider we've got, and I don't mind him drinkin’ it as long as he pays me tomorrow morning." He said while hopping over the counter and over to the table Adam and his brother was.

"Here, take one of his legs and put it around your shoulder."

Adam did as he was instructed and helped him pick up Neo, who by this point was as heavy as concrete. They both struggled a bit to take him upstairs as his back legs hit the stairs they ascended on the way to the brothers room. "He's going to sleep like a baby." Cotsworth grunted while helping Adam take him upstairs. "But he'll be hatin life once he gets up tomorrow."

"Great..." Adam whispered to himself. "Of all the times you choose to drink brother, it had to be tonight..."

Large smokestacks cascaded high into the sky from the old ruined raider settlement of old Arkcannon. Raiders shouted out in horrifying pain as Legion soldiers stood inside the walls of the raider settlement. Though these cries came from the many raiders who pleaded and begged to be spared as many were lined up against walls for firing squads. Most of the buildings that the raiders had used before the Legion arrived were burning brightly. Flames and cinders poured out into the nighttime sky from them, and loud snaps and cracks could be heard from the burning structures.

Cyrus, the Legion captain, marched proudly down the middle of the now burning settlement. He grinned and chuckled to himself as he watch the ponies of the settlement die slowly. For the firing squads didn't shoot them in the head or anywhere that could kill them fast, but rather line them up with their backs turned and their hooves against the walls and fire at their lower spines.

Most of them passed out. Some just tried to kill themselves with blunt objects they could find on the ground, or they were thrown off into some ditch the Legion had made for them to die in. They wouldn't get anywhere in the condition they were in once thrown into the ditch, so why worry about anyone escaping? Soldiers in their standard armor went into the armory the raiders had and, plundered it by the cartful. Every kind of weapon or killing tool they could find was loaded and piled inside small wooden carts the Legion had brought.

Cyrus halted his march through the town and ordered a soldier at one of the ditches to come over to him. "Yes sir?" The soldier said with a proud salute.

"At ease. It has come to my understanding that they aren't dying fast enough. Now I understand that usually we operate differently but we do have little time to spend watching every single one of them die in a ditch."

"What will you have me do sir?"

He grinned wickedly at him. "Burn them, and not just normal a nice sizzling burn. One that takes awhile to kill somepony, but will get the job done even if we leave. Is that understood private?"

He saluted him once again. "Yes sir, it will be done sir."

"Good." He said giving him a pat on the shoulder before the soldier went off to perform his task.

Buildings were collapsing now. The flames eating slowly at the old beams and supports that had kept them up for so long now giving way to the will of the flames. This is why Cyrus loved the Legion, the sounds, the feeling of the heat of fresh burning buildings. It was all magical to him, and in a way almost pleasing. He was a captain on the frontlines of the northern border, and he stayed there for a majority of his time while in the Legion. It was because of this he loved war, he was exposed to the harshness of brutal and grizzly combat, the likes of which hardly any could take.

He watched as soldiers took several screaming ponies whose guts and innards hung out from their bleeding bodies were thrown carelessly into the pit of the dead and dying, the Lieutenant rushed over to him. Quickly throwing a salute as the Lieutenant straightened himself up to his commanding officer.

"Sir, we have a pony, and he says he has information that could be important sir."

The Captain rolled his eyes at him. "Just another beggar, gut him and throw him into the pit with the others."

"But sir," He added, "He said that slavers came by earlier."

The Captain's eyes widened as he cocked his head towards the Lieutenant. "Slavers? Impossible! Nothing could get past the perimeter. Nothing!"

"These did sir, and he said he has more information on them too sir."

"I see..." The Captain hummed while putting a thoughtful hoof to his under jaw. "Bring him to me, we'll just see how much he really knows."

"Yes sir." He grunted before trotting off to get the pony he had mentioned.

Two guards dragged a pony with an old linen apple sack on his head. He was covered in small cuts and bruises as the Lieutenant and the two Legion soldiers carried him to the captain. They jerked him down onto the ground and removed the sack from his head. The soldiers raised their weapons at him and stood ready in case he decided to try anything spontaneous.

The shadows from the fires loomed over them as the Captain leaned over the raider. The raider sniveled pitifully to him. "T-Thank you, I've always liked the Legion! And I-I-"

"Quiet you whimpering filth!" The captain spat at him.

The raider reeled away from him with despair deep in his eyes. "Good..." The Captain cooed.

Cyrus looked him over with pity. "Have the raiders of this province grown soft on us? There was once a time, where surrender was never part of the raiders vocabulary, but now... Look at you, ponies like us feared facing you and your kind, the very name of raiders was feared everywhere you looked. Just look how far you've fallen. You're weak, pitiful creatures, who no longer serve a place in this world!"

The raider just whimpered and covered his head in fear of the Captain. "But," Cyrus added softly placing his hoof gently on his head, "You are not completely useless, but rather, we might need of you."

The raider looked up at him with hopeful eyes. "R-really?" He stuttered.

He nodded at him with a dark smile. "Do you fear death, raider? More than you fear anything?"

He nodded furiously at him. "Y-yes!"

"Well then," The captain softly said leaning to his head. "I offer an escape, from your old life, from this... Do you know what I speak of?"

The raider thought for a second and nodded once more to him. "Good. Now, raider do you truly wish to join the pure of the Legion?"

He stared at him with confusion for a moment. "J-Join you?"

With a calm nod the Captain said, "Yes. And to escape a fate worse than what your friends face, all you need to do is tell us what you know. Once you do, just show us who these ponies are that came past the perimeter... That is all I ask."

He had a tear of hope run down his cheek as he stood up from the ground. "Y-yes! I can do that! I will help you!"

"Do you give up your old ways to live a pure noble life with the just?"

He thought for a second, but under the conditions he faced he agreed. "Yes!"

The captain smiled mischievously at him. "Excellent... You will serve a higher cause with the Legion."

The raider had a hard time speaking as joy fluttered about in his chest. "Y-yes sir! I will not fail you!"

The Captain turned away from him. "I know." He stated gently before ordering a soldier to take him back to the camp.

The Lieutenant came up next to Cyrus and followed him through the center of the burning settlement. "You really think he is useful to us, sir? Just taking him like that, how do we plan to do this? And what plan of yours concerns that- that raider!"

"I understand your viewpoint on this matter," He chuckled, "We'll go through the spy tapes tomorrow and see what our spy has uncovered in the town."

"If these ‘slavers’ came to this settlement, they most likely went back to the town, even in it's terrible condition."

"Yes sir, however I'm not sure I follow. Where does this raider come in, sir?"

"I have plans for him, and for my plan to work, I need to have the raider calm and with a clear mind.."

The Lieutenant oddly stared at him. "I still don't understand, sir. What does he have to do with anything?"

"Like I said, we'll have a real chat with him back at camp, and if he doesn't give me what I need, then... Well, let's just say that what the rest of the raiders had will seem just like pinches compared to what I will do to him."

"As for the rebellion sir, does it have anything to do with them?"

"But of course, and if things go the way I plan, that town will wish they never even considered betraying the Legion!"

Foot Note: Level up!

New Perk: Drink up me hearties yo ho!: Alcohol, preferably Ciders and Rum, have their abilities boosted by +2 when consumed.

Foot Note: Level up!

Would you like to Level up Adam as well?

Yes-

No

New Perk: Wise guy: Intelligence increases by +2 points with every time a computer is hacked successfully.

Proofread by:

Noakwolf

LyonAzakura

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