Darkness. All Scythe saw was a dark, clammy, dungeon. The corridor and cells stretched on for what seemed like forever. His horn burned more feverishly than ever before. His body felt terrible. The stinging, burning, pain was gnawing at every pain receptor he had. As he walked, the air seemed to have a tinge to it. It was hard to tell in this dark dungeon, but was this air pink? The burning pain soon added a melting sensation, like he was a stick of heated up butter. Whatever was going on, this place was no good for anypony.

Scythe continued through the dungeon of, what he only could assume to be, noxious pink air. This place was saturated in it. He could feel his insides churning as the melting sensation made him feel like being sick. He fought it, due to fear the melting may have loosened an organ or two. He hated this place, but his body just seemed to keep moving at a casual pace.

Slowly, he moved deeper into the dungeon. Rumble from above had fallen down into cells this far in. Rays of light shone the brilliant pink gas as it swirled through the air. The mostly shadowed cells were now revealing their contents. Most of them only held discarded chains and shackles. A few cells had long dead and half melted ponies in them. His feet then stopped at a large cell that had towering walls. It seemed to have off to have such a large cell in this dungeon. Lights from lost rumble above bathed the middle in pink sunlight.

The light could not permeate the entirety of the cell, but it dulled the darkness’ hold upon it. Scythe could see a pony-like shape on the far wall. It looked like a pony had been forced to stand on its hind legs against the wall. The pony’s head lay slack upon its chest. Scythe did not know why he was looking upon this pony. It was mostly just the remains of a long dead pony anyways. A raspy hiss filled the dungeon. It sent chills down Scythe’s spine. Wait. Did that pony just shift a bit?!
Before Scythe could notice further, he felt himself lifted up and pulled fast towards the pony. His body passed through the cell bars like they were not even real as he was rushed headlong towards the far wall. One thing was clear about the pony his was being thrust towards at break neck speed. She was dead. Yes, though she was in terrible condition, her body was discernibly female. Her hide was red, or was her pelt that rotted and raw? She had hair styled like him, just…longer. Her mane and tail was a mess of parts full of hair and awkward spots where it was horribly thinned out. Her pelt was covered in splotches of flesh peeling away from her, some of it had peeled away to reveal bones. Her stomach made him queasy as he looked upon it. The flesh looked rotten and melted away into a loosely made net to hold puss filled innards in place. If she did move, those innards would mostly spill out everywhere!

He stopped on a dime face to face with this mare as she raised her decayed head simultaneously. Her face was just as splotched with rotting flesh as her entire body was. That didn’t stick out to Scythe as much as seeing her mane was actually tri-color and she had bright illuminating green eyes. The crazed face of a mad pony only hissed out, “BOO!”

---------------------------------------------------OoOoOoO----------------------------------------------------

Scythe woke with a start as his head bolted upright. His ears were perked up at attention as he looked around him fearfully. He was panting and covered in sweat. He began to try regaining his senses at the sight of Lollimint and Crisp Coat resting soundly next to him. Whatever he just saw, was his own personal hell of a dream. Scythe gulped a hard lump in his throat as he began to regain composure. It was just a nightmare, a very twisted and disturbing nightmare, but nothing to get worked up about. Scythe eased out of bed and headed out of the room.

After a moment to rinse the sweat off him in the bathroom, Scythe entered the master bedroom. He needed comfort. He needed guidance. Our young stallion cultist wiped his hooves on the molted carpet before easing into his goddess’ bed. He sat there for so long, just staring out the window at the ruined Paintburg. Would Belldam hear his prayer if he prayed to her now? Did she know the purpose of his dream? What purpose did she have for her two remaining followers? Scythe sighed as he closed his eyes. He tucked his fore legs beneath him as he meditated on what his purpose was in the great scheme of things.

He prayed to himself,” Dearest All-Mother, I am lost. In your infinite wisdom you have left me virtually alone and our purpose gone. Is it your will I do something more? What should I do? I could try to spread your greatness to all ponies I meet. You might be more well received in these troubled times. A pony that murders all ponies common law lets slid; a pony that took it upon herself to become a great punisher and tormentor of evil. Thus, making you evil in the eyes of all the ponies that came to know your secret. Would you want me to spread your beliefs? In the stable we had an enemy to target. This…wasteland…I am not sure. Please, I need your guidance. …I-I had a dream though. Was that a sign already? If so, you must like to torment me with cryptic messages.”

“Scythe?” The soft voice of Lollimint touched his ears, and he turned his head hastily toward her.

She walked slowly to him as she asked, “Talking to your goddess?”

“Y-yes, I was seeking her guidance. This wasteland will be a very different animal than I am used to facing,” Scythe confessed.

“I am sure your apparent ability to act like a good pony while planning destruction will fit in nicely,” she teased, much to the response of a scowling Scythe.

“Lollimint, I do what I must for the good of the All-Mother and to survive. It is not your place to decide where I morally lay on the metaphorical opposing sides of good and evil,” Scythe told her.

“Be that as it may, did she manage to give you any insight?” Lollimint asked as she stood next to the bed.

Scythe looked out on Paintburg as he slowly replied, “No, the All-Mother is still silent to me. It is funny. I feel her presence stronger than ever, but she still does not speak to me”

“I will refrain from the obvious reason for that,” she added sarcasticly.

“Just because you have no faith in my religion, does not mean it is not real,” Scythe groaned.

Lollimint smiled slyly as she rose to her hind legs and landed her fore legs on either side of Scythe’s body. She never saw a pony whip their head around that quickly. She deftly nipped his ear before he moved his head out of her grasp. Scythe clenched his teeth as he rolled away from her. She wasn’t sure if he was more anger she bit him, or flustered by it. With a smile on her face she leapt into the bed and pounced on him. Scythe didn’t move as she landed on him. This took some of her fun away. She then lounged along the length of his body, her fore legs around his neck, and proceeded to snap at his ever moving ears.

Scythe grunted as he rolled with the mare while he tried to be gentle with her and protect his ears. Lollimint even gave her tail a shake with pleasure having the upper hand for once. She knew Scythe was probably allowing her to get this much of a drop on him. A trained soldier like him could knock a confectionary making mare like her off in a moment. Scythe had chosen to allow this as he rolled onto his back. He kept dodging her nips as he lay under her. Lollimint feebly bolts at an ear and back to her place laying on him felt nice. Lollimint absently had her hind legs slide slowly out from their controlled hop posture. Her sprawled hind legs kept her body lower onto Scythe. He could get use to keep away for this.

“Scythe!” Lollimint snapped at him, spoiling his mood with her obviously angry tone
.
“What noooow?” he replied with a groan.

Her hind legs batted back in forth a bit as she made her muzzle into a pout and said, “You making things a very bad touch while I am on top of you.

Scythe stared at her mystified. She was pouting because he was getting excited about her bumbling about on top of him. How could he not when the mare of his dreams is bouncing right on top of him?! He found the whole thing odd and very attractive. Who would have guessed pouting was a turn on for him. Lollimint’s whine at him proved she noticed too.

“I swear I while get off right now if you keep this up,” she declared.

By the All-Mother she was being very cute without trying too hard. Scythe lay still a moment just looking in her eyes. This began to make Lollimint uncomfortable after a short time. She began getting up as her cheeks were flushing a faint pink. This was borderline all out tormenting if she just walked away now! Before she could get up, Scythe hooked a foreleg behind her neck and pulled her hastily closer.

Lollimint froze in shock when their lips locked. She couldn’t return it. All she could think of was how he did this to drug her before. Scythe had his eyes closed as he began to stroke her mane with his other hoof. His tongue was trying its damn best to get her to let him in her muzzle. Scythe effortlessly rolled them over, so she was the one lying flat on her back. Lollimint was shouting in her head how stupid she had been for allowing this. Scythe broke his one-sided kiss with a lonely look upon his face. It suited his features. It reminded Lollimint of the old Scythe, the one she knew before he led a stable-wide slaughter. He just laid on her awhile, just staring into her eyes.

“Scythe…What are you doing?” she gave a shaky whisper.

“Thinking,” he replied, “Thinking about us.”

She squirmed under him a bit at this statement. It had still barely been a month since he killed so many ponies. She couldn’t trust him. Yes, if he had come to her that night just to confess his feelings, maybe there would have been a them. He wanted that. It was the only leverage she had. She had the one thing he wouldn’t try to take by force. He wanted her to choose him whether she had a choice or not.

“Scythe, maybe it is best you get off me,” Lollimint commented.

Scythe wore a sullen expression as he struggled with her comment. He wanted to ignore her. She could see he was weighing the choice to let her up, of not let her up for some fun. Scythe wanted her right now. His choice was made by the calling of his name outside. Suddenly, Lollimint wasn’t first priority on his to do list. Scythe swore under his breath as he went to the window.

Lollimint could only blush at his whispered comment of, “She better taste minty when I do get some.”

Scythe looked out the window and stiffened at what he saw. Lollimint came to his side out of curiosity. He was looking down into the gloom at the entrance of the house. It took Lollimint a few moments to see it. The outline of a crate and a pony…a steel pony. Lollimint shied away from the window. The last thing they needed was another run in with those steel death ponies. The pony called for Scythe again. Scythe was visibly displeased with this. With a hard gulp, he turned to walk out the door.

“You’re not seriously going out there!” Lollimint exclaimed.

“Lolli, if I don’t, who’s to say he won’t blast in here and harm us all?” Scythe shot back over his shoulder, “Atleast I can try to keep you two safe by going to him.”

“Scythe, let me come with you,” Lollimint argued.

“What about Crisp then?” he retorted as he continued out the door.

“Scythe, Crisp is still sound asleep. Please, let me come to make sure you will be okay,” she pleaded.

Scythe stopped and glared back at her. He knew she meant well. But, was he willing to risk the steel pony doing worse to her than what he faced? If he was considered cute, she was positively smoking to anypony. With a defeated sigh at her large worried eyes, Lollimint quickly melded to his side. She kept as close to him as possible as he descended the stairs and headed to the front door. The hard knocks meant the steel pony was still there.

When he opened the door, the all too familiar steel pony stood before them. By the fact he wasn’t jumped immediately and molested, he tried to remember the name of the steel pony that saved his flanks. The steel pony’s respirator hissed as he looked from Scythe to Lollimint.

“I saw there were numerous tracks, but I did not think you had a young mare with you,” the steel pony commented, while Lollimint blushed.

“What do you want, steel pony?” Scythe replied flatly.

The steel pony chuckled before saying, “I am Journey Knight Powdered Sugar, the steel ranger you met last evening with my…unsavory colleague.”

“Thanks for that. Now, what do you want?” Scythe almost growled back.

“I would like it if you acted with a bit more decorum when addressing a pony that has come to help. The fact I covered your tracks here is help enough without these supplies,” Powdered Sugar replied.

“Oh, thank you for that, Sir Knight,” Lollimint said with a voice like tinkling bells.

Powdered Sugar bowed before taking her hoof and said, “My apologies for any grief the Steel Rangers have caused you, dear miss. I am sure harming your husband made your evening more stressful.”

“Oh hohohohoho, you’re so kind…Wait, husband?!” Lollimint exclaimed from a reply that was meant to flirt with this Steel Ranger. Scythe was having a good laugh out of it next to her.

Powdered Sugar retracted his hoof as he replied, “Am I wrong to assume you are a couple?”

“No, you hit it right on the head. This is my little mare. Not exactly my wife though,” Scythe managed to say before he burst into laughter again.

“No, I am not!” Lollimint said with a hoof stomp before she cozied up to Powdered Sugar saying, “Sir Knight, surely a brave pony like you would not oppose taking a fair damsel like myself away from this brute.”

Scythe bristled at her blatant flirting in front of him. She was his mare! His and his alone forever! The part that got his fur standing on end was the way Powdered Sugar responds. He doesn’t say a word. From where Scythe was standing, Powdered Sugar didn’t need to say anything to express his opinion. The bastard was casually looking over Lollimint. Scythe was fuming at how obvious it was this Steel Ranger was entertaining the idea of running off with her. Even if he didn’t feel it, Scythe wanted to buck him. He wanted to buck this stallion so very hard.

“I am afraid, dear miss, I must decline your offer. Your best bet for a safe haven is Tenpony Tower of Manehatten. It is a much safer hub to survive than this place,” Powdered Sugar replied.

Lollimint rushed until her muzzle touched his steel one and said sultry, “Call me Lollimint, Sir Powdered Sugar. If you ever change your mind about taking me away somewhere, you can even address me as your little Minty.”

“Is…Is she always this…friendly?” Powdered Sugar stammered as he backed off closer to Scythe.

“No,” Scythe replied sullenly
.
“May I come in with this care package? It is better if we finish our discussion out of this exposed terrain,” Powdered Sugar asked.

Scythe grumbled as he moved aside. He hated this. He was being given a hand out by Steel Rangers. Worse part being, Lollimint was acting like she was two hoof beats from letting Powdered Sugar be more “friendly” with her than she was willing to allow Scythe. All Lollimint hadn’t done was place her front hooves on a counter, lift her tail, and bat her beautiful green eyes at him. Gah! Now she was practically glued to his side as he heaved the crate in without ease. Her tail was even twisting around his metal one!

“Lollimint, you forget your place. Stop treating our guest in that way,” Scythe growled at her as he motioned for her to report to the couch.

She blew him a raspberry as she trotted past. Powdered Sugar followed slowly to match Scythe’s pace. Powdered was less enthused about Lollimint’s treatment than she was. He coughed awkwardly before removed his helmet. The hiss of steam from the removed helmet blocked his features. When it did clear, Powdered Sugar was a fairly decent looking stallion. He was maybe a year or so older than them. His coat was snow white, nearly cut-off straw colored mane, and bright blue eyes.

“I apologize if I have upset some group dynamic. I came to reimburse you for your troubles earlier. My elder does not know I am here. Sharp Stone and our whole company would be here as well, if he did,” Powdered apologized. Scythe stiffened at the name of his harasser.

“Well, you brought us your crate of supplies. Say your peace and leave,” Scythe barked back.

“Barely a day in the wasteland and your already hardening yourself from the kindness of others. Haha, funny how it does that to ponies. Look, I came here to give you a hoof of help. I lived my whole life as a wasteland pony. While I am still here, I would advise not to waste that assest,” Powdered said.

“Sir Powdered Sugar, why are there so few ponies around here?” Lollimint was all too eagered to ask as she sprawled seductively on the middle couch.

After a noticeable twinge at the sight of such a…willing…mare Powdered replied, “That is simply because the wasteland is not fit for many pony settlements. It has been almost fifty years since most towns were created. Many do not travel the wasteland without reason.”

“So, this Tenpony Tower is one of those few large settlements?” Scythe asked.

“One of the oldest too. It is said the tower survived the bombs and ponies have been living there this whole time. A little uppity at times, but good ponies none the less,” Powdered explained.

“After spending so much time alone with Scythe, a dose of time with good ponies would be great,” Lollimint said with a wink at Powdered Sugar.

“Miss, you do know my company was involved with the destruction of your stable, don't you?” Powdered asked.

Lollimint rolled onto her tummy and replied, “Oh, I’m sure you didn’t like it one bit. Scythe here loves harming others. He even refused to help me until I made a deal with him to be his love slave.”

“You lying little..!” Scythe exclaimed as Powdered turned his head quickly towards him. The Steel Ranger looked like he was fuming with rage. Damn Lollimint and her big mouth. She had managed to strike some kind of noble cord in Powdered Sugar’s heart.

“It seems I was wrong to save the likes of you from Sharp Stone,” Powdered Sugar growled as he advanced on Scythe
.
“She is lying! I never once said love slave. She made a pact with me to be my mare and mine alone! You don’t see any sign that she has been treated with any less than upmost respect! I could make her that, but I don’t!” Scythe shouted at the steel ranger as he advanced on him.

“You sound like some disillusioned maniac. You can’t enslave others, you sick fuck!” Powdered Sugar exclaimed as he pounced on Scythe.

Learning his lesson on steel pony armor, Scythe rolled out of the way and smacked into a couch. He scrambled to his hooves as he prepared to fight the steel pony unarmed. Powdered Sugar whinnied as he rose to charge him. Scythe’s horn glowed as he charged back. Lollimint stared at her handy work as Scythe was slammed into the brick wall right above her and fell into her lap. The crazy stallion moaned as he began bleeding profusely from a head injury and didn’t bother to get up. Lollimint stared at him as she moved his forelock out of his face.

A straggled voice whispered, “Damnit, Lolli, don’t you understand….I love you.”

Lollimint struggled with tears. This had been what she wanted. She wanted to be free from the murderous pony. This stupid pony she grew up alongside, and at one time cared about. It wasn’t fair! Why do ponies still look the same when they were good even when you know they are evil?! That answer was simple. Scythe was never a good wholesome pony. He hid who he was. Only thing he never hid was how he felt about her. He never said it until now, but she saw the way he looked at her in the stable. This crazy, murdering, pony was Scythe. Even in his madden state; he had tried to protect her from his mission. Atleast twice her life was his to save or let die, and he chose to save her both times.

“Step aside, M’lady. Once I have finished this ruffian, you can collect your friend and I will take you to Tenpony Tower,” Powdered Sugar said as he advanced.

“Please…stop,” she mumbled.

“Pardon, Miss Lollimint?” Powdered asked.

“Thank you for sticking up for me, but please stop. Scythe…Scythe has been a bad pony, but…I used to love him. I…I can’t bear to watch him die. Not just yet. I want to try and make him the good pony I remember. Besides, my friend is Scythe’s foal cousin. How could I explain to him I just let a steel pony kill Scythe. Please, don’t make me do that,” Lollimint said through shaking breathes as she wept. Scythe wasn’t moving anymore. He lost consciousness after he said he loved her. She could let him die, and he could be killed mercifully without a fuss.

“Is that what you truly want, Miss Mint?” Powdered Sugar asked.

“Yes. I want to try and make him good. He needed to be punished, but I… I can’t watch him die,” Lollimint wept as she held Scythe close now.

“…Then we need to dress his wound. Any form of weakness will be your death in the wasteland. But, you are naïve, Miss Mint,” Powdered Sugar said as he opened the supply crate.

“Naïve?” Lollimint asked him.

Powdered Sugar took out a roll of bandages and began wrapping the skull he took the time to crack open as he replied, “You will find there is no good or bad in the wasteland. All there is are better and worse ponies than you. Scythe will have an easy time fitting in here. You, Miss, will become the target of any pony thinking they can get an advantage on you.”

Scythe's haggard breathing seemed to calm after the bandage was secured. Lollimint held him close as he slept soundly in her hooves. Scythe seemed very content with his resting place when she noticed Powdered looking at them with a distant smile.

“You two are very lucky to have each other. Working together is all we really have to survive the wasteland. That’s a bit of advice from a pony that knows. Make a lot of allies, get good at fighting, and collect as many caps as you can. Strength to survive comes in numbers,” Powdered said as he shuffled to place his helmet back on.

“Come with us, “ Lollimint said softly.

Powdered Sugar stopped a moment before he looked at her. She was the picture of kindness as she cradled her captor in her hooves wearing a sincere smile. Powdered Sugar gazed upon the sight a moment more before he said, “No, Miss Mint, my place is with the Steel Rangers. I thank you for the offer, but I have ponies I want to fight for. I can’t just let ponies like Sharp Stone be the only rangers walking about.”

Lollimint only smiled warmly at him as he turned to leave. She felt she had a friend in Journey Knight Powdered Sugar. He was a kind and brave soul. If a pony like him was created by this wasteland, why couldn’t she help Scythe become that way too? Things would be better if he was a strong and just pony. She wouldn’t have so much guilt for still having latent feelings for him if he was. The house seemed so much quieter as Powdered Sugar said good-bye. That was...He almost left. Then the strange noises from the blocked door started up. Powdered Sugar turned to Lollimint on a dime. She knew his facial expression was well obscured by his helmet, but she also knew he probably wanted a very good explanation for the noises.

Author's Note

Shorter chapter, but I really wanted to keep writing. I have certain scenes i have fleshed out that aren't ready to be introduced yet. So, moving the story along to get there.
That weird moment when you listen to a song while writing a chapter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLKFtIC2Idw