Chapters Fallout Equestria: M.I.A.
Fallout Equestria: M.I.A.
Part One: Old Legends
Two months had passed since Airborne and his friends found the greatest Pegasus in Equestria’s history, the threat of the Grand Pegasus Enclave had been diminished and now Airborne was itching for the next adventure to appear on the horizon. Earlier that day Rainbow Dash had sent a message to Airborne for him to come to her office in the New Wonderbolt Academy. Airborne was puzzled at the summons but flew his way through the cloud filled streets of New Cloudsdale towards the New Wonderbolt Academy. Arriving on the grounds of the Academy was like stepping back into a past Airborne could only dream of one that didn’t involve ghouls or raiders but instead was a past that every pony kept alive in stories and songs of the glory days of Equestria when they were ruled by the legendary alicorn princesses Celestia and Luna.
Approaching the Academy, Airborne can see the new recruits flying around the track testing their wing speed while others get on an antique Dizzatron and get spun around until they fly off dizzily then crash into the ground. Airborne lands in front of the main Academy building, and he looks at the mural painted over the entrance. The mural depicted Old Cloudsdale in its glory days before the War. Pegasus’s flying here and there either going to work or enjoying themselves at a favorite eatery. Airborne thinks, “I wouldn’t have mind living in Old Cloudsdale before the War, it seems pretty and a lot better than roaming the Wastelands with death leaning over a pony’s shoulder every minute.” Trotting up the stairs to the Academy, Airborne makes his way towards Rainbow Dash’s office. Many of the Cadet pony’s whisper as he goes by, perking his ears up Airborne can hear them saying, “There goes Airborne, did you here he saved Rainbow Dash?” another Cadet replies, “Yeah, I also heard he survived getting blown up by that bomb the Enclave had on that massive Cloudship. He is awesome!” Airborne smirks at the comments and puts on a stoic look to impress the Cadets as he passes by them.
Arriving at Rainbow Dash’s office, he looks at Rainbow Dash’s secretary a female pony named Grey Cloud. Grey Cloud looks up from her piles of papers stacked in front of her and says, “Wait a minute Airborne, I will let Rainbow Dash know you are here.” Airborne pushes his hat back and says, “I thought she was expecting me?” Grey Cloud replies, “She is but currently she is in a meeting with Commander Hurricane Wind, until she comes out of her meeting with him please take a seat.” Airborne sighs and turns trotting over row of seats against the far wall then sits down in one of them. Inside of Rainbow Dash’s office he can hear a heated argument between his old friend Hurricane Wind and Rainbow Dash. From the tone of Hurricane’s voice he could tell he was harping on the same subject he had discussed with Airborne two weeks prior to Rainbow Dash’s summons.
Even though the Enclave was defeated and New Cloudsdale secured against any future threats, the Dashite’s hadn’t been able to meet their obligations in the rebuilding of Equestria. Raiders still plagued travelers on the roads, ghoul attacks were frequent and the remains of Red Eye’s forces were consolidating into a new force in the Wasteland. The remnants of Red Eye’s forces called themselves the Red Remnant and they had already cut a bloody swath of carnage through the Wasteland. Hawkbeak’s Talons had made it their priority to find and destroy any Remnant groups operating near major caravan roads and outposts. But they were stretched thin and were relying on Fluttershy’s followers for support. Hurricane Wind begged Airborne to pressure Rainbow Dash into committing more troops to aid in the destruction of the Red Remnant but the truth was there weren’t enough Dashites to patrol Equestria’s skies. The years the Grand Pegasus Enclave spent hunting down any fugitive Dashite had begun to take its toll. They were short hoofed in regards to pony power and didn’t have enough ammo to take on a full scale assault against the Red Remnant’s headquarters in the ruins of the city of Coltpolis.
The door of Rainbow Dash’s office bangs open and Hurricane Wind trots out huffing in anger. Turning to see Airborne sitting down he says, “Maybe you can talk some sense into her cause I can’t. Arguing with her is like trying to convince a Hellhound not to tear your face off.” Airborne watches as Hurricane Wind leaves the office then sees Rainbow Dash looking at him with an exhausted look. She waves her hoof at him and says, “Come in Airborne. We need to speak” turning to Grey Cloud she says, “Make sure no pony disturbs us” Grey Cloud replies, “I will Ma’am.” Airborne quickly trots into her office and listens as Rainbow Dash closes the door behind them. Taking a seat before her large desk he notices the photograph of her friends before the War and asks, “So, how have you adjusted Rainbow Dash?” she flops down in her chair and says, “To be honest, not well. I didn’t expect that I would be awoken so late to find out that the world I knew, the world I had a hoof in destroying would be completely gone. I keep expecting my friend Twilight to walk through my door and lend a hoof in helping me run this place. But she is gone like so many others.”
Rainbow Dash takes the photo in her hooves and gazes at it fondly, she continues to say, “I miss them all so very much. It’s like having a piece of my heart missing and the void left by them aches so bad that sometimes I wish I was dreaming and that I would hear their voices again calling out to me to come with them on a picnic to our favorite spot in Ponyville. But having Fluttershy still here helps the loneliness that I feel and I will always carrying the memory of my friends in here” Rainbow Dash gestures to her heart. Airborne nods his head and says, “I can relate, I lost so many of my friends to the Enclave and I miss Darkstar every day and I think about him sacrificing his life so I could continue on my journey to find you.” Rainbow Dash places the photograph and says, “I haven’t forgotten what you and your friends have done for me or how much you have sacrificed to get me this far. I will return the favor someday Airborne count on it.” Airborne looks at her and says, “So why did you call me here Rainbow Dash?” Rainbow gets up from her set and says, “I am sure you are aware by now that the Dashites have yet to contribute in any way to the ponies below beyond what limited supplies we have. What Equestria needs is Dashite troops patrolling the skies and fighting any threat that raises its ugly head in the Wasteland. What we need are troops and weapons to aid us in our struggle to define ourselves in this new world.” Airborne looks at her puzzled and says, “How do you plan to do that Rainbow Dash?” She turns to look at him and says, “With help from the past.”
Airborne eyes widen and he replies, “How exactly are we going to do that?” Rainbow Dash smiles and says, “A few hours before the Last Day, I met with Soarin in Canterlot. I am sure you have heard of Soarin of the original Wonderbolts and I told him to evacuate to the Stable 200 near Mareston and await further orders. He was to await my orders, I had planned on rendezvous with them at the Stable but when the zebra’s launched the balefire bombs things fell apart so fast, I could see the mushroom cloud from Mareston rising high into the sky from Ponyville. I knew they must have died in the blast but part of me hoped they had made it to the Stable before the blast wave reached them. Inside that Stable are the weapons and supplies we need in order to finally contribute to Equestria in a meaningful way.” Airborne looks at her and asks, “How do I fit into all of this?” Rainbow Dash replies, “I figured that a pony who braved the frozen wastes of the Crystal Empire and made it back from the brink of Death itself would be the type of pony I would need to complete this mission for me. But there is another reason I want you to go there Airborne, I want you to find out the final fate of the legendary Wonderbolts and if they are alive to bring them here because having them on our side when we finally take down the Red Remnants will improve our chances of success.”
Airborne thinks about it and replies, “Alright I will do it, after all my wings have been itching for another adventure and to be honest it would provide me an opportunity to get away from these starry eyed Cadets. I don’t think I am cut out for fame” Rainbow Dash chuckles and says, “I am glad you agreed to go and I don’t everypony is able to bask in the awesomeness of their own legends not like me of course.” Airborne replies, “I would rather have remained an unknown pony than have my legend touted about by these recruits who look to me as a hero. I don’t think I have a big enough ego to handle it like you do Rainbow Dash. But will I be going alone on this mission or will I have help?” Rainbow Dash smiles and replies, “I will be sending a few of my best ponies with you and I imagine Starshine will want to come along as well I would hate to have to tell her no then have to deal with the consequences of her being angry with me.”
Airborne says, “So where is Mareston? I have never heard of it before” Rainbow Dash replies, “It is in the north along the sea near what was the border between Equestria and the Zebra Empire. During the War it was one of the first cities to fall to the Zebra’s but eventually we took it back and set up a permanent Wonderbolt presence within the city. I had the Stable built nearby when it became clear that the zebras were up to no good. The area is now known as The Tomb for the amount of ponies that died there during the War. I am sure you have heard the stories about that place” Airborne gulps nervously and shakes his head replying, “It is said that nopony who goes there has ever returned. It’s a place where the radiation from the bombs dropped there still lingers in everything you touch from the ground to the air you breathe.”
Airborne asks, “What makes you think they are still alive at all and that they aren’t dead or worse?” Rainbow Dash replies, “Stable 200 was equipped with the best technology Stable-Tec had to offer. Inside there are cryogenic freezing chambers that could keep a pony frozen indefinitely. Originally the technology was developed to keep critically injured ponies alive long enough for them to reach a hospital but as the War became worse the tech was repurposed to keep high ranking ponies alive in case the worst happened.” Airborne slumps down in his chair and says, “Alright but why can’t we get the supplies some other way? There must be other Stables that haven’t been cleaned out or taken over by the Red Remnant.” Rainbow Dash shakes her head and says, “We must get our supplies there that Stable if it hasn’t been compromised already it has a lot of weapons and Pre-War tech that you won’t find any where’s else besides the area has been taken over by a vicious ghoul named Marrowmuncher. He and his ghouls are among some of the worst abominations that roam the Wastelands; I don’t want some ghoul arming himself with the weapons stored in the Stable. Before you leave I will supply you with plenty Rad-away and some masks to filter out the radiation in the air.” Airborne nods and says, “I will make it a quick trip and be extra careful not to end up as a ghoul’s meal.”
As Airborne gets ready to leave Rainbow Dash’s office, Rainbow trots over to him and hands him a small folded document and says, “Please if you find Soarin give him this” Airborne unfolds the small document and sees it is an old photograph of Soarin and Rainbow Dash at some party. She says, “That was taken at Princess Cadence’s and Shining Armor’s wedding. I cherish that photo more than anything when Soarin gets it he will know it is from me and what it means.” Rainbow Dash blushes slightly and hides her face underneath her rainbow mane. Airborne says quietly, “You were in love with him” Rainbow Dash nods and says, “Yes, I was. We were to have been married but the wedding was to take place a few days after the Last Day but it never happened. Instead of a wedding I got the Apocalypse instead as a gift and I never saw Soarin again after that.” Airborne puts the photo in his saddlebag and says, “I will find him whatever it takes Rainbow and I will bring him back to you” Rainbow hugs him and says, “I know you will Airborne just be careful out there.”
Airborne quickly races out of the Academy and is surprised to see Starshine standing outside of the Academy with two other Pegasus. Starshine smiles at Airborne saying, “I guess Rainbow Dash gave you a pretty good assignment otherwise she wouldn’t have sent somepony to come and find me.” Airborne trots up to Starshine and nuzzles her saying, “You won’t believe who we have to find now” Starshine nickers happily then stops taking two steps back from Airborne saying, “Who do we have to find now? The final resting place of Princess Luna or some relic that belonged to a pony ages ago?” Airborne shakes his head and excitedly says, “No, we have to find the original Wonderbolts!” Starshine cocks her head and says, “Oh, is that all. I thought we would have to travel to find somepony lost out there in the Wastes, oh wait that is exactly what we are doing. How could you even think this was a good idea? After what happened last time I figured you had enough of being shot at by crazy bandits or running from ghoul’s hell bent on ripping you to pieces?” Airborne replies, “This is important otherwise Rainbow Dash wouldn’t have asked us to find them and after all you know me I cannot pass up and chance to see what Equestria was really like before the War.” Starshine snorts in frustration and says, “So where are they?” Airborne replies, “In a Stable 200 near the city of Mareston in the north and that area is now called The Tomb.”
One of the ponies behind Starshine says, “The Tomb huh? Sounds like fun, just point me in the direction and we will take down any enemies we find there.” Airborne looks at the two Pegasus, the male who spoke is light blue in color with a white mane and tail with yellow streaks and his cutie mark is a propeller with two wings attached, the other is a nervous looking female who’s coat is pink, her tail and mane are green in color and her cutie mark is a sun behind two puffy white clouds. Starshine looks at them and says, “Airborne meet Baleout and Sunrise, they will be accompanying us on this suicide mission.” Baleout trots up to Airborne and shakes his hoof saying, “I am glad to finally meet the legendary Airborne himself. I have heard a lot about you, and I am really excited to becoming on this journey with you.” Airborne blushes and replies, “The pleasure is all mine, so how long have you been in New Cloudsdale?” Baleout replies, “I came here with my two brothers Kipperwing and Wingspan but they were killed in the battle with the Enclave a few months ago and even then I didn’t participate in the battle itself. I was still a Cadet here at the Academy up until I graduated a week ago.”
Airborne looks at him and says, “You have been out of the Academy a week and now you want to come with us?” Baleout shakes his head excitedly and says, “Yep that’s about right besides if you think I am not qualified you won’t find a better shot anywhere in New Cloudsdale. I can hit a target out to a thousand meters and nail it every time. Besides someone has to watch Sunrise’s tail otherwise she might get lost or something.” Baleout gestures to Sunrise whose ears perk at the mention of her name. She nervously waves a forehoof at Airborne and Starshine saying, “I am..umm glad to be here. I will umm…be your expert on all things radiological and I hope umm…my talents will get us through this alive.” Airborne smiles at her and says, “I am sure you will do just fine.” Airborne flaps his wings and soars into the air followed by Starshine, Baleout, and Sunrise. He makes his way towards the New Cloudsdale Armory, when they arrive they find Hurricane Wind waiting for them.
Hurricane Wind looks as they land and says, “So, you finally convinced her to send out some help right?” Airborne says, “You could say something like that. We are actually on a rescue mission to be more exact.” Hurricane Wind replies, “Who are you going to rescue down there?” Airborne replies, “The original Wonderbolts” Hurricane Wind’s jaw drops and he says, “Rainbow Dash found them? What makes her think they can help us?” Airborne replies, “She knows how short hoofed we are here and besides the Stable has weapons and Pre-War tech we could use here so if we find the Wonderbolts we will be able to fight the Red Remnant on equal footing and play our part in rebuilding Equestria.”
Hurricane Wind shakes his head and says, “Fine, just be careful Airborne and Starshine take care of each other down there.” Hurricane flaps his wings and flies away, Baleout watches him leave and says, “Dang, I guess things are pretty desperate if we are going on a wild pony chase to find the Wonderbolts” Airborne nods and says, “Yes but we will find them so don’t worry about it and keep your mind on the mission.” Trotting into the armory Airborne dons his old Enclave armor and straps on his battle-saddle. Starshine helps Baleout into his battle-saddle who says, “I have never worn a real one of these before. It’s a lot heavier than I expected.” Airborne checks over Baleout’s armor barding and tightens down the straps saying, “Better to have a snug fit then some bullet pierce your heart while you aren’t looking” Baleout leans over and whispers, “Have you ever been shot?” Airborne nods and quietly replies back, “Yes, but don’t worry about that after all I will be watching your back and we have plenty of supplies to bandage up any wound we get down there so relax.” Baleout breathes out a sigh of relief and looks over at Sunrise who is getting helped into her armored barding by Starshine he says, “I am glad we are all going down there together otherwise I would probably end up dead within a few hours.” Starshine finishes helping Sunrise into her battle-saddle and says, “Are we already to go?” Airborne nods and tightens the strap on his well-worn hat and puts on his goggles saying, “Yep, let’s go.”
Airborne trots out of the armory and towards the exit drop-off to New Cloudsdale. A Pegasus in heavy armor gives him the go ahead signal and Airborne stares down into the bright blue abyss below him. Feeling the breeze batter against his wings as the warm sun soaks into his coat, Airborne looks back at everyone and says, “Let’s go!” Airborne leaps off the edge of the cloud city and disappears into a cloudbank followed by three other ponies that speed towards the earth like feather rockets. The wind howls in his ears as they descend farther down out of the clouds, the warmth of the sun replaced by the cold wetness of the clouds around him. Tucking in his wings he speeds farther through the clouds, behind him Starshine yells, “Airborne, slow down!” Airborne doesn’t hear her; the rush of the wind in his face consumes him filling his soul with a giddiness he only feels when he is flying. Breaking out of the thick cloud cover Airborne leaves a cloudy contrail in his wake.
Pulling up Airborne levels out looking over the blasted Wasteland that was once the glorious and magnificent land of Equestria. Baleout says, “Does this place ever change?” Airborne shakes his head and replies, “Sadly no it doesn’t.” Baleout looks at the twisted mangled wrecks of cloud cars and bombed out buildings that dot the landscape like blackened thorns. Flying towards the directions Airborne received from Rainbow Dash he says, “Tighten up formation, I would rather not present a target for the raiders down there” Sunrise yelps and replies, “There are raiders down there who are willing to shoot at us?” Starshine replies, “Raiders, and much worse so let’s not get turned into pony cheese and do as Airborne says.” Airborne banks left and the small group of Pegasus follow him towards the distant sea ahead and to the last place the legendary Wonderbolts were seen alive in Equestria.
Author's Note
Part One of Fallout Equestria: M.I.A. Please enjoy and stay tuned for more parts. Please don't forget to comment and give a thumbs up!
Fallout copyrighted to Bethesda Softworks
My Little Pony Friendship is Magic copyrighted to Hasbro Inc.
Fallout Equestria copyrighted to Kkat.
All other characters are copyrighted to me.
Fallout Equestria: M.I.A.
Part Two: Radioactive
A strong storm was brewing in the air; Airborne could feel the wind beginning to pick up, behind him Baleout coughed. Baleout looks at the gloomy landscape and says, “Is this place always this depressing?” Starshine replies, “It hasn’t really changed much since the War, with the exception of the bloodthirsty raiders and the occasional pack of ghouls that roam the Wastes.” Baleout looks at the dust storm quickly approaching them, he turns to Airborne who nods saying, “We better get into cover otherwise I would hate to fly blind in this storm.” Airborne scans the landscape and sees a destroyed building, turning behind him he says, “Let’s stay there until this storm blows over.”
Airborne glides down to the dilapidated building, looking up at the rusted lettering on the building, Firewing Arms stand out. The letters barely hanging to the wall, Baleout trots up to Airborne saying, “I heard Firewing Arms supplied weapons to the Wonderbolts during the War, I have seen a few of the remaining guns in display cases in New Cloudsdale Museum.” Airborne looks at Baleout and says, “How do you know that?” Baleout replies, “I studied what types of weapons and ammo types could be found in the Wastes before we left New Cloudsdale. I figured that knowing these things might be of help down here, maybe there are some useful things inside.” Baleout trots inside while Sunrise collapses onto the ground saying, “I have never flown this far before, just give me a few minutes” Starshine looks at Airborne and says, “I will wait out here with Sunrise, go inside and scout the building out.” Airborne nods and walks inside of the building, the inside of the places smelled of decay. The cement walls of the place were pockmarked with bullet holes; parts of the ceiling had collapsed revealing the dusty brown sky above. Through the broken pieces of steel rebar and piles of aged accumulated dirt the place was still standing after two-hundred years of wind and radiation.
Baleout comes trotting down a well-worn rusted steel stairwell saying, “There’s nopony here, but there is a lot of locked rooms that probably haven’t been opened since the War.” Airborne pushes back the brim of his hat and says, “Well then we will have to open some of the doors and find something useful lying around this place.” Sunrise and Starshine walk through the front door as the storm outside picks up. Starshine closes the door behind her saying, “So, what’s the news? Is there anything in this dump that is worth salvaging?” Baleout nods his head and says, “Yeah for how old this place is it hasn’t been touched.” While Baleout and Starshine build a fire in an old fireplace in one of the offices, Sunrise uses her Pipbuck to detect if there is any residual radiation in the building. Airborne explores the upper floors of the building and manages to unlock the armory door, pushing the door open it collapses off its hinges crashing to the floor with a tremendous thud. Searching the shelves of the armory, most of the weapons had corroded away. The upper receivers on some of the assault rifles had rust so thick that he couldn’t scrape it off with his hooves.
A small wooden box catches his eye; the brass nameplate was still visible. He approaches the box and wipes away the dust from the nameplate which reads, “To Lieutenant Fire Streak for exemplary valor and merit on the battlefield in the face of overwhelming odds, we the...” Airborne can’t read the rest of the inscription. Pushing open the box he pulls out two automatic pistols, one of the pistols has walnut hoofgrip and the other has a hoofgrip made out of applewood. On the slides for the weapons he sees two inscriptions, one that reads Gust and the other reads Thunder. Also inside is a shoulder harness with two holsters and a few magazine pouches. Pulling on the shoulder harness and searches the room for ammo for the guns, eventually he finds a box of .45 caliber bullets and blows the dust off the box. Loading the magazines for the weapons he slides the guns into their respective holsters and places any extra bullets into two magazines he found placing them into the magazine pouches on the harness.
Walking down the stairs he walks into the office, Starshine turns around and sees him saying, “So did you find anything useful in your exploring of this place?” she then sees the two pistols in the holster and says, “I guess you did.” Baleout looks at the pistols and says, “No way! Those are Firewing Forty-Fives! Those are really rare, where did you get those?” Airborne replies, “They were upstairs in the armory just sitting on the shelf inside some old wooden box, there was inscription on the box. They belonged to somepony named Fire Streak.” Baleout’s jaw drops and he says, “Fire Streak was a member of the original Wonderbolts. Nopony knows what happened to him during the War but he was last stationed in Canterlot so he probably died when the city did.” Airborne hands Baleout one of the pistols, Baleout carefully handles the weapon and says, “Dang, that’s heavy they only awarded these to pony’s who were incredibly brave on the battlefield.” Handing the firearm back to Airborne who takes it and places it back inside of the holster thinks to himself, “I wonder just how many of these weapons were awarded during the War? And how many relics are like this that are the only record of these pony’s existence at all?”
The following morning Baleout goes up to the armory and fills his barding with extra ammunition. While Starshine cooks breakfast, Sunrise trots up to Airborne and says, “I don’t think we should stay here any longer than we have to. There are unsafe amounts of radiation in this place.” Airborne looks at her and replies, “We will leave after breakfast, how does that sound?” Sunrise nods and says; “Sounds good to me” she trots over to Starshine and helps her cook breakfast. Baleout walks into the room and says, “I don’t think we will have to worry about running low on ammo for a while I took all of the bullets that I could carrying from the armory.” Airborne grabs a pancake and quickly eats it, Starshine chuckles saying, “Slow down Airborne otherwise we might run out of supplies before we reach Mareston.” Airborne blushes slightly and continues to eat greedily. After breakfast Airborne checks Gust and Thunder for any corrosion. Baleout looks out a broken window and says, “I think the storm cleared up” he then coughs up dust and says, “Dang, there’s more dirt in my lungs than air” he coughs again. Airborne looks at him and says, “I think we should probably wear our breathing masks until the dust settles.”
As they leave the shelter of the factory Airborne looks around, dust and debris swirling around. The storm had swept up the loose topsoil; the root system had been turned to ash by the heat of the balefire bombs. The Geiger counter inside of Sunrise’s Pipbuck began to beep, looking at it she says, “There is a radiation storm brewing to the west, we should avoid flying into the west winds.” Airborne nods and replies, “Good idea, I would rather not turn into a ghoul and spend an eternity trapped inside of my rotting body preying on some innocent pony.” Flapping his wings and soaring back up into the pale Equestria skies; Airborne glides north towards the sea. A couple of hours into their flight they make their way over a long forgotten battlefield. Starshine says, “This must be the Tomb by the looks of this place.” Looking down at landscape that resembles the Moon with so many shell holes scattered about, burnt out remnants of artillery and tanks. Even after two hundred years the place still reeks of death, Baleout looks at the battlefield and says, “I have heard stories about the savagery of the War but I never expect it to be this bad” Baleout tries to suppress the gall rising in his throat as he sees the pearly white bones sticking up out of the torn up land.
As they entered the Tomb Sunrise’s Pipbuck went off, looking at it she says, “This place is saturated with radiation we should find a route that is less dangerous.” Airborne looks behind at her saying, “There isn’t any time, we have to get to Stable 200 before the ghouls down there are alerted to our presence and I don’t want the greatest Pegasus flier team in history to become some meal for the ghouls to feast on” Sunrise sighs and remains quiet. A few hours later they had passed over the battlefield but the reminders of the war didn’t end with the battlefield, large craters and the burnt out buildings that were once villages now stand as mass graves to the lives that were snuffed out by the bombs. As they pass over one of the many large bomb craters Sunrise’s Pipbuck goes off again. Airborne looks at her and she says, “I am sorry; I can’t turn it off after all it is doing its job letting us know that there is radiation down there.” Airborne replies, “Well this is the Wasteland the threat of radiation is everywhere so this is nothing new. Let’s just continue on…” Before Airborne can finish the sentence his eyes role back into his head and he plummets towards the ground. Starshine cries out, “Airborne!” she dives after him flapping her wings as fast as she can, Baleout zips past her and catches Airborne before he slams into a pile of rubble.
Baleout lands gently on the ground as Starshine gallops up to Airborne’s limp body saying, “What’s wrong with him? Why did he pass out?” Sunrise says, “It’s the radiation, he must have absorbed too much of it, we have to treat him right away otherwise well it’s not good to be this way.” Baleout gestures to a partially collapsed building with an intact roof saying, “We can treat him in there” Baleout pulls off his mask and coughs up blood saying, “Damn this is not good” Starshine says, “We better treat you as well otherwise you will end up as bad as Airborne.” Starshine and Baleout drag Airborne’s prone body into the destroyed building and Sunrise pulls out a bottle of Rad-away saying, “Hold his head and open his mouth this could take a while to have some effect.” Starshine cradles Airborne’s head in her lap and strokes his mane; Sunrise looks her and says, “You love him don’t you?” Starshine blushes and nods saying, “I have never told him but I think in his own way he knows.” Sunrise gets up and gives Baleout a healing potion saying, “Here take this, and make sure you drink it all” Baleout takes the potion and drinks it then grimaces saying, “This stuff tastes nasty” Sunrise laughs softly saying, “Well better to drink it than have you coughing up a trail of blood for somepony to follow us” Baleout rolls his eyes and drinks the rest of the contents of the bottle then hands the empty container to Sunrise then shakes the dust out of his mane saying, “This stuff isn’t good for my hair.”
A few hours later Airborne opens his eyes and smiles looking up at Starshine saying, “I am sorry to have worried you” leaning over she kisses his forehead saying, “Next time tell me you have absorbed to much radiation otherwise I would rather not have you turn into a ghoul” Airborne nods and falls back asleep leaning his head against her leg. Baleout walks around the interior of the building and finds a crushed skeleton of a foal under a pile of debris, his eyes widen as he vomits thinking, “This place is messed up. The Wastes are a lot worse than I was told at the Academy.” Baleout walks away from the skeleton and towards the front of the building where he sees Sunrise administering another Rad-away potion to the sleeping form of Airborne. Airborne wakes up several hours later and says, “How long have I been out?” Starshine replies, “I few hours at the most, the Sun was already beginning to set when we came here” looking around Airborne asks, “Where exactly am I?” Sunrise replies checking her Pipbuck, “We are in the ruins of Hockington, we are almost near Mareston.”
Airborne looks around and says, “So, what’s the story of this place?” Baleout replies, “Hockington was a resort town before the War, but it became the site of one of the worst defeats suffered by Equestria during the War.” Airborne sits up then grabs a biscuit out of his utility barding and quickly devours it. Baleout looks at them and says, “We should leave soon. I would rather not stick around for something to find us in this Goddess forsaken place.” Airborne nods and agrees getting up on his hind legs as he stumbles about then shakes the dust from his body saying, “I am good to go when you guys are.” They all leave the building as Airborne stretches his wings and flies weakly into the air with Starshine following behind him.
Once in the air Airborne can smell the salt of the sea and says, “We must be close to Mareston by now.” Entering the skeletal remains of the city, Airborne glides through the canyons of twisted metal and broken glass. Below in the streets piles of rubble block the roads as some of the major buildings had collapsed into the streets when the bombs killed everypony in Mareston. Airborne lands in the streets near a sewer cover saying, “The only way we will be able to reach the Stable is by heading underground. I don’t think we will find the entrance to the Stable above ground with all of rubble blocking our way.” Starshine looks at him and says, “Where exactly is the Stable anyway?” Airborne raises a hoof and points at a large elaborate building at the end of the avenue saying, “That building was the Northern Headquarters of the Wonderbolts during the War. Rainbow Dash told me the Stable is located under it, but the roof has collapsed into the center of the building according to a scout report she had me look at the only way we will be getting into the Stable is through the secondary entrance in the sewers.”
Baleout looks at the sewer hatch and says, “Why was there a secondary entrance built in the sewers?” Airborne replies, “It was built as a way for the occupants of the Stable to have a means of escape should the Stable be compromised but I doubt we will find it opened but that’s alright because I have to codes needed to open it so all we have to do is find the entrance and we are golden.” Baleout shrugs removing the sewer hatch cover saying, “It smells really foul down there” Airborne says, “It might smell bad but we have to go down there if we are to find Stable 200.” Baleout enters the sewers first and makes sure the way is clear; Sunrise follows him down with Starshine close behind. Airborne closes the hatch back into place making sure it is secure so nopony notices they are down in the sewers.
The destruction from above had seeped into the sewers below, Sunrise’s Pipbuck going off like crazy at the toxic vapors wafting through the endless tunnels of the once great city. On a regular basis Sunrise had everypony drink Rad-away to reduce the risk of being tainted by the radiation in the sewers. As Airborne round the bend in the sewers he stumbled over something, falling face first into the water he looks at what he tripped over. A long rasping gasp echoes through the sewers, Airborne levels the barrels of his battle-saddle at the ghoul and fires. As the ghoul collapses into a puddle of its own brains, Airborne turns around to see hundreds of ghouls staring at him with their dull lifeless cloudy eyes. Baleout rounds the corner and yelps saying, “Well this isn’t good.” Baleout fires at point blank range over Airborne’s shoulder, Airborne climbs onto his feet and back up firing at the horde of ghouls pressing in on them. The tunnel filling quickly with crumpled bodies of a half a dozen ghouls, Sunrise screams as Airborne gallops past her with Baleout following close behind. Starshine says, “Sunrise let’s go!” but Sunrise doesn’t move her legs quivering as she sinks to her knees as the ghouls close in for the kill. Baleout grabs Sunrise and wretches her to her feet yelling, “Sunrise if you don’t move we are all dead! Let’s go!” She looks up at him, her eyes unfocused as tears stream down her face, she nods begins to move leaning against Baleout for strength.
Airborne watches as Baleout drags Sunrise down the sewer towards him as Starshine fires at the ghouls. Airborne takes her place and says, “Watch them, make sure Sunrise doesn’t freeze up again otherwise these sewers will be our grave.” She nods and encourages Sunrise to continue onwards. Airborne pulls out a grenade and tosses it into the horde of ghouls; the fiery blast scatters ancient ichor and hooves all over the walls of the sewer tunnel. But the horde steps over the bodies of the fallen and continue to press in on Airborne and his friends. Airborne says angrily, “I have had enough of this!” he fires at the roof of the tunnel as Starshine turns to cover him. Baleout tosses grenades out of his utility barding at the horde as Sunrise cowers behind him. Looking up she sees her companions fight for their lives, she thinks,“I am useless, they are all fighting to protect me but I cannot even protect myself. I am tired of feeling afraid all the time. I want to protect my friends and be helpful!” Sunrise gets on her feet and chops down on the trigger bit for her battle-saddle perforating the nearest ghoul which keels over into the toxic water.
Airborne looks surprised at Sunrise and says, “Now that’s more like it” Sunrise steps next to Airborne saying, “I am tired of being afraid” Airborne says, “We need to get out of here and I would rather not continue to waste bullets on these maggot sacks got any ideas?” Sunrise looks around and sees that one of the ghouls was in life a soldier, around the soldier ghoul’s waist was a grenade and ammo belt. Sunrise fires at the ghoul who explodes spattering Airborne with rotten blood and entrails. The blast collapsed the ancient sewer tunnel, the street above crashing down into the subterranean world below crushing the ghouls underneath ancient bricks and mortar. The water around Airborne’s hooves had turned brackish from the amount of blood spilled from the fight. Airborne looks at Starshine who sighs with relief saying, “Remind me to bring explosives next time we run into a horde of those things” Airborne nods and looks at Sunrise saying, “You did well, I don’t think you have to worry about being afraid out here anymore” Sunrise smiles and trots over to Baleout to have him reload her battle-saddle.
Airborne reloads his battle-saddle and turns from the pile of rubble saying, “Well now that the ghoul problem is dealt with I suggest we get moving before they find a way to get around that pile of garbage.” Airborne takes the lead as Baleout covers the rear as they make their way through the tunnels. Sunrise pulls up a map on her Pipbuck of the world beneath the streets of Mareston saying, “The Stable should be around here somewhere” Airborne looks back at her saying, “Are you sure? Can’t you get a better sense of where the Stable entrance is with that thing?” Sunrise shakes her head, “No it’s hard to say exactly where it is. The map is incomplete so we might have to split up to find it.” Airborne halts as he comes to a fork in the sewers, he gestures to Baleout and Sunrise saying, “You two take the left tunnel while Starshine and I take the right tunnel. If you find it give us a holler I am sure we will hear you down here.” Baleout nods and trots off with Sunrise at his side, Starshine looks at them and says, “They remind me of us back in the day” Airborne snorts, “Was that before or after I became a hero?” Starshine nudges him saying, “Come on you know what I mean, you were always getting into trouble back in the Enclave and for whatever reason I was always right by your side” Airborne replies, “Well I guess things haven’t changed much for us huh?” Starshine doesn’t say anything as Airborne turns and trots down the tunnel.
Baleout and Sunrise wander through the dark corridors of the dead city listening to the scurrying of the rats on the pipes above them. Sunrise turns on the light on her Pipbuck and says, “Do you think anypony got inside the Stable before the bombs dropped?” Baleout looks at her and sadly shakes his head, “I don’t think so, there wasn’t a lot of warning before the bombs fell all around Equestria. So I don’t think even as awesome as the Wonderbolts were they aren’t bombproof.” As they round the corner, he sees a massive door in front of him. Walking up to the door he wipes the years of rust and dirt away from the surface to find that underneath all of the grime the door is intact. He yells, “Airborne, we found it!” A few minutes later Airborne and Starshine appear next to Baleout. Airborne looks up at the massive door with the embossed letters 200 still visible on the metal door turning to Sunrise he says, “The code for the door is C905L69.”
Sunrise trots up to a small terminal hidden inside of the wall. Typing in the code, it takes a few minutes for the ancient terminal to unlock the massive door to Stable 200. As the door opens Airborne is greeted with the sight of two hundred year old cobwebs. Brushing the cobwebs away Airborne steps inside of the Stable, looking around at the impenetrable darkness he says to Sunrise, “I thought these things would have power?” Sunrise looks at her Pipbuck and taps into the Stable’s network. She says, “Power for most of the facilities has been drained there are some systems online but there isn’t much operating right now. The only thing I can tell is that power is being drawn from the emergency backup generators for something, and if I had to guess it is the cryo freezers for the Wonderbolts.” Airborne trots to the far end of the entrance hall and presses his hooves against an old metal door, turning back to Sunrise he says, “Is there any way you can re-route some power here to light this place up? Also is it possible to tell the status of the cryo freezers?” Sunrines replies, “No, not from what I can tell. All I know is that there is power being drawn to a source deep inside the Stable as for the door, give me a moment” Sunrise taps her right forehoof on the small keypad on her Pipbuck and says, “Alright the door should open now, also I deactivated the sentry turrets. I figured we really didn’t need to be killed once we entered the Stable.”
The inner door to Stable 200 opens as the outer door closes with a loud bang. Airborne says, “Well I guess it’s time to find out if coming this way was worth all the trouble we have had to get this far.” Carefully trotting inside of the dimly lit corridor Airborne looks at the graffiti on the walls which reads, “The World is dead, and so are we.” Baleout says, “I guess they were right after being sealed inside of this place I would think the same too” Starshine replies, “Well, let’s hope that the Wonderbolts are still alive I would hate to have come this far just to go back to Rainbow Dash empty hoofed.” Airborne gestures to Starshine saying “See what you can pull up on a terminal. I want to know if there are any other ponies here besides the Wonderbolts also if you can find out what happened to this place” turning to Baleout he says, “I want you to try and unlock the armory, I imagine the Wonderbolts will want their weapons after two hundred years and to be honest they are going to need them.” Starshine says, “Where are you going to be?” Airborne starts to trot down the stairs saying, “I am going to take Sunrise and have her help me unlock the Wonderbolts cryo chambers after all something down here is drawing power and I bet it is the cryo chambers” Sunrise quickly follows Airborne down into the bowels of Stable 200 in the search for the legendary fliers of Equestria and the last heroes of an forgotten age.
Author's Note
Part two of Fallout Equestria: M.I.A. Enjoy and don't forget to leave a comment and give a thumbs up!
Fallout copyrighted to Bethesda Softworks
My Little Pony Friendship is Magic copyrighted to Hasbro Inc.
Fallout Equestria copyrighted to Kkat.
All other characters are copyrighted to me.
Fallout Equestria: M.I.A.
Part Three: Unthawing The Past
Part Three: Unthawing the Past.
Airborne looks around at the dank interior of the Stable, walking through stagnant puddles and piles of garbage that litter the hallways, as they walked deeper into the Stable the more they encountered the bones of long dead pony’s. Among the bones rusted Pipbucks and shreds of clothing lay in heaps on the floor, on the walls faded blood stains stood as markers to some long forgotten violence that destroyed the lives of the ponies in Stable 200. Mournfully looking at the remains of the ponies Airborne says, “This isn’t right, they came down here to avoiding dying up on the surface and instead they found death inside of this gilded tomb.” Sunrise carefully steps over the bones and says, “They shouldn’t be dead, the Stables were built to protect the population of Equestria not be a placed where they would come to die. What happened here?” Airborne shrugs and says, “I dunno, whatever happened here it was bad.” Airborne’s hooves kick spent bullet casings down the hall, breaking the silence of the place as the ancient casings bounce along the hall.
Baleout finds the armory on the upper levels near the Overmare’s office, the door itself was slightly ajar the hinges rusted beyond repair. Looking at the door Baleout tries to force it open but the door doesn’t move, eventually he bucks the door with his hind hooves and the door crashes to the floor. Walking inside of the armory, Baleout sees the shelves are lined with box after box of ammo, the weapons lockers still stand with various firearms still inside only two of the weapon lockers stand empty. Searching through the lockers Baleout says, “Well I guess it’s my lucky day look what we have here.” Leaning over Baleout pulls out a shotgun with a large forty round drum and fore grip, the weapon is covered in sky blue and grey camo paint to disguise the weapon, on the stock an etching reads Cloudhammer. As Baleout gets ready to leave the armory to join up with Airborne until something catches his eye, he smiles and says, “Airborne would love to see this.”
Starshine makes her way towards Overmare’s office, she tries to open the door to the Overmare’s office but it doesn’t budge. A number of overturned metal desks form crude barricades in front of the door to the computer core. Pushing the door open with her hoof, she enters the dark room and manages to flip on the light which sends sparks pouring down onto her singeing her mane, in front of her lies a single skeleton with a small terminal pad lying amongst the remains of the pony’s rib cage. Bending down to pick up the terminal pad, the screen flickers the goes dark sighing Starshine says, “This is something that Sunrise could easily fix. I have no idea how ponies back during the War used these things.” Starshine sees a small revolver lying next to the skeleton, picking it up she spins the chamber to see if it will still rotate, on the hoofgrip she sees the words, Duty Before Honor written into the metal frame. Taking the revolver and placing it into her utility barding she trots out of the room on her way to meet up with Airborne.
Airborne trots into a large central chamber deep inside of the Stable, instead of finding beds inside of the Stable’s living quarters there are row after row of cryo tubes. Most of them are empty with the exception of five of them that lie against the far wall. Trotting up to the cryo tubes Airborne raises a quivering hoof and wipes off the thick layer of ice that has accumulated on the glass surface of the tubes. The ice falls away revealing the face of a male pony whose coat is light blue his mane and tail are dark blue and his cutie mark is a lightning bolt with wings, Airborne looks at the pony and brushes off the metal nameplate at the base of the tube which reads, “Soarin.” Airborne looks at Sunrise saying, “Is there any way you can open them?” she nods and says, “Yes, as old as they are the wiring and thawing procedures seem intact” Airborne smiles and says, “After all this time they are still alive, well then I think they have slept long enough it’s time they walked in the sun again after all this time. Start up the thawing procedures, the sooner we leave here the better.”
Sunrise links her Pipbuck to a large terminal next to the row of cryo tubes and works on initiating the startup procedures to unthaw the legendary Wonderbolts. Walking along the row of tubes he brushes the ice away from the nameplates and reads them saying, “Spitfire, Fleetfoot, Misty Fly and look even Fire Streak is here! It looks like he managed to escape the destruction of Canterlot.” Trotting up behind Airborne, Starshine pokes him in the flank. Airborne jumps a foot in the air and yelps loudly saying “Don’t sneak up on me like that! You could give me a heart attack!” She sticks her tongue out saying, “Relax Airborne, you are too jumpy” Airborne snorts and sulks turning his head away from her. The cryo tubes open up dumping ice onto the floor, the warm breath of the ponies melts the ice covered glass on the inside of the tubes. Airborne trots to Soarin’s cryo tube and looks as the pony’s eyes flutter open and come into focus. Soarin groggily sits up in his cryo tube and leans over the side vomiting onto the cement floor.
Looking up at Airborne with his green eyes he asks, “Who are you?” Airborne replies, “My name is Airborne, I am glad to meet you Soarin.” Soarin gets out of the cryo tube standing on his hooves which wobble slightly. The other Wonderbolts climb out of their cryo tubes, Spitfire stretches her wings while Fire Streak vomits all over the inside of his cryo tube while Fleetfoot and Misty Fly grab their goggles from their footlockers next to their respective cryo tubes. Soarin looks at Airborne and asks, “What is your rank? Are you even with the Equestrian Military?” Airborne shakes his head and replies, “I am not Soarin, and there hasn’t been a military force in Equestria for a long time.” Soarin takes a few steps back and says, “Just how long exactly?” Airborne says, “I hate to tell you this but it has been two hundred years since the end of the War. But there are somepony’s that you know who are still alive like Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.”
Soarin looks at Airborne and says, “How do I know she is alive and that you aren’t telling me a lie?” Airborne pulls out the photograph that Rainbow Dash gave him and hands it over to Soarin saying, “Rainbow Dash told me to give you this when we found you and said that you would know what it means.” Soarin takes the photograph from Airborne and stares at it fondly saying, “So she is alive. This is great!” Spitfire ears perk up and she says, “So if it has been two hundred years who is still left up there to help?” Starshine replies, “Most of the ponies of Equestria died when the balefire bombs went off, ponies like Princess Luna, Rarity and Pinkie Pie died when the bombs hit the major cities of Equestria those who were lucky enough to avoid being killed by the bombs found shelter in the Stables across the land those who were unlucky became ghouls which are nothing more than slobbering mindless monsters. Living up there has been rough, those who wander the Wastes have had to make a lot of tough choices just to live another day but things are starting to get better.”
Spitfire looks at Airborne saying, “So, why does Rainbow Dash need our help after all this time?” Airborne replies, “There is a threat to Equestria that could undo everything we have fought so hard to achieve here. The reality is there aren’t that many Pegasi left out there in the Wastes, after the bombs fell on Equestria the remaining Pegasi closed up the sky and isolated themselves inside of their cloudy cities not bothering to help those ponies down here. They called themselves the Grand Pegasus Enclave and we have had trouble dealing with them up until a few months ago when we repelled their assault on New Cloudsdale where those who chose to leave the Enclave live, they like me call themselves Dashites in honor of Rainbow Dash who decided to aid the ponies of Equestria rather than isolate herself from the world. This is why we need your help Spitfire; we need pony power and who better to aid us in our time of need than the original Wonderbolts.” Fire Streak smiles and says, “You can count me in, I have been asleep for two hundred years its time I got back out there again besides I imagine my flying skills are rusty after sleeping in these stupid things instead of training” behind him Fleetfoot and Misty Fly nod in agreement.
Spitfire smiles and says, “Well then it looks like we are all in, so Airborne take us to Rainbow Dash.” Just as Spitfire finishes speaking Baleout trots into the room spotting the Wonderbolts his jaw drops and his eyes widen. He quickly trots over and shakes their hooves saying, “It’s an honor to meet you all and I am glad for the opportunity to serve alongside the legendary Wonderbolts!” Spitfire looks at Airborne saying, “Somepony is eager, let me guess he is new to this sort of thing?” Airborne smiles and nodding his head saying, “Yeah Baleout graduated from the Academy a week ago but he has proven himself to be quite capable in the field and he has gotten us this far without risking himself most of the time.” Baleout hands Airborne a cloth covered bundle saying, “Check this out you will never guess what I found.”
Taking the bundle Airborne unwraps it to find an assault rifle, the weapon is covered in grey and green digital camo with a large scope held in place on the tactical rail below the barrel a foregrip is attached to the lower tactical rail, on the magazine well there is an inscription that reads, All Equestrian followed by a symbol that Airborne had only seen on old banners inside of Equestrian government buildings. The symbol is a bright sun on a red field, the flag of Old Equestria. Soarin looks at the weapon and says, “That was mine during the War, she served me well and saved my life more than once. I had her custom made from Firewing Arms, I miss shooting her on the range in Canterlot when I was on leave from the military.” Airborne hands the weapon to Soarin saying, “Well then you have more claim over it than I do since it belongs to you” Soarin pushes the weapon back to Airborne saying, “My claim on that weapon died the day the bombs fell on Equestria, I hope she serves you well Airborne and take care of her.” Fire Streak notices his pistols holstered to Airborne’s chest saying, “You can have those as well, I never really had much use for them anyway I always prefer to carry a shotgun into battle than duel pistols.” Airborne says, “Thanks you for letting me keep them, I will make sure to clean them every day.”
Starshine looks at Spitfire and asks, “How did you end up in here anyway?” Spitfire pins her ears back and looks at the ground saying, “We ran that’s how we ended up inside of this Stable.” Spitfire looks around at the dim interior of the cryo room saying, “We were able to leave Canterlot just in time before the bombs fell, we watched as the Princesses erected a magical shield around the city but we knew we couldn’t do anything to help them. Soarin had his orders from Rainbow Dash to go to Mareston and wait for her to arrive but she never did. We were only in the city for a few hours before the missiles struck, I can still feel the ground shaking under my hooves from the explosions. Everypony panicked as they tried to push and shove their way into the Stable but there wasn’t enough time to get everypony in so we sealed the Stable off and listened to the screams of agony as those who were unfortunate souls died outside. Originally this place was built to house at least four hundred VIPs but only one hundred and fifty ponies made it inside. Most of them were military personnel and a few civilians; the Stable’s Overmare was one of our younger recruits named Whisperwing. We waited for the all clear signal to be sent to the Stable but it never arrived. Most of the ponies in here figured out the situation pretty quickly after we had been in here for a week. That’s when things began to fall apart, some of the ponies mainly the civvies and a few of the military pony’s advocated opening the Stable door so they could go look for their families but Whisperwing’s orders were clear, nopony was to leave until we received an all clear signal from either the Government or Stable-Tec. But her decision didn’t sit well with those who wanted to leave so they mutinied. The Stable devolved into chaos, ponies killing each other hoof over hoof, some killed themselves than rather live in this place eventually Whisperwing sealed us inside of the cryopods since we were the only VIPs inside of the Stable I don’t know what happened to her after that.”
Starshine hands Sunrise the ancient terminal pad saying, “I found this up in the computer core maybe you can decode it to find out what happened here and once we get back to New Cloudsdale any of the names you find on there we can add to the Wall of Remembrance.” Spitfire notices the revolver tucked into Starshine’s utility barding saying, “I guess since you found that, it means Whisperwing died after all I personally gave that to her when she joined the Wonderbolts hopefully it was a quick death.” Airborne watches as the Wonderbolts suit up in their old armor and place their battle-saddles on. Baleout gleefully helps Spitfire tighten the straps on Spitfire’s battle-saddle while Airborne helps out Soarin. As they make their way back through the Stable, the Wonderbolts see the damage caused by the rioting and the bones of the former residents to Stable 200. Spitfire remarks, “They deserved better than this. To die like some wild animal cooped up in a cage that they had no idea would be their tomb is too cruel to imagine a fate such as this” Starshine leads the group of ponies to the Overmare’s office where Spitfire and Soarin buck open the door pushing aside the barricade inside. Looking around Soarin says, “Must have been one hell of a fight it looks like whoever was in here made their last stand but it looks like the mutineers weren’t able to get the door open so these poor sods must have starved to death.”
Fleetfoot looks at the command console and says, “I don’t think we will be able to leave this place through the main entrance the door diagnostic says the opening mechanism is damaged but the secondary entrance seems clear so I am guessing that’s how you lot managed to get in here in the first place.” Airborne says, “Are you sure there are no other ponies in the cryo tubes?” Fleetfoot shakes her head and replies, “According to this we were the only ponies who made it into the cryo tubes everypony else died when the fighting broke out.” Fleetfoot presses a button and says, “This will open the secondary entrance when we get there so let’s hurry I have had enough of this place to last for two lifetimes.” The ponies make their way out of the Overmare’s office with the Wonderbolts stopping inside of the armory to arm themselves. Airborne and his friends collect all of the extra guns and bullets into several large bags placing them on their backs for the return journey. Soarin looking at them says, “You guys are going to fly all the way back to New Cloudsdale with that stuff hanging off of you, things must be pretty desperate up there” Airborne replies, “Rainbow Dash can fill you in when we get back to New Cloudsdale on the situation but yes things are desperate.”
A few minutes later the ponies arrive at the secondary entrance to Stable 200, and watch as the massive metal door rolls back revealing the smelly sewers of Mareston. Misty Fly covers her nose with her hoof saying, “Please don’t tell me we have to walk through that nasty sludge I would rather be back in my cryo tube than trot in that stuff.” Airborne replies, “It’s the only way to get out of here besides compared to this place I would take a sewer filled with ghouls any day.” Soarin snaps his head around and stares at Airborne saying, “You mean those things are in here?” Baleout replies, “Yes sir, unfortunately we had a run in with them earlier but we blocked the passage so I doubt they are going to be a threat to us as we leave this place.” Soarin sighs and carefully steps over the threshold to Stable 200 into a world that he hasn’t seen in two centuries, the other Wonderbolts follow his example and leave the tomb they had called home for so long. Trotting through the tunnels, Soarin looks around saying, “If this place is as grim as you say it is I don’t think I want to know what is on the surface when we get there” Airborne replies, “The first time I saw Equestria as it is now I cried, it’s hard to think of this place as it used to be after seeing what it became after the War. At least you were lucky enough to have seen Equestria in its glory days and meet the Princesses.”
Making their way to the collapsed portion of the tunnel, Soarin and the rest of the Wonderbolts step out into daylight for the first time. Soarin lifts his head and looks at the sky taking a deep breath saying, “I am glad to finally feel the warmth of the Sun on my back again.” Looking at the destruction caused by the War he says, “It’s hard to think this was Mareston, this place use to be a bustling city and Equestria’s largest port before the War. I would come here all the time with Rainbow Dash and we would eat at our favorite restaurant although I doubt there is much left to it now.” Spitfire viewing the twisted and mangled corpse that was once the bright city of Mareston says, “Is all of Equestria like this?” Starshine replies, “Unfortunately yes it is. Most of the cities look just as bad as this; no city was spared when the zebra’s bombed Equestria not even Canterlot. Hardly anypony lives in the cities anymore since they are death traps crawling with all sorts of ponies who would slit your throat just so they could have an extra blanket or can of food if it meant they could survive another day out here.”
Airborne looks at everypony and says, “I think we should leave now its best not to linger in these places and we are in a hurry so let’s go.” As Airborne and the Wonderbolts rise higher into the sky a lone figure stands in the window of a broken skyscraper, a ghoulish smile breaking across his lips, from behind him a shadowy figure approaches saying, “So the Dashites have revealed themselves it’s time to play your part Marrowmuncher, take your ghouls and attack Fluttershy’s compound before the Dashites get a chance to strike after you have killed them all you will have what you want.” Marrowmuncher turns around and stares at the pony saying, “If it wasn’t for your guns or our mutual interest in see these warmskins off our land we would have dealt with you all long ago. This land belongs to the dead, you warmskins killed it and lost every right you had to it when the bombs fell but I will honor our bargain for we ghouls even have a notion of honor.” The figure slips back into the shadows saying, “Just remember to leave Fluttershy alive, I want to personally carve out her heart as she watches all that she has done burn in front of her.”
As Airborne and company leave the twisted remnants of the city of Mareston Soarin stops and hovers in place staring back at the ruins saying, “I will find some way to right the wrongs I have done even if it means I have to struggle to define myself in this new world in which I don’t belong.” Soarin turns his back on the dead city and races to catch up with Airborne as they fly into the setting sun. As night approaches Sunrise pulls up the map on her Pipbuck saying, “There is an old farm we can stay in for the night; this area doesn’t nearly have as much radiation as the rest of this place.” Landing in front of the barn Starshine trots into the building and says, “I will get a fire started, Airborne why don’t you find some lanterns so we can see what we are doing in here without tripping over something.” Airborne rolls his eyes and says, “You could have asked Sunrise she has a built in flashlight in her Pipbuck” Starshine sniggers saying, “Well she has actually made herself useful by guiding us here, you on the other hoof haven’t so get moving.” Soarin leans over and whispers to Baleout saying, “Are they always like this?” Baleout shrugs and says, “You will get used to it, I learned to ignore them after the first day I spent with them besides as far as romance goes this is pretty much as good as it gets out here in the Wastelands.” Baleout trots into the barn as Misty Fly trots to Soarin’s side saying, “I guess things have changed a lot in our absence so what do you want us to do?” Spitfire looks at her saying, “Secure the perimeter, I want three hour shifts to keep watch if this place has changed so much we have to be ready for anything. Fire Streak you will take the first shift then Fleetfoot will relieve you so let’s get to it.” Both Fire Streak and Fleetfoot salute Spitfire and say in unison, “Yes Ma’am!”
Airborne searches through the piles of junk and debris inside of the barn overturning a wheelbarrow he finds a couple of lanterns and shakes them to see if there is oil inside of them. Hearing the telltale slushing of liquid inside of the lanterns, pulling out a box of matches from his utility barding he lights the lanterns which cast a soft warm glow all over the interior of the barn. Starshine finds a hole in the barn floor and quickly builds a fire, setting the lanterns on the rusty aged pegs Airborne trots to her side saying, “So, what do you think of our little adventure so far?” She turns to him saying, “Well, compared to last time when we were dodging both yetis and ghouls this one isn’t too bad.” She nuzzles him saying, “Let’s keep it that way shall we, I can’t afford to lose like last time” Airborne nickers happily and replies, “Well, I came back didn’t I?” Starshine nods but says, “Yes but I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t.” Soarin trots over to the fire and says, “So Airborne want to do a bit of practice shooting?” Airborne looks at him saying, “I don’t think that would be wise given we are still in a dangerous place.” Soarin snorts and says, “Come on, do you really think anypony is going to get the drop on us? We are the Wonderbolts after all, besides my comrades have this place locked down pretty tight so we are safe to do what we want in here and to be honest I need to hone my skills to what they were during the War which is one of the things I hate having been kept on ice for all this time, your skills tend to fall apart after a century.”
Airborne finds some empty paint cans and stacks them on a row of barrels against the barns far wall, he trots back over to Soarin saying, “Okay let’s get shootin.” Soarin trains the barrels of his battle-saddle on the cans and fires at them while Airborne pulls out the All Equestrian and loads a large magazine into it then leans into the gun to make sure he compensates for the kick of the gun when he fires. Gently squeezing down on the trigger he uses the scope to sight in on the farthest paint can. He pulls the trigger feeling the butt of the gun slam into his shoulder almost knocking him on his flank, his shot missing the paint can and instead passes through the roof of the barn leaving a small hole in the ceiling. Soarin chuckles saying, “Maybe I should have told you she tends to buck real hard when you pull the trigger, a word of advice use the foregrip to steady your aim then fire.” Airborne nods and sights down the scope again grapping onto the foregrip with his hoof and fires, this time the shot pierces the paint can dead center blowing the can in half. After a couple of hours of shooting, Soarin says, “Alright I think my skills are starting to come back to me, I don’t think we should pop off any more rounds and risk running out of bullets when we really need them the most” Airborne nods in agreement. Bedding down next to Starshine, Airborne pulls All Equestrian close to him and tips the brim of his hat down over his face as he drifts off to sleep with the greatest team of Pegasi at his side.
Author's Note
Part three of Fallout Equestria: M.I.A. Enjoy and don't forget to leave a comment and give a thumbs up!
Fallout copyrighted to Bethesda Softworks
My Little Pony Friendship is Magic copyrighted to Hasbro Inc.
Fallout Equestria copyrighted to Kkat.
All other characters are copyrighted to me.
Fallout Equestria: M.I.A.
Part Four: A Calamitous Affair
Part Four: A Calamitous Affair
The following morning Airborne awoke to see Spitfire cooking breakfast with Soarin already chowing down on a plate of pancakes drenched in maple syrup. Airborne smile and laughs as he watches Soarin greedily eat the pancakes with maple syrup running down his cheeks. Soarin’s ears perk up and swivel in Airborne’s direction, he says, “I would like to see you go two centuries without having a decent breakfast.” Spitfire hands Airborne a hot plate of pancakes and say, “A soldier cannot get far on an empty stomach” Airborne thanks her and takes the plate quickly devouring the pancakes. Airborne after eating takes apart All Equestrian and cleans the weapon while Soarin stands over his shoulder telling him what cleaning products he should use to keep the gun in tip top condition. After cleaning his weapons, Airborne checks his battle-saddle and cleans the ghoul blood off his armor. Outside the barn, a dust storm had begun whipping itself into a fury as it approached the ruined farm. Sunrise’s Pipbuck began to beep loudly; Fire Streak looks at her and says, “What the heck is that noise?” she replies, “That storm is highly radioactive, my Pipbuck alerts me to when there are unsafe levels of radiation nearby. So I recommend that we leave soon otherwise, I don’t think I have enough Rad-away to safely cleanse everypony.” Soarin stretches his wings and says, “So, not only do you have to worry about ghouls and raiders but also radiation too” Airborne replies, “Welcome to the Wasteland.”
Flying ahead of the storm, the ponies make their way over the Tomb, passing over the endless reminders of the destruction that destroyed Equestria. Spitfire looks at the remains of the ancient battlefields and long ago ruins of villages with names forgotten to the past shaking her head saying, “This place use to be so beautiful before the War but now look at it. I wish the War had never happened.” Airborne looks at the ruins below saying, “It isn’t all bad down there, many of those who live in the wastes help each other out as best as they can and most of the time it is peaceful but we know that things could be better so we do what we can to help Equestria recover from the mistakes of the past that nopony can undo so dwelling on it isn’t going to help things Spitfire” Spitfire stops looking at the ruins below and replies, “Still it doesn’t make it any easier knowing we could have stopped this from happening.” Pulling on his filtration mask, Airborne says to Soarin, “When we get back to New Cloudsdale, you might want to purchase one of these things. They are really handy out here in the Wastelands.”
He watches as Soarin pulls out a tan piece of cloth with black checkerboard stitching out of his saddlebags and wraps it around his face replying, “No need this thing will keep out any nasty stuff floating around in the air out here” Airborne replies, “I guess it will.” As they continue to fly over the wastelands below, Airborne notices that the dust storm behind them is approaching rapidly, he says, “We better hurry! That storm system looks nasty!” Airborne flaps his wings harder and flies ahead of the group scouting out any place they might have to make an emergency landing in case of the storm. But before he can find a safe place to land, the storm over takes the group of ponies, Airborne’s eyes sting as the dust whips across his face.
Squinting through the dust and debris, a dark outline appears in front of him. Approaching the building, Airborne recognizes it as the old factory they had stayed in before on their way to Mareston. He yells up to his friends, “Down here, there is a place we can stay in and wait for the storm to blow over.” Starshine, Baleout and Sunrise land first followed by Soarin and Spitfire with Fleetfoot, Fire Streak and Misty Fly right behind them, trotting into the factory, Fire Streak and Fleetfoot enter first checking each room to make sure it’s safe. As they enter an upstairs office space two gunshots ring out and strike the doorframe above them splintering the ancient wood into a pale brown dust that lingers in the air like a mist. Taking cover behind the wall Fire Streak calls out, “Hold your fire! We mean you no harm!” looking at the floor Fire Streak notices drops of blood peering around the corner into the room he sees an overturned desk and a pony behind it aiming his battle-saddle at the doorway with two brown eyes intensely focused on his targets, the silver brim of the pony’s hat is pushed back on his head. Fire Streak can hear the ponies ragged breathing, from what he can tell this pony is wounded badly; two rust colored feathers lie on the floor next to the desk, the pony holds his wounded wing close to his body as he readies himself for the expected attack from the two Pegasi outside of the doorway.
Fire Streak says, “I can hear you breathing in there and I can see you are wounded let us help you, we mean you no harm.” The rust colored Pegasus replies, “Ayep, heard that one before, y’all just stay where you are ya’hear? Otherwise I will be forced to fill you full of holes!” Fleetfoot looks at Fire Streak saying, “This pony isn’t messing around let’s just kill him, we can’t afford to have some crazy pony running around in here while we sleep. I have some grenades in my saddlebags, I could toss one in and it would be over in a few seconds” Fire Streak shakes his head saying, “No that isn’t right besides I get the feeling this pony doesn’t want to hurt us otherwise he would have killed us by now, his aim is pretty dead on I have no doubt he would have blown my brains out when I stepped a hoof into that room instead he fired at the doorframe. Something doesn’t add up.” Fire Streak grabs the strap to his battle-saddle in his mouth and pulls on it, the heavy saddle rolls off his back landing on the floor with a loud thud. Fleetfoot eyes widen in surprise and she says, “What are you doing? Have you lost completely lost your mind Fire Streak?” he looks at her saying, “I am going in there to help that pony. I don’t think he will shoot me and if he does then you can kill him afterwards besides if I am dead I won’t have to live in this hellish world any longer.”
Fire Streak cautiously enters the room saying, “I mean you no harm. I am not armed so let me help you” the brown Pegasus replies, “Don’t cha come any closer, or I will blow you tuh pieces alright” Fire Streak stops half way between the doorway and the middle of the room saying, “My name is Fire Streak, what is your name?” The rust colored Pegasus’s ears perk forward and he slightly lowers the barrels of his battle-saddle saying, “Muh, name is Calamity.” Fire Streak smiles saying, “Nice to meet you Calamity, so you think I can come over to dress your wounds for you?” Calamity looks at Fire Streak and as he is about to reply he slumps to the floor unconscious. Fire Streak quickly calls over to Fleetfoot they carry Calamity’s unconscious body downstairs clean and dress his wounds before he further injures himself.
Airborne looks at Fire Streak saying, “Are you sure, this pony told you his name was Calamity?” Fire Streak shakes his head saying, “Yeah, that’s what he said to me, why? Who is he?” Airborne replies, “He is one of Littlepip’s best friends, he helped bring peace to Equestria, although I have no idea why he is out here in the first place. We cannot afford to let him die; otherwise I could never face Fluttershy again.” Misty Fly replies, “Well I don’t think you have to worry about that, as bad as his wounds are he will live.” Airborne breathes out a sigh of relief and sits next to Starshine leaning against her, she smiles at him saying, “Don’t worry we will take care of him, I am sure you will have a thousand questions for him when he wakes up.” After a few hours Calamity stirs, sitting up he looks around the room at the strange group of Pegasi. He notices a few of them are in uniforms he had seen in old propaganda posters from the Great War, while the other four are armed with a collection of both old and modern firearms.
One of the Pegasi in particular catches his attention, he is a young Pegasus with charcoal grey coat and blue eyes, his mane and tail are brown with black streaks, his cutie mark is a white parachute with a yellow star attached to it. In his travels since Littlepip entered the S.P.P., he had heard stories of a young Dashite who had risked everything to find Rainbow Dash and how this Pegasus named Airborne had defeated the Enclave’s renewed activity in Equestria, he even managed to survive the detonation of an experimental balefire bomb. Calamity smiles looking at his bandages saying, “Thanks for for uh patchin me up. You must be Airborne, I can't go anywhere without somepony talking about you.” Airborne scratches the back of his mane and blushes in embarrassment, then says, “I didn’t know that you had heard about me Calamity. So what are you doing out here anyways?” Calamity replies, “After you pony folk left New Cloudsdale, Rainbow Dash asked for me to meet with her. To be honest, I thought it was going to be some random pony that made themselves look like Rainbow Dash so when I opened the door my jaw just uh bout hit the floor. She told me to go after you since you didn’t arrive back when expected so she sent me to look for you but now that I have found you I can return to New Cloudsdale to tell everypony that you are alright in the meantime, I need y’all to move your feathers and get back to New Cloudsdale as soon as possible.”
Calamity gets up off the floor and winces a bit as he stretches his wings; Airborne looks at him saying, “Who did that to you?” Calamity replies, “Just some low down dirty Red Remnant ponies, they musta figured me for one of you and shot at me as I passed overhead. But I took care of them once they revealed their position, once I sight down on a target there is no escape” Calamity smiles and waves goodbye to Airborne and company then flaps his wings soaring high into the air disappears into the dust storm. As Sunrise and Starshine cook dinner, Airborne and Soarin practice shooting inside of the factories target range. Fire Streak and Misty Fly stand guard while Spitfire and Fleetfoot take stock of the supplies taken from Stable 200. With the storm finally blowing itself out, Airborne is told by Sunrise they can leave safely. Putting All Equestrian away on his back, Airborne trots out of the target range and down the main hall of the factory. The storm had blown in significant amounts of dust into the factory, the walls and floor coated with a fine powder that stirred when Airborne’s hooves trotted over it, causing it to swirl in the air.
Trotting outside of the factory, Airborne stretches his wings and says, “It’s a good day to fly, there isn’t a cloud anywhere in the sky and there doesn’t appear to be any bad weather on the horizon.” Soarin trots up next to him saying, “With no cloud cover we will be easier to spot, especially to anypony that wants to cause us harm” Starshine replies, “Well then we should hurry just as Calamity said and not linger around here any longer besides if we get attacked we can spot them just as easily as they can.” The group of ponies leaves the old factory behind as they soar into the sky and towards the direction of New Cloudsdale. As they approach New Cloudsdale, Soarin begins to fidget nervously. Both Spitfire and Airborne look at him with concern saying, “What’s wrong Soarin?” Soarin looks at them his green eyes darting around as he looks at the other ponies flying next to him saying, “It has been so long since I have seen Rainbow Dash. What if she doesn’t recognize me? Or doesn’t feel for me the same way she did before?” Airborne replies, “I wouldn’t worry about that Soarin, if she didn’t feel the same way about you why would she have bothered to give me the photograph of you and her before the War?” The clouds roll back and New Cloudsdale comes into view, the Wonderbolts look at the city in awe that something like this still exists within Equestria. Spitifire says, “It looks like Cloudsdale, but it doesn’t feel like Cloudsdale” Airborne replies, “We have done our best to give the Pegasi living here some sense of normalcy compared to the Wastelands below this place is paradise. We know we can never recover what was lost during the War but this is a good place to start to rebuild this shattered world one piece at a time.”
Airborne leads the Wonderbolts towards the New Academy named after them, as they approach he sees every cadet in neat ranks standing on the parade grounds. Each one with polished brass buttons and belt buckles, wearing their blue uniforms that make them look like an ocean in the sky. Landing amongst them, all of the cadets raise their right forehooves to their brows and salute as the Wonderbolts pass by them. At the far end of the ranks of ponies stands Rainbow Dash, her old armor polished brightly with the sunlight glinting off of it. Soarin gallops up to her and smiles saying, “It has been awhile huh Rainbow Dash?” Rainbow Dash nods and says, “It has been too long Soarin, you look good for being stuck in a freezer for two hundred years.” Soarin chuckles and replies, “Well, that’s one of the benefits of freezing yourself, you don’t gain any weight.” Rainbow Dash leans over and kisses Soarin on the cheek saying softly, “We will have time to discuss us later but I am glad to see you are still in one piece” Soarin blushes and replies, “And your still awesome after all this time” Rainbow Dash says, “Of course, what would you expect, awesome and Rainbow Dash go together rather well.” Airborne and his friends have their load of weapons removed from their saddle bags by several cadet ponies. Trotting up to Rainbow Dash, he says, “Well we are back and have brought you all the weapons and ammo we could carry from Stable 200.” Rainbow Dash thanks Airborne and trots over to Spitfire saying, “It has been awhile Commander, I hope we can count upon you for what is to come.” Spitfire salutes and replies, “You can count on us Rainbow Dash.”
Sitting inside of his home in New Cloudsdale, Airborne takes off his battle-saddle rolling his shoulders. Pulling out All Equestrian from his saddlebags, he places the weapon inside of gun locker and stores his battle-saddle away with it then puts both Gust and Thunder inside as well. Trotting into the kitchen he sees Starshine sitting at the table with a plate of daisy sandwiches. She looks at him saying, “About time you got home, where have you been?” Airborne sits down in the chair across from her saying, “I was meeting with Rainbow Dash in her office, finalizing the plans for the assault on Red Remnant’s headquarters in Coltpolis.” Starshine pushes her chair closer to his saying, “So, what’s the plan? Charge in through the front entrance with guns blazing?” Airborne sighs saying, “It’s going to be rough, from what Rainbow Dash told me the Red Remnants have fortified the entire city, so even when we attack we are going to lose a lot of ponies and I don’t know if I have the strength to get us through to the end safely.” Starshine nuzzles him and replies, “If there is anypony crazy enough to get us through to the end it is you Airborne after all you did survive when the Titan’s Hammer when it blew up.” Airborne gets up from his chair and trots away from her saying, “This is serious Starshine, this isn’t going to be like last time, these Red Remnant ponies aren’t pushovers like the Enclave was. They are going to kill a lot of ponies before we are done with them, if there is one thing I cannot stand its watching ponies die needlessly especially young ones like Baleout and Sunrise being torn to shreds.” Starshine trots to his side and says, “Well then we shall have to watch our backs and everypony else’s as well, we will get through this Airborne don’t you worry about it.” Airborne smiles and nuzzles her then trots out of the kitchen heading to bed.
The next morning Airborne heard a knock at his front door, trotting downstairs and pulling open the door to find both Soarin and Baleout standing there. Soarin replies, “Can we come in? I figured eating breakfast here was a lot better than eating in the Academy mess hall” Airborne blinks and yawns saying, “I guess, come on in.” Soarin trots in and says, “Nice place you got here, I definitely dig the old Wonderbolt poster, I had forgotten what those looked like after all these years.” Trotting into the kitchen Soarin sees Starshine cooking breakfast in a pink robe she looks at him and says, “What are you doing here?” as Airborne trots into the room she says, “So, I guess I am cooking breakfast for Soarin and Baleout” Airborne shrugs then starts to make himself some coffee. As Starshine puts down the first helping of pancakes, Soarin jabs a fork into the stack of steamy plate and transfers its contents to his own plate then slathers the hot cakes in maple syrup. As Starshine pulls out an apple pie out of the oven, Soarin’s green eyes widen at the crusty pie, drool dripping down the sides of his mouth. Starshine and Airborne both notice his fixated gaze at the apple pie; Soarin leans over and takes a big whiff of the pie saying, “Is this an apple pie?” Baleout, Airborne and Starshine all look at each other then at Soarin with Starshine saying, “I take it you like apple pie Soarin?” Soarin looks at them and replies, “Like? I love it!” Soarin pounces on the pie and smashes his head into the pie tin devouring the delicious pie, sending crusty bits of it all over the walls and onto Airborne, Baleout and Starshine who roll on the floor laughing. After breakfast, Soarin and Baleout walk around Airborne’s home while Starshine pulls out bits of apple pie out of her mane and tail upstairs.
Sitting in the living room of Airborne’s home, Soarin says, “Sorry about the mess in the kitchen Airborne, it has been forever since I have had a good apple pie.” Airborne leans back on the sofa saying, “Don’t worry about it, I am just glad someone appreciates Starshine’s cooking as much as I do” from upstairs Starshine yells, “I heard that Airborne!” Soarin chuckles and says, “So, Rainbow Dash told me you are related to Lightning Dust and Thunderlane is that true?” Airborne replies, “Yeah they were my great-grandparents, both of them died during the War. Did you know them?” Soarin shakes his head, “I think I met Lightning Dust once in Canterlot during the War, she was on leave from the front. She was eating at a restaurant in Canterlot with a charcoal grey Pegasus. I happened to bump into them as they left, unfortunately that was the only time I can recall meeting her, but I did hear stories of her actions on the battlefield, saving ponies lives even at the risk of her own so I am guessing she was pretty brave.” Airborne nods, “I guess she was, I wish I could have known her before she died, but I am not the only pony who lost someone during the War did you lose anypony Soarin?” Soarin looks at the old Wonderbolt poster saying, “I lost a lot of comrades during the War, my family was in Cloudsdale when the city was destroyed. It’s funny really after all this time I can barely remember their faces or the sound of their voices. Time seems to have erased them and the pain I felt after they died but somehow I feel they are still with me in some weird way.”
As Starshine comes downstairs about a dozen knocks are heard at the front door, opening it Fire Streak, Misty Fly, Fleetfoot and Spitfire tumble into the entryway. Looking at them she says, “What are you guys doing here?” Spitfire untangles herself from the pile of ponies and says, “We heard we can get a decent meal here” Starshine snorts saying, “And who told you that?” Fire Streak says, “Baleout told us you were an incredible cook and after both he and Soarin left the mess hall we tried the food there. Needlessly to say, Wonderbolt food hasn’t improved since we were gone. I think they even had some of our old rations stocked up in the freezer, so we decided we weren’t going to eat the nasty stuff and came here instead.” Starshine looks angrily over at Baleout who pins his ears back as he peers over the edge of the couch. Starshine shakes her mane and says, “Fine, I will cook us all lunch.” As Spitfire trots into the kitchen she notices the bits of apple pie stuck to the wall saying, “I see you have discovered Soarin’s apple pie thing” Airborne replies, “Yes, indeed. I didn’t know anypony who had such a love for apple pie.” As Soarin trots in Airborne and Spitfire look at him, he replies, “What? Apple pie is awesome!” After lunch, Soarin takes All Equestrian from Airborne’s gun locker and into the range inside of Airborne’s home saying, “Figured I would shoot the old girl one more time, besides it will give me a chance to improve my rusty skills.” Fire Streak and Fleetfoot watch a movie on Airborne’s private terminal screen in the living room while Misty Fly and Baleout sit reading through the books on the shelves in the small library in Airborne’s home.
Spitfire and Airborne go over some of the finer details of the plan to attack Coltpolis while Starshine listens to them talk. Airborne looks at a map of the layout of Coltpolis saying, “Most of the streets have been filled with rubble, making our way through them is going to be difficult. I imagine that the Red Remnant has also placed snipers into every building between the outskirts of the city and their headquarters so that will mean clearing every house before we can get to the city’s center.” Starshine gestures to the rough map of the city’s sewers saying, “Couldn’t we just use the sewers like we did in Mareston to bypass the snipers?” Spitfire replies, “We could but that would mean having to find our way through those endless passageways before we could get to the right building although we could place charges underneath some of the buildings to collapse them so the amount of snipers we face up at street level would be significantly reduced.” Airborne replies, “Well that would give the ponies on the ground some advantage while we take out any of the guards on the rooftops” Starshine replies, “Just how many ponies are inside of Coltpolis anyways?” Spitfire pulls out a sheet of paper from her saddlebag and places it on the countertop saying, “From what Intel we have gathered between Rainbow Dash’s and Fluttershy’s scout reports we are looking at a force between nine hundred to fifteen hundred ponies. It’s going to be a lot of bloodshed once we step a hoof inside of there, all these narrow streets and buildings provide ample places to hide so we will have to watch our flanks when we go in there” Airborne says, “Agreed but I am sure we will have enough ponies and griffins on our side to even things out.”
Airborne and company leave his home and head towards the Academy, when they arrive the place is in a flurry of activity. Various Pegasi preparing for battle by loading their battle-saddles or finding their respective squads at the center of all of the activity stands Rainbow Dash directing the ponies. Spitfire trots over to Rainbow Dash and discusses with her the revised plan of attack, while they wait for Rainbow Dash to give the signal to move out Airborne is approached by several recruits standing in brand new armor, he notices that most of them look unsure of how to use their battle-saddles. One of the recruits, a pony named Cloudbucker looks at Airborne saying, “Sir, what do you think our chances are of getting into Coltpolis in once piece?” Airborne replies, “Don’t worry, we will all make it out in one piece just watch your crosshairs and don’t take any chances.”
Rainbow Dash gets onto a podium and says, “Can I have everypony’s attention! Now look I know for most of you this will be your first time in combat and that you are plenty nervous about it, heck who wouldn’t be right? But I am telling you now that you have no reason to be nervous; we are all going to watch each other’s backs when we enter Coltpolis and I promise you that we will all come back alive. So let’s show Equestria what we Pegasi are made of, move out!” Rank after rank of Pegasi leap over the exit drop off down into the skies of Equestria, as Airborne prepares to leave he sees Soarin walk up to Rainbow Dash saying, “Before we go, its time I fulfilled my promise to you” kneeling before her he present her with a ring with her cutie mark carved into it saying, “I know this should have happened a long time ago and I regret never asking you to marry me sooner had I known it would be the end of the world but I figured if we both die down there that at least we could die together as husband and wife, so will you honor me Rainbow Dash by becoming my bride?” Rainbow Dash looks at him speechless then replies, “Of course Soarin, I was hoping you remembered your promise to me after all these years.” Soarin slips the ring onto Rainbow Dash’s armored barding and she kisses him saying, “Now then let’s make sure we both come back from this alive so we can have a really awesome party.” She kisses Soarin and they both leap off the edge together and into the great blue skies of Equestria below with Airborne following close behind them.
Arriving below in the dusty wastes of Equestria, Fluttershy watches the stream of brightly polished Pegasi make their way towards her compound. At the head of the many formations flies Rainbow Dash and Soarin, descending the many Pegasi ponies land inside of the courtyard. Soarin notices a large griffin standing at Fluttershy’s side with a massive multi-barreled chaingun strapped to her back. Trotting up to the griffin he says, “That’s a pretty impressive gun you got there, my name is Soarin and I am glad you are on our side” he holds out his hoof to the griffin who shakes it saying, “My name is Hawkbeak, you must be Soarin of the Wonderbolts that I have heard so much about. Hopefully having you and your team on our side will put the fear of Celestia into those Red Remnant foals.” Rainbow Dash trots over and hugs Fluttershy saying, “So, you going to partake in the action today Fluttershy?” Fluttershy shakes her head no saying, “As much as I want these Red Remnant bullies dealt with I cannot raise a gun to kill them but I will be with you in spirit instead.” Hawkbeak sees Airborne saying, “Good to see you Skysplinter, how are you?” Airborne raises an eyebrow saying, “Skysplinter? Where did that name come from?” Hawkbeak waves a claw at her men saying, “That’s the name they gave you after the explosion from that massive ship you destroyed split the sky, so I decided it was a fitting name and you are now known as Skysplinter to everypony we come across out here.”
Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, The Wonderbolts, Hawkbeak, Airborne and his friends discuss what the final plan of the assault on Coltpolis will be. Looking at a large map of the city laid out on a table inside of Fluttershy’s home Spitfire says, “Alright so we are all agreed on the final plan?” everyone nods with Rainbow Dash saying, “So, I will lead the team one from and approach the city from the west while Spitfire and the Wonderbolts approach from the south. Our job is to clear the rooftops and keep the Red Remnant snipers focused on us while Airborne and his team infiltrate the sewers to plant the charges, after they detonate Halfhoof will lead Fluttershy’s forces in a ground assault on the city while Hawkbeak and her Talons swarm the skies with reinforcements.” Airborne looks around the table for Halfhoof and spots the pony standing in the corner of the room, the pony’s right forehoof from the knee down is missing and has been replaced with a cybernetic leg. His body is covered in heavily scarred armor and he wields two shotguns painted with the words Fire and Death onto the barrels. Fluttershy looks at all of her friends saying, “Let’s hope the Goddessess are with us and keep us safe.” As the rest of the ponies leave the room Airborne stays looking at the map of Coltpolis trying to remember every street and building. Behind him Starshine stands, turning to see her he says, “What’s up?” she replies, “Airborne after all of this is over I was wondering if you…” she stops in mid- sentence and her face blushes deeply. He raises an eyebrow and says, “After all this is over Starshine I promise I will marry you if that is what you are asking.” She nods her head still blushing saying, “Thanks Airborne, now let’s get this done.” The both of them trot out together and join the other ponies for the assault on the ruins of Coltpolis.
Author's Note
Part four of Fallout Equestria: M.I.A. Enjoy and don't forget to leave a comment and give a thumbs up!
Fallout copyrighted to Bethesda Softworks
My Little Pony Friendship is Magic copyrighted to Hasbro Inc.
Fallout Equestria and its characters are copyrighted to Kkat.
All other characters are copyrighted to me.
Fallout Equestria: M.I.A.
Part Five: Coltpolis
Approaching the city of Coltpolis was like approaching any other ruin in Equestria, it carried an inherit risk whenever a pony decided to step a hoof inside of the abandoned streets of Equestria’s once great cities. Death could come in any form from a paranoid scavenger poking amongst the rubble for some long forgotten valuable to taking a wrong step and falling through a hole in the floor to your death. Airborne had learned that in order to survive in the Wasteland, that it was dangerous to step a hoof inside of any of Equestria’s ruined cities for certain death would follow but this time had to be the exception to that rule. Not that the idea sat well with him, in fact it was downright insane to think that they would be attacking such a horrid place to begin with, his tail twitched nervously at the thought of what they would find inside of Coltpolis. But out of all of the ruined cities from Manehattan to Baltimare, Airborne knew little about Coltpolis in fact most of the ponies he met in his travels knew anything about it.
The city was like a ghost, rising from the radioactive mists as a collection of twisted towers that loomed in the distance then as quickly as they would appear; the ghost city would sink back into the horizon and be lost again. On occasion while sitting around a campfire with some trader ponies, somepony would share the sad fate of the city of Coltpolis. Before the War, the proud city had been a place of art and commerce, the streets were lively in the day and even more so at night. But when Equestria called for arms, Coltpolis answered. The city furnished Equestria’s armies with some of the finest doctors anywhere, but the War took its toll on the city. Numerous monuments were built around the city dedicated to the victories and losses of the War, so many monuments crowded every avenue and park that the city became known as the Monument City. Then when the death of Equestria came, Coltpolis was destroyed its streets burned with rivers of fire, the smoke choked the life out of Coltpolis’s ponies as the flames of their funeral pyres burned so brightly that the fire could be seen for miles around afterwards, all that remained of their bones were mountains of grey ash that blocked the streets. Then the city was left in deathly stillness where only the wind was brave enough to blow through the once glorious city of Coltpolis.
Flying high over Equestria, Airborne could see the ruins of Coltpolis in the distance, sticking up on the horizon like jagged teeth. Baleout looking at Airborne says, “Doesn’t exactly look like one of the friendliest of places now does it?” Airborne replies, “Yeah, it isn’t a place I would pick for my next vacation.” Landing outside of the city limits Airborne waits until he hears the telltale sounds of battle coming from west of the city. With Spitfire and the Wonderbolts keeping the Red Remnant busy, Airborne gestures to his team to follow him. Approaching the city, the sound of gunfire grew louder; passing by the broken bodies of Red Remnant ponies it was clear to Airborne that the Wonderbolts were cutting them to pieces with their accurate and precise gunfire. All those years locked in the frozen basement of Stable 200 had done little to hurt their skills which were honed to deadly effect during the War.
Soarin swoops over the many rooftops of Coltpolis, picking off Red Remnant ponies was too easy for him like swatting flies with his tail. Looking at Spitfire he sees her firing her battle-saddle, blazing away at the ponies below them like a fiery angel of death. Soarin laughs saying, "I can't believe these guys are a threat. They are too easy to kill, is amazing that they have been this successful." Behind him Fleetfoot replies, "I know, the zebra's during the War put up more of a fight then these fools. But maybe the only reason they have been this successful is that they have had more firepower until know. But they have never met the Wonderbolts before so let’s show them how a real pony kicks some tail!" Fleetfoot angles her wings and goes into a nose dive strafing the nearest rooftop quickly clearing it of any hostiles. Fire Streak goes into a tailspin twirling his shots across the roof of a large building that was once a factory, laughing as his shots paint the roof red. The Red Remnant ponies set their sights on the Wonderbolts, pouring massive volumes of fire into them but the Wonderbolts dodge their gunfire with ease. Dancing across the sky above them making the ponies below feel like fools. One of the Red Remnant ponies mounted a large anti-aircraft gun, swiveling the large barrels up towards the Wonderbolts, then fired at them. Big black clouds exploded next to Soarin who barely missed getting torn in half by the shots from the large gun.
Misty Fly flies high into a cloud bank and swoops down out of the clouds aiming her battle-saddle directly at the pony on the anti-aircraft gun peppering the large weapon with gunfire. The pony sitting in the gunner’s seat slumps and falls down dead onto the roof, the ancient gun falls silent as the Wonderbolt’s quickly take care of his comrades. Fire Streak says, “You know this would be a good time to break out the Tornado formation. We haven’t done it in a long time and this place is perfect for breaking out the move.” Spitfire nods and says, “Alright let’s do it.” Spitfire, Soarin, Misty Fly, Fleefoot, and Fire Streak form into a column like formation then rotate around each other firing away at anypony they spot on the rooftops. Their accurate gunfire cuts down many ponies in hail of gunfire that rains downs on the Red Remnant ponies. Some are lucky to duck behind cover as the lead rain pours down onto their position, anypony that steps out of cover to return fire takes their life in their hooves as some find out the hard way. Breaking the formation the Wonderbolts split into five directions across the city, picking off the Red Remnant soldiers as they go, carving a bloody swath on the rooftops of the city of Coltpolis. Parts of the cities defenses fall silent as the Wonderbolts pass over them, killing anypony within their sights. Soarin scans the rooftops for any more targets and says, "I think we got them all, let's find Airborne and continue the mission."
Below the Wonderbolts, the streets of Coltpolis were wide and covered in a fine layer of ash that stirred when Airborne trotted over it. The sickly swirling clouds of grey ash filled his lungs and irritated his eyes, placing his filtration mask on did little to stop the thoughts that he was breathing in the remains of long dead ponies. All of the buildings were burnt and covered in profane graffiti; most of the buildings were intact with the exception of a few that had burned from the inside out. Finding the sewer cover they needed, Airborne pulls back the lid exposing the dark and smelly underworld of Coltpolis. Carefully climbing down the aged and rusted ladder, Airborne’s hooves land on something with a resounding crack that echoes through the sewer tunnels, looking down he screams and jumps back in terror. The exposed light from the ash covered streets above reveal a large pile of bones from the ponies who had sought shelter in the sewers of Coltpolis as their city burned above them. Baleout says, “That’s really screwed up; remind me to not tell anypony about this.” Trotting down into the tunnel Airborne looks at Sunrise and orders her to close the sewer cover then orders Baleout to take point. Sunrise carefully steps over the piles of bones trying not to disturb the final resting places of the ponies of Coltpolis.
The tunnels seemed to stretch on forever, Airborne turns to Sunrise and says, “Are you sure we are heading the right way?” Sunrise stops and lifts her foreleg to her face looking at her Pipbuck then replies, “Yeah, we are. I made sure to download the maps of the sewers from Fluttershy’s compound. She had her scouts take detailed maps of the layout of the city both above and below the ground. It’s lucky that the Red Remnant didn’t catch onto what the scouts were doing otherwise I guess they would have made it a lot harder for us.” Airborne cautiously eyes the tunnel and says, “Are we close to where we need to lay the charges?” Sunrise nods and looks at her Pipbuck again replying, “Yeah this is it.” Sunrise pulls out a satchel charge from her pack and places it on the floor of the sewer tunnel. Baleout and Airborne trot down the passageway lining the walls with the explosives, as Airborne places the last charge he calls over to Sunrise saying, “Alright everything is set. Let’s get out of here” Galloping towards the ladder to the surface, quickly ascending the ladder to street level there is a low rumbling noise. The ground beneath Airborne’s hooves start to shake, a low rumbling the echoed through the ground, the charges they had set had begun to explode crushing the destroyed streets of Coltpolis into the bone filled underworld of the sewers. Airborne looks at Baleout, Sunrise and Starshine saying, “Let’s get moving!,” flying high into the air Airborne looks down as block after block of the ruined city collapses leaving a massive cloud of dust ballooning upwards into the air towards them. Quickly pulling on his filtration mask, Airborne braces himself against the torrent of hot air and swirling dust that quickly envelopes the group of Pegasi.
The roar of the rushing wind beats against Airborne’s ears, trying to steady himself in the tempest he calls out, “Let’s fly higher, get above this debris storm!” Flying higher out of the dusty debris, Airborne warms his feathers in the sunlight and smiles seeing Starshine by his side, she says, “I am glad those explosives we brought did the trick, two hundred year old tech can be finicky at times.” They watch as block after block of the ruins of Coltpolis sink into the ground, among the crashing of bricks and metal the panicked whinnies of many of the Red Remnant ponies can be heard cutting through the dusty air.
Soarin swoops down over to Airborne saying, “Good job! Now we can begin the next phase of the attack.” Airborne nods and says, “Lets land so we can meet up with Halfhoof and begin the assault.” Landing on the ground near a pile of rubble, Airborne looks around for Halfhoof, who emerges from behind the partially collapse wall of an old drugstore. Halfhoof looks at Airborne saying, “Good job with those satchel charges, this debris will give us plenty of cover as we go deeper into the city and hopefully it caused the Red Remnant forces to be thrown into chaos giving us the momentum needed to press the attack.” Spitfire and the rest of the Wonderbolts land behind Soarin with Fleetfoot leaning against Misty Fly as Fire Streak wraps a bandage around her hind leg. Baleout looks at her and asks, “What happened?” she replies, “It’s nothing, just one of those Red Remnant snipers grazed me is all. I was too fast for the rest of them so I doubt they saw me coming but this one sniper was lucky and managed to get a shot off before I got him.” Halfhoof limps over to Airborne saying, “I will have my troops move in to the city while you guys fly above and draw their fire, hopefully we can overtake their outer defenses quickly without taking too many casualties otherwise this whole plan will fail.” Airborne nods and says, “Just make sure to move quickly, we can’t afford to get bogged down in any major firefights here.” Airborne checks his gear and helps Soarin reload his battle-saddle while Spitfire talks to Halfhoof about the layout of the city below them marking locations on a map of major Red Remnant troop presence.
After making sure their battle-saddles are loaded and ready to go Spitfire flaps her wings and soars like a yellow bullet into the air. Starshine looks as the Wonderbolts fly into formation saying, “I wonder what they would have done if the War hadn’t happened?” Baleout replies, “They probably would have continued to be the best fliers in Equestria, performing stunts for entertainment for anypony who wanted to see them or at least that’s what I learned at the Academy anyway.” Airborne followed after Spitfire with Starshine, Sunrise and Baleout following close behind him. As they fly farther over the city, gunshots start to ring out. Airborne flaps his wings harder trying to avoid the whizzing bullets that snap and hiss like angry hellhounds, a bullet sheers the hair off his tail like a razor blade. Baleout flies underneath Sunrise training the barrels of his battle-saddle at the nearest ponies on the roof of an abandoned radio station. Firing he sees the spurts of blood as his bullets smack into them, silencing the gunfire from the station. The firing intensifies the farther they fly over the city, Baleout flies below Sunrise and provides cover fire as she reloads her battle-saddle. Starshine yells at Airborne saying, “We have to land! This gunfire is too intense to continue!” Airborne looks down and spots a building with the no roof but thick walls to protect against small arms fire. Nose diving through the gunfire, sparks fly off of his armored barding as bullets sheer by leaving gouges in the armored plating.
Landing inside of the building, Airborne pulls out All Equestrian from his battle-saddle and aims it at the nearest approaching Red Remnant soldier. Firing two bursts from the gun he quickly downs the pony. Baleout, Sunrise and Starshine land next to Airborne and take up positions within the building, shooting any ponies that come near. Sunrise says, “What’s the plan?” Airborne replies, “Halfhoof’s forces should already be inside of the city, all we have to do is hunker down and wait for them to reach us. Until they do only shoot targets you are sure you can hit to conserve ammo.” Starshine ducks as burst of gunfire erupts from a pile of rubble twenty feet in front of the building. Waiting for the firing to stop and for the ponies to reload she pops up firing in the direction of the rubble silencing the Red Remnant troops, as she finishes firing at the ponies behind the pile she hears the rustle of wings swinging around she trains her battle-saddle at a group of rapidly approaching Pegasi. Baleout’s ears perk up and he looks skyward saying, “The Wonderbolt’s have caught up with us. Now we will get to see some real action!” Spitfire lands limping, her right forehoof is bleeding from a gash across her knee joint. She says, “It’s really bad up there, I just about had my hoof ripped off by a piece of flak lucky it only grazed me. So, what’s the situation here?” Airborne replies, “We decided to land here, flying any further over the city is suicide, we figured that we would hold this position and allow Halfhoof’s forces time to catch up with us for the final push into the city.” Spitfire nods then pulls out a medkit from her utility barding and takes care of her wound.
The fighting around the building intensified as night approached, tracer fire whizzing up and down the avenues of Coltpolis like maddened fireflies. Looking up at the darkening skies, Airborne says, “We probably have a few hours of daylight left, seeing anypony in the dark is going to be hard.” Airborne turns to Sunrise saying, “Do you still have those flares?” She quickly digs out a small bundle of flares out of her utility barding and says, “Yeah, I still have them. We can use them to illuminate any noise we hear just in case somepony tries to sneak up on us in the middle of the night.” Baleout looks at her saying, “I would like to see those cowards try to sneak up on us. Nopony gets the drop on Baleout Stormcloud.” Two flashes ring out close to the building, followed by a sickening popping noise. Baleout looks down at his abdomen, his sky blue eyes widening in terror, sinking to his knees saying, “Lucky hit” then he falls flat onto his face. Airborne angrily trains All Equestrian on two Red Remnant ponies and fires spattering their brains all over the place. Soarin and Sunrise turn Baleout over onto his back, Soarin placing pressure on the wound with his forehooves as Sunrise pulls out her medkit fumbling through the rolls of gauze and cotton bandage padding. Baleout looks at them saying, “I am good, just had the wind knocked out of me is all.” Baleout tries to get up but is held down by Soarin and Airborne, Spitfire says, “Easy son, no need to overdo it.” Baleout says, “Come on guys it can’t be that bad, let me up.” He tries to rise again but Spitfire places her forehooves on his chest saying, “There is no need for you to further hurt yourself” Baleout stares into the face of the captain of the Wonderbolts and leans back down saying, “I feel fine, there is no pain.” Baleout’s eyes close and his head slumps into the crook of Sunrise’s leg.
Tentatively she checks his pulse, feeling the young heart within hammering hard against her touch she says, “He seems fine, but these wounds are serious.” Looking at the bandages wrapped around Baleout’s abdomen, two scarlet stains already soaking through the pads she says, “If we don’t get Baleout some proper medical care soon this is going to get a lot worse.” Soarin looks at the wounds saying, “Those bastards are using armor piercing rounds, there is no way they should have been able to even dent his armor. We need to be careful that no more of us get hit tonight otherwise we won’t last till morning. Until Halfhoof links up with us, we will have to take turns watching over Baleout.” Sunrise shakes her head saying, “I will watch over him, will you guys stand guard. After all he is my best friend and he is the only family I got left.” Throughout the night Airborne and the Wonderbolts stand guard over the ruined building, occasionally trading gunfire with groups of Red Remnant ponies that creep up to their position and quickly retreat in haste as they are cut to pieces by the Wonderbolts excellent aim.
Baleout’s heartbeat gets weaker as his eyes become sunken into his head, looking up at Sunrise he says, “I am sorry for get myself hurt like this. I made a stupid mistake and now look where it’s got me.” She smiles looking down at him saying, “Don’t worry you will be fine.” Baleout grins weakly, his teeth tinged red with blood. Towards dawn Baleout awakens starring at Airborne saying, “Sorry for all of this.” Airborne replies, “Don’t worry about it, you will be fine.” Baleout then looks at the Wonderbolts saying, “I am glad to have met you all. It has been my dream since I was a colt to meet the Wonderbolts and serve alongside you. Thanks for being my friends everypo…ny…” Baleout’s chin sinks onto his chest and his breathing becomes labored. Sunrise presses down repeatedly on his chest, feeling his pulse slipping away beneath her hooves. She says, “Don’t you do this to me Baleout! Don’t you stop fighting!” Airborne elevates Baleout’s hind hooves saying, “He must be bleeding inside, we need to get him out of here now!” Baleout’s eyes suddenly open and he stares up at the orange sky as the Sun barely breaks through the thin grey layer of clouds above saying, “I don’t want to die.” His eyes become unfocused as he looks at the Wonderbolts the light and life slowly dimming leaving them empty, blood gurgling out of his mouth as Sunrise in a panicked frenzy continues to try to resuscitate him feeling the young heart dying inside his chest, the last few beats flicker like the beating of a hummingbirds wings then cease as Baleout spirit takes its leave from its damaged body.
Airborne grabs ahold of Sunrise who continues to work on Baleout saying, “You can’t help him anymore Sunrise, he is gone.” She looks at him saying, “No, he isn’t! Baleout wouldn’t let something as stupid as a gunshot kill him, he is stronger than that!” She shoves Airborne away from her and goes back to working on Baleout’s lifeless body. Soarin grabs her and pulls her into a hug saying, “I know this is hard, but there is nothing more you can do for him Sunrise. You did everything you could to help him and make him comfortable but there are something’s you can’t fix with what you have in your utility barding.” Sunrise’s tears soak into Soarin’s coat; he looks at Baleout’s body then at Spitfire who shakes her head. Airborne closes Baleout’s eyes and wipes the blood away from his mouth.
Sunrise continues to sob over the body as massive explosion rocks the building blowing a hole in one of the walls showering the ponies with debris. Sunrise shields Baleout’s body from the blast, large chucks of cement hit her in the head causing a small wound to bleed from her forehead. As the dust settles a number of Red Remnant ponies rush in through the hole but are shot by Airborne and Fire Streak. Starshine says, “We need to move, this place is attracting too much attention if we stay here we are going to die.” Airborne looks at Baleout’s body saying, “We can’t leave him here.” Misty Fly notices more Red Remnant ponies surrounding the building, one of them yells out in a gruff voice saying, “Surrender, we have you outgunned. If you give up we will guarantee you won’t be harmed.” Starshine looks at Airborne saying, “Don’t you even think about it.” Airborne looks out a shattered window and sees three rows of Red Remnant ponies standing outside, he thinks, “There are too many of them for us to fight. Maybe surrendering would be the best choice in this situation. I wonder how Lightning Dust would react to a situation like this.” Airborne looks at Spitfire who says, “Maybe we could fight our way out of here?” Starshine quickly replies, “Did you lose your sanity while being frozen for two hundred years? As soon as we try to leave here they will kill us all, there are too many of them to fight. It’s probably the fact that they want us alive in the first place that has kept them from killing us all.” The leader yells again, “This is your last chance, give up or die.” Spitfire says, “I can take Misty Fly and Fire Streak with me to find out where Halfhoof’s forces are then return for you while you guys hold this location until we get back. Also we can get Baleout’s body out of here so they don’t claim it.” Sunrise looks at her then at Baleout’s body saying, “Please be careful with him.” Fire Streak and Misty Fly gently lift Baleout’s limp body off of the ground placing it over Fire Streak’s back.
Airborne watches as Spitfire, Misty Fly and Fire Streak soar out of sight as the Red Remnant ponies open fire in an attempt to stop them. Airborne turns and steadies All Equestrian with the hoofgrip and leans into the butt of the weapon. Switch the gun from semi auto bursts to full auto. Bracing himself he slowly squeezes the tripper and compensates for the recoil as the gun quickly fires into the formation of Red Remnant ponies that duck for cover from the gunfire. Airborne empties one magazine and slaps in another, a bullet clips the brim of his hat sending it flying off of his head. He yells, “That was my favorite hat!” he fires angrily at the ponies then ducks below the window taking cover as gunfire rips into the cement walls tearing large holes in the structure showing the aged metal rebar beneath. Airborne pins his ears back and winces looking at one of his wings. A bullet had shattered the bones and bent his wing at an odd angle, blood pools around Airborne as feathers float through the gory puddle. Soarin rushes to Airborne’s side saying, “Are you alright?” Airborne nods saying, “I think so, it will take more than a broken wing to put me out of action.” Soarin has Sunrise wrap Airborne’s hurt wing in bandages while he covers them. As the firefight goes on their ammunition supplies begin to dwindle. Airborne slings All Equestrian drawing out Thunder and Gust from their holsters. He fires the duel pistols at any targets he can spot; all of a sudden he is knocked backwards through the air as the wall in front of him explodes. He lands painfully on his back and as he rises a gun is pointed into his face, looking up he sees a male pony with an x shaped scar across his face grinning down at him. From behind this pony trots up Halfhoof who says, “It’s over Airborne, you have lost.” Soarin angrily turns his gun on Halfhoof before he is clubbed over the head with the butt of a rifle; Soarin crumples to the ground unconscious. Sunrise rushes to Soarin’s side and checks on him, Airborne asks, “Why did you betray us?” Halfhoof replies, “I lost my faith in Fluttershy and the world she was trying to build after my wife died during the Battle of New Cloudsdale. There was no place for me in a world where she didn’t exist, so I betrayed her. I helped the Red Remnants in any way I could. I gave them information on Fluttershy’s latest plans and even handed them the plans on the assault on Coltpolis myself. This attack was doomed from the start, and to be honest I am surprised you and your friends have lasted this long but I guess I can’t be surprised given you are the pony responsible for destroying the Titan’s Hammer.”
Airborne’s eyes narrow and he says, “Tell me what world you would you create by helping the Red Remnant? What would your wife think of you if she could see you now?” Halfhoof punches Airborne in the face; falling backwards Halfhoof grabs him and punches him repeatedly. He says, “My wife would have understood that Fluttershy’s vision for the future was an impossible one. You cannot change the world after it has been so screwed up for so long; the Red Remnant understands this better than anypony. They know that in order to survive out here the weak must die and the strong must survive. That is the world we live in Airborne, nopony not even Fluttershy or Rainbow Dash can unmake the world they helped destroy.” Sunrise replies, “We can change the world only if we believe it can change, there are enough ponies out there that don’t prey upon each other. They believe that the world can heal after being torn apart for so long, it’s true that Equestria has changed since the War and not for the better but giving up isn’t an option for me or one that anypony should accept. Strive to be better Halfhoof, isn’t that what your wife would want? She would be ashamed to see her husband embracing a path to destroy the world she gave her life for.” Halfhoof stops punching Airborne and says, “That is easy for you to say Sunrise but when you have lost someone you have loved for so long when they die your soul dies with them.”
One of the Red Remnant ponies trots over to Halfhoof saying, “Sir, we need to get them to headquarters as soon as possible to be interrogated, we cannot afford for their friends to arrive before we have a chance to spring our trap” Halhoof nods and says, “Alright, get them tied up and brought back to headquarters. I will stay and ready our defenses to meet our guests when they arrive.” Airborne’s hooves are placed in heavy chains as he is stripped of his battle-saddle and weapons. Sunrise is chained to him as Soarin’s unconscious form is placed on a stretcher. Airborne is lead away in chains, walking through a large crowd of ponies outside that pelt him with rocks and garbage calling him names like “feather brain.” Walking towards a large building looming over a destroyed square with a fountain of a large alicorn that is covered in graffiti, squinting to read the plaque on the fountain the only words he manages to make out is the name of Equestria’s former ruler Princess Celestia. He gazes up at the ancient effigy of one of Equestria’s greatest rulers and says, “I never thought I would see what the Goddesses looked like in my lifetime. I would give anything to have met them before the War” One of the Red Remnant guards says, “If you don’t shut up you might meet them sooner than you think, so keep moving.” Airborne looks up at the building in front of him, the lettering Ministry of Awesome Coltpolis Division still cling to the ancient walls. Airborne notices a large number of large guns lining the roof of the building, every window has been covered in thick metal plating and sandbags. Every gun swivels in his direction as the small group of escort guard ponies approach the building.
A voice rings calls out, “Who goes there?” one of the guards replies, “Who do you think? Let us in we have some prisoners the boss would like to see.” The large metal doors to the ministry building swing open revealing a dark and dimly lit interior. Walking up the fragmented steps of the building Airborne feels like he is entering the Gates of Tartarus. As the doors slam behind him, he understands that this is a place that was deliberately designed to keep whoever entered here from escaping with whatever the Ministry of Awesome was doing here. Gulping nervously he pushed along further into the bowels of the decrepit building to meet with the leader of the Red Remnant, a pony he was sure was just as vicious as his followers, and wouldn’t hesitate to slit his throat should he have no need of him. The darkness of the place pressed in on Airborne as he was lead towards a pony that would see Equestria return to the vile and desolate place it was before Littlepip’s sacrifice.
Author's Note
Part Five of Fallout Equestria: M.I.A. enjoy and don't forget to give it a thumbs up and leave a comment!!!
My Little Pony Friendship is Magic copyrighted to Hasbro Inc.
Fallout Equestria copyrighted to Kkat.
All other characters are copyrighted to me.
Fallout Equestria: M.I.A.
Part Six: Revelation Within
Part Six: Revelation Within
It surprised Airborne that the old Ministry building had managed to stay intact for all these years considering it had taken a direct hit from a balefire bomb. Among the cobwebs and years of accumulated debris were the flash burns of the ponies that had been caught inside when the city of Coltpolis died. On the walls eerie burns marked the outlines of what the ponies of Coltpolis had spent their final hours doing, here a pony sitting at a desk while another refilled an old Sparkle-Cola vending machine that had long rusted away. The guard pony ahead lead them through an all too familiar door that Airborne had seen across Equestria, it wasn’t surprising that a Stable had been built under the Ministry building. Trotting across the threshold revealed that most of the Pre-war fittings had been stripped for whatever tech they possessed. Above them a ghastly green glow gleamed out of the dust covered windows of the Overmare’s office, looking around Airborne noticed the faded outline that designated the Stable as number 19.
Trotting into the Overmare’s office, behind the desk sat a pony shrouded in shadow. A rustic voice spoke, “So, you are the legendary Skysplinter I have heard so much about. When I heard that somepony had survived the detonation of a balefire bomb I expected them to be so much more but now I can see you are just a foal barely out of his training barding.” Airborne replies, “You certainly know me but I have no idea who you are?” The pony leans forward out of the darkness and rest his hooves into the green light bathing the room, the pony has a light yellow coat, his mane and tail are caramel colored, and on his flanks is a large red apple. Across his face is a large puckered scar that cuts diagonally across his muzzle, the pony’s green eyes gaze at Airborne intently saying, “My name is Deathhoof, loyal disciple to Red Eye.”
Airborne stares at the pony and something in his memory clicks, he had seen this ponies face before in an old Ironshod factory, his face beaming out of an old photograph from before the War. The red apple cutie mark brought the ponies name to mind, his eyes widening he says, “Braeburn?” the pony leans back saying, “This body did belong to a pony from long ago who did bear that name but no longer does he reside inside of it.” Airborne says, “What happened to him?” Deathhoof replies, “After that bitch Littlepip’s corrupting influence destroyed Red Eye’s beautiful vision for Equestria. I was wounded during the fighting, my body was dying. I could feel the coldness of death creeping into my heart; I was brought here by a few survivors of Red Eye’s army. My old body was beyond healing; inside of this Stable I found a new one. We found my new body inside of life support pod, his brain had been removed to operate the Stable’s day to day activities. It was perfect; since he no longer needed his body my brain was removed from my old one and placed into this body. I could carry out my mission to rebuild Red Eye’s vision of Equestria by wearing the face of a pony who was related to one of the Ministry Mares. It was as if the Goddesses themselves had divined this discovery for me.” Trotting over to a large tank that is casting a green glow over the room Deathhoof wipes away the dust revealing a disembodied brain floating inside.
Starshine replies, “What do you want with us?” Deathhoof looks at her saying, “That’s simple I want you to die but before you do I am going to extract whatever information you have on Fluttershy and her followers if you resist I have become most adapt at torturing ponies and breaking through even the strongest wills.” Soarin replies, “Yeah right, I doubt somepony piss ant like you could even scratch me.” Deathhoof grins saying, “I have heard that Airborne found the Wonderbolts, I had hoped that we would capture all of you. I will take my time and enjoy extracting every bit of information from you. After all its not every day that you get to torture one of Equestria’s foremost hero’s from the Pre-War era isn’t that right Soarin of the Wonderbolts?” Soarin replies, “How do you know my name?” Deathhoof replies, “I know many things about you Soarin and your comrades. I have my spies in many places throughout Equestria including New Cloudsdale, so don’t think for one second that I can’t break you because you will find out that I am quite capable of breaking even the mind of somepony as esteemed as you Soarin.”
Deathhoof’s eyes dart over to Sunrise and he says, “I had heard we killed one of you before you were brought here, a Pegasi by the name of Baleout. Am I correct Sunrise?” Sunrise tries to lunge at Deathhoof and is restrained by two of his guards, she says, “Don’t you dare speak his name you vile thing.” Deathhoof trots over to her and says, “Pity that he didn’t survive. The young and overly confident are the most easiest to break, I would have enjoyed watching you squirm as I broke him into what he really was a jabbering gutless idiot.” Sunrise spits into Deathhoof’s face and he says, “But you will have to do instead.” The guards drag Airborne and his friends out of the Overmare’s office leaving Deathhoof staring at the tank that holds the brain of Braeburn. Airborne is placed into a makeshift cell inside of what was once the Pipbuck repair technician’s office; the guards drag off Starshine down the hall after a few moments her screams echo through the Stable. Airborne cries out, “Starshine!” Her screams continue to until they fade away, after a few minutes the guards drag Starshines limp body into the cell.
Airborne waits in until the guards leave then he trots over to Starshine. Her hooves are covered in shallow wounds that ooze blood; Airborne gently picks her up and places her on the cot in the corner of the cell. Tearing the bed sheet into strips he wraps them around Starshine’s hooves. She weakly opens one eye and says, “Thank you Airborne” he replies, “For all the times you have patched me up I think it is time I returned the favor.” Starshine closes her eyes and falls asleep.
A few hours later the guards drag off Sunrise and Soarin looks at Starshine who is still asleep saying, “She’s in rough shape, what the hell did they do to her?” Airborne looks at him saying, “I don’t know but we need to find a way to get out of here before we find out” Sunrise screams of terror echo through the cell block. Soarin pins back his ears saying, “This is messed up, why would they torture her just to make her scream if she could tell them something?” Airborne shrugs saying, “There are somepony’s who just like to cause others pain because that is how they get their kicks.”
Soarin snorts as Sunrise screams again turning to Airborne he asks, “Any ideas on how to get us out of this death trap?” Airborne nods saying, “Yeah, remember when Deathhoof said that Braeburn’s brain is in charge of the Stables systems. If we can get into contact with him we can have him activate the defense systems within the Stable and take out as many of these Red Remnant bastards as we can and make our escape.” Soarin raise an eyebrow saying, “How do we get into contact with a two-hundred year brain that runs this place and what makes you think he is still cognizant to help us?” Airborne replies, “They must still need him to run a few systems like the lighting and environmental controls otherwise this place wouldn’t be livable.” The guards drag Sunrise and as they open the door to the cell Soarin rushes at them and bucks both of the guards hard in the face with his hind hooves. The guards collapse to the floor unconscious, Sunrise staggers to her feet and winces. She trots over to one of the guards and kicks him hard in the groin. Sunrise grabs a key ring off of one of the guard’s belts and unlocks Airborne’s cells. He says, “Thanks Sunrise, I hope you aren’t hurt too bad” she replies, “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Soarin grabs one of the guard’s weapons from a holster on his belt saying; “Sunrise is there any way you can use you Pipbuck to connect with the Stable’s computer systems?” she nods saying, “Yeah, it would be a synch.” She taps her forehoof on the Pipbuck’s keypad and is able to connect with the Stable’s computer. Over the Pipbuck a weak country voice much like Deathhoof says, “What do y’all want this time? Can’t a guy get break?” Airborne replies, “Braeburn is that you?” the voice says, “Who wants to know? I don’t recognize your voice?”
Braeburn doesn’t reply for a few then he says, “I will activate them but first you must do something for me” Airborne asks, “What do you want us to do?” Braeburn replies, “All I need you to do is agree to do as I say when you get to the Overmare’s office.” Airborne sighs and replies, “Alright I will do what you want once we get to the Overmare’s office.” Just as Airborne agrees to Braeburn’s statement the turret in the hallway outside of the Pipbuck repair stall begins to fire at the Red Remnant guards.
They wait until the turrets and the screams of panic die down before exiting the makeshift cell block, Airborne carries Starshine’s still unconscious body on his back as Soarin takes point. Sunrise notices the door to the storeroom is unlocked, opening it they find the weapons that had been confiscated from them when they were captured. Placing Starshine on the floor, Airborne straps on his battle-saddle and slings All-Equestrian around his neck placing extra magazines into the ammo pouches on his utility barding then pulls on the holsters for Gust and Thunder checking to make that the duel pistols are loaded before sliding them into their respective holsters. Airborne places Starshine’s pistol onto her unconscious body and checks the armor on the barding for any signs of damage. As he checks over her armor she stirs and opens her eyes saying, “Airborne, what are you doing?” he nuzzles her happily saying, “Glad to see you in the land of the living.” She stands up slowly her hind legs wobbling a bit; she pulls out Duty Before Honor from its holster and loads a fresh clip into it saying, “I am ready to go when you are. Bring those bastards on.” Airborne watches as Sunrise and Soarin pull on their battle-saddles and check their ammo. Soarin says, “Feels good to have my weapons back especially in place filled with nasty horseapples like these ponies.” Leaving the storage room they come under fire but the Red Remnant guards are quickly cut down by the automatic turret fire.
With the hallway cleared Airborne, Starshine, Sunrise, and Soarin make quickly gallop through the Stable towards the Overmare’s office. The turrets firing on the Red Remnant pony’s making their progress through the Stable incredibly easy only a few times did they have to engage the Red Remnant ponies. Arriving in the central atrium Airborne looks up and sees Deathhoof standing on a catwalk saying, “Well now isn’t this a surprise. I never would have thought you would have made it this far. I guess I should have killed you the moment you were brought before me had I known that traitorous brain would have aided you in your escape.” Airborne calls up to him, “Why don’t you come down here and face me yourself or are you a coward?” Deathhoof face twitches slightly and he replies, “Why bother wasting my time with you Airborne when I can have my men kill you all with just the slightest raising of my hoof.” Airborne notices the many barrels trained onto him and his friends he says, “So I guess you are a coward after all.” Just as they are about to fire the turrets in the central atrium open fire, cutting down many of Deathhoof’s followers. Deathhoof yells, “Let’s get out of here!” Airborne watches as he and a small group of his followers galloping behind him. As the gunfire stops and the smoke clears Airborne sees the turrets deadly effects onto the Red Remnant ponies. Many of them have been cut in half by the automatic gunfire. Their blood was collecting into a large pool below the catwalk
Trotting upstairs and into the Overmare’s office, Airborne approaches the tank holding the disembodied brain of Braeburn. Sunrise repairs the tank’s voice command speakers and Braeburn says, “Airborne, is that you?” Airborne nods saying, “Yes Braeburn, I am here.” Braeburn sighs saying, “It’s time you honored our agreement.” Airborne replies, “What would you have me do?” Braeburn’s disembodied brain gives off a feeling that makes Airborne uneasy, he thinks, “It must have been lonely floating here without ever knowing what became of his friends and family.” Braeburn’s accented voice crackles over the speakers saying, “I want you to kill the life support function for this tank and allow me to finally die like I should have done so long ago.” Airborne is taken aback by this and replies, “Couldn’t we transfer your brain back into your body if we caught Deathhoof or at least put it into another body?” Braeburn replies, “Even if you caught Deathhoof and were able to transfer my mind back into my original body I would still kill myself regardless. I don’t want to live in a body that has killed so many innocent pony’s wearing my face and I have been down here for so long I don’t want to see what has become of the world outside after all this time. All of my friends and family are long dead, what would be the point in living if they weren’t there anymore.”
Soarin trots up besides Airborne looking at Braeburn’s disembodied brain and says, “What caused you to end up here in the first place?” Braeburn replies, “When they were building the Stable’s most of them had Overmare’s to run them including Stable 19. But this Stable’s systems weren’t functioning as they should have so what was needed was a living pony to control them. While no pony volunteered at first to take on this responsibility it became clear that this would be a way to survive the impending apocalypse. I was chosen because my cousin Applejack was one of the Ministry Mares and my service with Ironshod proved that I could run things effectively. I spent my last night as a pony thinking about the stupid feud that I had had with Applejack, it remains something I will always regret. The next day I arrived here in Coltpolis and was allowed to enjoy one last meal before heading into surgery. The last thing I remembered was a bright white light beaming down onto my face then I saw nothing but darkness as my eyes closed. The next thing I knew was feeling weightless, I tried to move my hooves but I couldn’t even the sound of my own heartbeat had faded away. I feared that I was dead until somepony spoke to me telling me that the surgery had been a success. I had become a part of Stable 19 itself; I remained this way until the day when everything ended. I tried to open the doors and I could feel the radiation seeping from the ponies that surged inside of the Stable. I was closing the door as the Stable was consumed in fire from the bombs outside. I could feel as each pony died inside of the walls of the Stable I was left in charge of. A few managed to survive for a few days, stumbling blindly through the corridors. The radiation had damaged a number of the systems within the Stable probably tainting all of the food and medical supplies. Afterwards there was nothing but silence that lasted forever until the door to the Stable was opened by the pony you call Deathhoof who took my old body for his own. I am tired of feeling all of the pain I was unable to stop, so please Airborne let me die so that I can see my cousin Applejack again and tell her for how sorry I am.”
Airborne nods to Sunrise who taps her hooves on the tank’s terminal as the life support systems begin to die Braeburn says, “Please kill Deathhoof, I can’t bear the thought of my body being used to harm others.” As the speakers begin to crackle and die Airborne ears perk as he hears Braeburn saying faintly, “Thank you Airborne.” Starshine looks at the tank saying, “I am glad we were able to do this much for him now let’s go make sure that his body isn’t used by Deathhoof ever again.” Airborne nods and trots out of the Overmare’s office with Starshine turning off the lights and quietly closing the door. Sunrise trots over to the Stable door and accesses the Stable’s exit code then she watches as the massive metal door rolls back exposing the basement of the Ministry building. All over are piles of skeletons some of them horribly blackened from the burns they had sustained in life. Exiting the Stable, Airborne looks at her saying, “Make sure nopony is able to open this place again. This will be Braeburn’s final resting place and I think it is the least we can do for him to make sure none of these scum utilize it again.” She nods deleting the code from the Stable’s computer systems and she watches as Soarin fires a load of buckshot through the Stable’s terminal saying, “Now nopony will be able to enter this place again.” Airborne watches as the door to Stable 19 rolls back into place sealing the remains of Braeburn within.
Trotting through the Ministry building Airborne notices that the once fully manned building is now empty. The silence of the place scares him turning to Starshine he says, “I wonder where they all went?” Deathhoof calls out, “Why waiting for you dear Airborne!” A number of gunshots ring out, Airborne ducks behind a metal desk and peers around it seeing a large barricade of desks and old filing cabinets with Deathhoof in the center of all of the action. Airborne aims at his head and fires but Deathhoof ducks saying, “You are going to have to try harder than that to kill me Airborne!” Airborne reloads a clip into All-Equestrian and fires taking down a few of the Red Remnant ponies at Deathhoof’s side. Airborne can feel as bullets thud into the metal desk with one of them penetrating very close to his head.
Airborne rolls out from behind the desk taking cover behind a cement column. The more bullets hit the column sending bits of cement scattering across the floor with a fine grey powder. Using All-Equestrian’s scoped sight he focuses onto Deathhoof, slowly squeezing the trigger he fires sending the bullet whizzing towards Deathhoof. One of the Red Remnant ponies dodges in front of Deathhoof taking the hit the pony’s lifeless body striking the floor. Airborne winces as a bullet clips his forehead, blood oozing down over his eyes clouding his vision with sticky gore. Leaning against the column he feels his way into his utility barding and pulls out a roll of bandages from one of the pouches. He wraps the bandage around his head sealing the wound and wipes the blood away from his eyes. Looking across from his position he sees Starshine and Soarin firing from behind an overturned desk with Sunrise reloading her battle-saddle. Airborne continues to fire sighting down onto targets feeling the kick of All-Equestrian slamming into his shoulder with each shot. The accuracy of the rifle was scary, killing with the weapon became too easy for Airborne all he had to do was sight down on a target and pull the trigger. Each time somepony would fall to the ground with a neat red hole in their body.
The gunfight lasted for hours with no sign of letting up. Deathhoof watched as his followers fell left and right due to Airborne’s accurate gunfire. He could barely lift his head without Airborne trying to blow his brains out. Knowing that the situation was becoming increasingly dangerous he sent word that it was time to spring the trap. He had hoped that his men were going to be enough but things were not going as he had planned and Airborne had left him very little other option. He could already smell the putrefied flesh as a large dark horde emerged from the shadows. The feral ghouls however immediately started to attack his men tearing them to pieces, their cries of pain drowning out the furious and increasingly rapid gunfire. Deathhoof decided it was time to leave and quickly slipped out of the Ministry building to his second stronghold within the ruins of Coltpolis. Airborne watched as Deathhoof quickly galloped out of the building then turned his attention to the large horde of feral ghouls in front of him. Firing at the closest two he quickly downed them saying to his friends, “Let’s get moving!” They didn’t need to be told twice, with Soarin taking point they carve their way through the struggling mass of ponies both alive and dead. Starshine and Sunrise killed a few ghouls as they made their way towards the exit of the Ministry building. Starshine says, “For as long as I live I will never get use to their smell.” As they exited the building Soarin barricaded the entrance to the Ministry building by pushing a large metal bench in front of the doors. Sunrise says, “Do you really think that will hold them?” He shrugs saying, “I don’t know and I don’t care as long as it buys us a few minutes so we can regroup with Hawkbeak’s forces outside of the city.”
Soarin takes out a flare gun from his utility barding and fires it sending a red flare streaking high into the sky. Within a few moments Hawkbeak and Rainbow Dash land in front of them. Rainbow Dash says, “What the heck took you guys so long? Did you find the leader of the Red Remnant?” Airborne nods saying, “Yes, we found him. He is a pony named Deathhoof and he looks like Braeburn because he had his brain transplanted into Braeburn’s old body.” Rainbow Dash looks at the old Ministry building saying, “So, this is where Braeburn ended up. So if Deathhoof’s brain is inside of Braeburn’s body where is the brain that actually belongs inside of it?” Starshine replies, “We found Braeburn’s brain and it was hooked into the control systems of Stable 19. He asked us to deactivate the life support systems because he had enough of this world and wanted to join his cousin on the other side.” Hawkbeak says, “Well at least you were able to give him the rest he wanted not that many out here in the Wasteland’s die the way they would chose.” Soarin watches as Spitfire, Misty Fly, Fire Streak, and Fleetfoot land behind Rainbow Dash and Hawkbeak. Spitfire says, “I swear Soarin the amount of times you put yourself into dangerous situations is absolutely ridiculous. Do you know that?” Soarin grins and says, “That’s why I am glad you will always be there to pull my flank out of the fire boss.” While the Wonderbolt’s look after Airborne’s wounds Soarin updates Rainbow Dash on the situation saying, “We lost Deathhoof once he unleashed a horde of those zombies; it’s only a matter of time before they find a way to escape.” She says to Spitfire, “Were you able to ascertain any secondary hideouts for Deathhoof to escape to?” Spitfire nods saying, “Yes, there is a large office building a few blocks from here that showed signs that it had been heavily reinforced. I have no doubt that is where he is heading to make his final stand.”
Rainbow Dash and watches as Airborne trots up next to Spitfire saying, “We better move quickly I have no doubt that once Deathhoof is inside of that place we will have a hard time trying to dig him out of there. Also given Halfhoof revealed himself to be a traitor he might decide to rear his ugly head at any time.” Sunrise hears Airborne talking about Halfhoof and she says, “I want the pleasure of killing that rotten piece of horse flesh myself.” Rainbow Dash says, “Alright here is the plan, Hawkbeak will divide her troops one section will keep the Red Remnant ponies busy as we make our way towards the secondary target while the other remains here to guard against any ghoul attack. Once Hawkbeak’s troops have cleared a path for us we have to move fast or risk getting caught in a prolonged firefight and I would rather not risk having the Deathhoof escaping again. While we do this Sunrise can take what troops I brought with me to find the traitor Halfhoof and kill him. The rest of us will take down will take Deathhoof down.” Starshine says, “Sounds like a good plan to me so let’s get going already.”
Hawkbeak pads over to her troops telling them the plan saying, “Take no chances with these Red Remnant fools. They aim to kill you so make damn sure that you kill them first. I will take a group with me to clear a path for Rainbow Dash and the Skysplinter while the other group stays here and cleans out the vermin inside should they break free. I would rather not have any of those filth biting at my tail feathers so make sure you aim for the head.” A griffin by the name of Scarpaw says, “Commander Hawkbeak, is it wise for us to split up in the face of superior numbers?” Hawbeak replies “Don’t worry about that. I trust Rainbow Dash and the Skysplinter to make the right call besides the Red Remnant doesn’t know who they are dealing with. Remember you are Hawkbeak’s Talon’s! Now let’s go show these idiots just who they are messing with!” Hawkbeak soars into the air followed by half of her troops while the others on the ground cheer as they prepare their defenses to contain the horde of ghouls within the Ministry building. The Wonderbolts, Rainbow Dash, Airborne and Starshine move quickly through the ruins of Coltpolis occasionally trading fire with Red Remnant soldiers who are silenced with the arrival of Hawkbeak’s troops overhead. Airborne watches as Hawkbeak swoops down onto one of the soldiers grabbing him with her talons then decapitating them with her sharp claws. He says, “I am glad she is on our side. I almost feel sorry for the Red Remnant, well almost anyway.”
The large office building looms in the distance Airborne says, “What is that place?” Fire Streak replies, “It was the Chaser Tower, named after one of the Wonderbolts who died during the War. It was and still is the largest building in Coltpolis. It was built as a memorial to those who died when Mareston fell but now it makes me sick to think that somepony like Deathhoof has made his fortress out of a monument to one of our fallen comrades.” Misty Fly replies, “Then we will make him regret it.” As they make their way through the abandoned streets and over the piles of rubble Spitfire stops in front of one of the buildings that Airborne notices that it is an old restaurant saying, “I use to eat here when I was on leave. I had friends who moved here to get away from the fighting. I visited them often whenever I wasn’t on the battlefield, I can’t believe how much it has changed.”
Airborne listened to Spitfire’s words and they made his heart ache thinking to himself, “While I have gotten used to seeing the Wasteland as it exists now it must be hard for the Wonderbolts to adjust to this reality that the Equestria they knew is gone after all they have only been free from Stable 200 for a few days and are probably still adjusting to their new lives in this unfamiliar land.” Soarin trots over to Spitfire and says, “Come on, we have to keep moving.” Spitfire nods solemnly and trots towards Chaser Tower another reminder of the world that they once knew that is now long forgotten to the radioactive mists of the Equestrian Wasteland. Sunrise ducks behind the corner of a building as she fires as a few Red Remnant soldiers across the street from her. Both of them collapse to the ground dead as one of her best snipers takes them down. So far they hadn’t found any sign of the traitor Halfhoof but given the intensity of the fighting around her it was likely that he was hiding somewhere among the ruins. She smiles when she pictured herself standing over his corpse finally taking revenge for his responsibility for the death of her friend Baleout. She sees Halfhoof lurking behind an old wagon within twenty feet of her position. She levels her battle-saddle at him firing; he dodges her gunfire barely missing them. He gets out from behind the wagon and gallops away from her. She chases him through building after building firing wildly as he turns the corner.
She peeks around the corner and notices a few blocks up the street a wall explodes sending shards of glass and other debris pouring into the street. A number of ponies staggered out of the hole falling flat onto their faces with large pools of blood leaking out from their bodies. She gallops over to them to investigate and sees Halfhoof standing there with a magical energy weapon clutched in his hooves. He says, “Well now I guess you found me Sunrise. Too bad Baleout couldn’t be here to watch me kill you but I guess you can tell him yourself once you see him on the other side.” He points the weapon at Sunrise and fires a jet of purple flame at her. Sunrise ducks behind the corner of the building as the air explodes with intense heat burning the feathers on her wings. Rolling over she looks up to see Halfhoof standing over her saying, “Any last words Sunrise?” She says, “Yeah, go to Tartarus.” She fires point blank into his chest, piercing his armor and sending him sprawling onto his back.
She stands over him watching blood trickle out of the corner of his mouth, Halfhoof weakly drags himself over to his weapon but Sunrise kicks it out of his reach saying, “You don’t get to use to hurt anyone ever again.” She fires again this time into his legs, Halfhoof cries out in pain. Sunrise watches the liquid life slowly drain from his body. Slowly as the life leaves his eyes she spits into his face saying, “Goodbye Halfhoof and good riddance.” His body slumps as his mechanical leg twitches as the last of the neurons fire inside of his brain. For good measure Sunrise fires a few rounds into Halfhoof’s head making the twitching cease immediately she says, “Well Baleout, I hope you can finally rest in peace now.” Sunrise gallops away from Halfhoof’s body leaving it behind as she rejoins her troops to retake the city of Coltpolis back from those who have shamed the memorials of the past that the city has come to represent as the only monuments to those who died during the dark days of Equestria’s past.
Author's Note
Part Six of Fallout Equestria: M.I.A. enjoy and don't forget to give it a thumbs up and leave a comment!!!
Fallout copyrighted to Bethesda Softworks
My Little Pony Friendship is Magic copyrighted to Hasbro Inc.
Fallout Equestria copyrighted to Kkat.
All other characters are copyrighted to me.
Fallout Equestria: M.I.A.
Part Seven: The Battle of Coltpolis
Part Seven: Battle of Coltpolis
Airborne stares at the heavily barricaded doors to Chaser Tower saying, “How exactly are we going to get in there?” Spitfire replies, “There’s only one option we have fight our way inside and kill Deathhoof.” Soarin says, “Well, there is only one way to get in there. We will have to blow the doors off this place and carve our way through all these Red Remnant featherheads.” Airborne watches as Soarin pulls out of his utility barding a few blocks of C4. He presses them to the heavy metal doors of Chaser Tower and molds them into place then places detonator fuses into the explosives. Airborne watches as Soarin steps back and say, “Alright everypony get back once I press the trigger on the detonator it’s going to make one hell of a bang. I have no doubt that those Remnant bastards will be ready and waiting for us inside.” Pressing down on the detonator trigger the doors of Chaser Tower burst of their thick hinges and crash to the ground with a loud thud.
Airborne rushes inside and ducks behind a large marble column then looks as the Wonderbolts and Rainbow Dash take up positions behind some overturned desks and old vending machines. Starshine presses herself close to Airborne’s side and says, “Can you see anything?” Airborne cautiously peers around the corner of the column and sees a large barricade metal barricade at the top of the central staircase in the middle of the room behind that he can see a few Remnant ponies already taking aim at the column he and Starshine are behind while the others train their weapons onto the Wonderbolts and Rainbow Dash ready to fire at the first sign of trouble.
Airborne pulls out from his barding a grenade and pulls the pin then lobs it. The grenade lands among the Remnant ponies and explodes showering the lobby of Chaser Tower with body parts and blood. Airborne looks around and says, “Alright I think it is clear to move out now.” Starshine shakes her mane and brushes small chunks of flesh out of her hair saying, “Next time Airborne warn me before you decide to shower me with gore.” Airborne stares and pins his ears back saying, “I am sorry but we don’t have time for this.” Airborne quickly trots up the stairs and presses the button to a gilded elevator and watches as the brightly illuminated numbers countdown till they reach the bottom floor. As the heavy elevator door slides open Soarin quickly checks the small room and says, “It’s clear.” Everypony quickly gets inside of the elevator and Misty Fly presses the button to the top floor which a faded old label reads, “Penthouse Suite.” As the elevator rises up through Chaser Tower everypony checks their weapons and reloads fresh magazines into them. Fire Streak cocks his ears and can hear a faint ticking noise then his eyes widen in surprising saying, “We have to get out of this thing.” Airborne replies, “Why if we take this elevator to the top floor we will be able to reach Deathhoof a lot quicker.” Spitfire whom had also heard the ticking says, “We won’t reach the top floor of Chaser Tower in one piece anyway this thing has been rigged to explode. It has probably been timed to trigger once we pass a certain floor so I suggest we leave quickly.” Looking around the small room Rainbow sees an emergency hatch on the roof of the elevator.
Grabbing ahold of it she slowly pushes the thing as Soarin presses the emergency stop button on the elevator panel. Immediately the elevator comes to a jerking halt as cold stale air fills the small room. Climbing out onto the roof of the elevator Airborne looks down the long dark shaft below him and his head starts to swoon with an overwhelming sense of vertigo. The other ponies quickly join Airborne on the roof of the elevator and Fleetfoot locates a small bundle of dynamite and tries to deactivate the explosive. But after a few minutes he says, “I cannot turn off the detonator it is set to a remote charge somewhere in this building so whatever we are going to do we need to do it now.” Airborne flaps his wings and lands on a metal beam about twenty feet up from the elevator he says, “We can just use the metal beams to climb our way up to the top of the tower.” Rainbow Dash flaps her wings and joins Airborne on the metal beam saying, “Alright everypony let’s get moving!” Everypony nods and starts to fly from beam to beam working their way to the top of Chaser Tower.
Two floors above them the elevator doors open and two Red Remnant ponies emerge with their guns drawn and pointed directly at the small group of ponies. Airborne winces as a bullet grazes his cheek, lifting All Equestrian to his shoulder and fires at the ponies who immediately duck behind the wall while one of them takes a bullet to the head then tumbles down the shaft. Rainbow Dash flaps her wings and quickly tosses a few grenades through the doorway blowing the Red Remnant ponies to pieces. Soarin soars up behind her and says, “Don’t take any chances Rainbow.” She looks at him saying, “Do you think these featherheads could remotely harm me? I am too awesome for that!” Just as she says that another group of Red Remnant ponies appears and open fire at both Soarin and Rainbow Dash who quickly turn and fire in unison at the group downing them. Spitfire appears behind them and says, “Having fun?” Soarin flicks his tail saying, “No not really but this place is crawling with these bastards. It’s hard to turn a corner without running into them.” Spitfire nods and says, “Reminds me of the old days during the War.” Soarin replies, “Yeah, but this is different. We aren’t fighting zebras instead we are fighting a bunch of crazy morons who die without even thinking about what they are sacrificing.” Rainbow looks at them and thinks, “They are still haunted by the War just as much as I am. After all of this is over I need to do something to make sure all Pegasi contribute to heal this broken world.”
After clearing the floor of all Red Remnant ponies Starshine says, “Going any farther up that elevator shaft is a deathtrap we should try to take the stairs up to the Penthouse Suite.” Airborne lets Fleetfoot clean and dress the wound on his cheek then he says, “I am getting really tired of dodging both bullets and bombs back in that elevator shaft. If I die I want to die standing with some solid ground beneath my hooves.” Fire Streak says, “A fight is a fight to me as long as I get to shoot somepony and end this nightmare I will be happy.” Starshine says, “Then let’s get going.” Starshine immediate trots over to the stairwell door and yanks it open. As soon as the door swings open a small pile of bones and old pony skulls land at Starshine’s hooves. Rainbow Dash says, “Even this place is a tomb. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised given this city is filled with mountains of ash.” Starshine and the rest of the ponies carefully step over the aged bones.
The group of ponies quickly rushes up the stairs which occasionally groan from years of neglect, particles of rust flake off of the deteriorated banisters and coat their manes with orange flecks. Eventually they reach the top floor of the stairwell and Airborne says, “Isn’t it weird we have yet to be shot at?” Rainbow replies, “Not really they probably expected that we would take the elevator and concentrated their forces around the center of the building. Any stairwell was probably left unguarded because of how old they are. Nopony would climb up these old steps and hope to live.” Misty Fly stamps her hooves and says, “Well we did so let’s not press our luck.” Soarin opens the door and as he does so and explosion knocks Soarin off his hooves flinging him against the far wall. Bits of shrapnel shred Airborne’s wings and he falls next to an unconscious Soarin. Rainbow rushes to Soarin’s side and shakes him saying, “Soarin don’t you die on me!” Airborne looks at Soarin with his one good eye as the other clotted with blood. Spitfire calls out, “Everypony all right? Sound off!” Misty Fly groans and raises a hoof saying, “I am still here.” Fire Streak cradles Fleetfoot’s unconscious body saying, “I am alright but Fleetfoot looks pretty rough.” Spitfire shakes her head saying, “I can barely hear anything. What the hell was that?” Starshine helps Airborne to his hooves saying, “The door must have been rigged to exploded incase anypony opened it.”
Airborne coughs and says, “Yeah it’s a clever trick but I am not stopping.” Rainbow Dash says, “Well before you go off to take down Deathhoof, we need to take care of your wings plus Soarin and Fleetfoot have yet to wake up.” Airborne says, “What about my wings? They feel fine?” Looking at them his eyes widen in shock. His wings hang limply at his sides dripping small pools of blood on the floor. Most of the grey feathers are burnt or have fallen off. The pearly white bones of his wings sticking out like broken twigs. As the adrenaline wears off his legs begin to tremble as waves of pain race up his spine. Starshine sets Airborne’s broken wings and starts to wrap them in bandages. Airborne starts to feel cold tears rushing down the side of his cheeks. Starshine nuzzles him saying, “After I am done wrapping your wings up let’s finish this once and for all.” He nods and replies, “Alright.” Rainbow Dash looks at the both of them saying, “We can’t all go get Deathhoof with this many injured. I will stay behind with Soarin and Fleetfoot to take care of their wounds.” She then looks at Misty Fly, Spitfire, and Fire Streak saying, “You three go with them to finish this once and for all.” Spitfire checks her weapon and replies, “Don’t worry Rainbow Dash, we will get this done. Afterwards drinks are on me. It’s time we had a real reunion party after all of this is over.” The other ponies check their weapons and reload them then Airborne leaves Rainbow Dash tending to Soarin and Fleetfoot.
Fanning out through the hallway clearing every room of Red Remnant ponies as they move further down the hall and turning the corner they come face to face with a large double door with a small brass plaque over it that reads, “Penthouse.” Airborne takes up position on one side of the door with Starshine standing behind him. Spitfire, Misty Fly, and Fire Streak take up position opposite of them. Airborne slowly pushes the door open with his hoof and rushes into the room with the other ponies following behind him.
They gaze around at the large foyer; most of what had once been crisp white paint with gold leaf had flaked off with age and cracked leaving small piles on the floor. Walking up the stairs they search the room. Looking into a bedroom at the dirty worn out bed, the sheets are and bedding are rags that hang limply over the side of the bed. Spitfire searches through the Penthouse and finds the door to the office locked. She whistles and Airborne comes trotting over saying, “What’s up?” Spitfire replies, “This door is locked and I bet Deathhoof is in here.” Airborne raise All Equestrian and shoots the lock off the door then bucks the door open. The door swings open revealing the dusty skyline of Coltpolis through the swirling debris filled wind. Deathhoof looks at them saying, “So, you finally found me Airborne. Now what? Do you plan to kill me?” Airborne says, “Well that would be the plan.” Deathhoof laughs rolling his eyes as he pulls out his gun firing at Airborne and Spitfire. Airborne ducks behind a couch while Spitfire takes cover behind an overturned filing cabinet.
Airborne hears Misty Fly, Fire Streak, and Starshine outside of the door and yells, “Don’t come in here!” Fire Streak peers into the room then quickly ducks saying to Misty, “This bastard has crazy accurate aim. If we go in there then we are dead.” Misty Fly says, “Then how will we get them out of there?” Fire Streak shrugs and says, “Provide them with all the cover fire we can so they can take him down.” Starshine says, “We have to get in there. I am not going to let Deathhoof kill Airborne.” Misty Fly looks at her and says, “I know how you feel but if we rush in there we will get both of ourselves killed and not be able to help anypony.” Starshine nods and starts to fire at Deathhoof’s direction trying to keep him pinned down.
Deathhoof flips over his desk saying, “Do you really think that by killing me Airborne that anypony will change? Do you think this world will accept the changes ponies like you, Fluttershy, and that bitch Littlepip are trying to bring to it?” Airborne replies, “I think this world deserves a second chance and if I can help bring lasting change to it like Littlepip did then I will fight to make sure the vision she and Fluttershy have for Equestria will last.” Deathhoof snorts and laughs loudly saying, “You really are deluded Airborne, do you know that? This world can never go back to what is was when friendship and love died with the Princesses during the War. This world is defined by the strong surviving and those who cannot die. This is the new law of Equestria, even if you are trying to change this world this truth will never change.” Spitfire replies, “I lived during the War and can remember what life was like before. Yeah things have changed and some have the ponies. Many of the faces I once remembered are now gone but I am not going to let what was lost be for nothing. That’s why ponies like you Deathhoof will never get it.”
Deathhoof continues to laugh, “I cannot believe this! I am getting told that this world is still worth fighting for by a pony that helped make it what it is now. Don’t think you can pull that pious shit with me Spitfire.” Spitfire fires at Deathhoof and says, “Come out you cowardly bastard so I can prove to you just how wrong you are.” Deathhoof pops out and quickly fires at Spitfire who falls on the floor and lies still. Airborne grinds his teeth and pulls out a grenade angrily pulling the pin he throws the grenade in Deathhoof’s direction.
Rushing over to Spitfire’s side he notices a large wound in her shoulder, he quickly covers her with his body as the grenade explodes shaking the floor beneath his hooves and his ears start to ring. Misty Fly and Fire Streak gallop into the room as Airborne pulls out a medkit from his utility barding. He places one of his forehoof’s onto Spitfire’s shoulder while he pulls out a package of sulfa powder pouring it onto the wound. Fire Streak takes a morphine syrette then injects it into Spitfire’s shoulder then helps Airborne tries to sit up Spitfire to place another gauze pad on the exit wound on her shoulder. Wrapping the wound up Airborne breathes a sigh of relief and looks at both Misty Fly and Starshine who point their battle saddles towards the cloud of dust and smoke where Deathhoof was. He says, “Is he dead?” Misty Fly shakes her head and says, “I have a feeling that it will take a lot more than a grenade to take him down.”
As the smoke and debris clears Airborne sees a stairwell that was hidden by a false wall has been exposed by the explosion. Starshine follows him saying, “Where are you going?” Airborne looks back at her and says, “I am not going to let him get away. We didn’t come this far and lose our friends just to let another evil pony continue to infect Equestria with their insanity.” Starshine replies, “Why do you always feel like you have to fight alone and do things your way Airborne? We are all in this together!” Airborne shuffles his hooves and says, “We already lost Baleout. I don’t want to lose you.” Starshine nuzzles him saying, “You won’t besides you already died once and that didn’t stop you so I doubt some crazy pony like Deathhoof will. Now let’s get this done together.” Airborne smiles and says, “Alright let’s go.” Airborne looks at Misty Fly and Fire Streak who are still tending to Spitfire’s unconscious form, Fire Streak notices his gaze and says, “Go finish this! Make sure all the sacrifice we have made today was worth it.” Airborne nods turning to trot up the stairs he sees a doorway leading to the roof and opens it.
Stepping out onto the roof he sees Deathhoof standing over a skylight holding a large rocket launcher with a large phoenix emblazoned on its side. Starshine says, “I have seen that kind of weapon before but only in books. That’s a Phoenix Type Magical Rocket Launcher. They were manufactured during the War but only towards the end of it, they are really rare and not many were produced.” Deathhoof says, “That is correct. I found this while searching through the ruins of Coltpolis a place that rewards the strong and further disproves Fluttershy’s vision for Equestria, a city built upon the deaths of those who died during the War will remain a reminder of the hypocrisy of her vision. A weapon like this fires a magical rocket that when it comes into contact with the skin is that it burns away the skin and reduces the body to ash as if you were standing under the flames on the Sun. I call her Red Blaze.” Deathhoof fires the rocket at Airborne who dodges it then Deathhoof fires at Starshine who also dodges. Airborne rushes at Deathhoof firing All Equestrian. The bullets from the high powered assault rifle slam into Deathhoof’s legs. Deathhoof kneels and continues to fire Red Blaze. Airborne knocks the weapon out of Deathhoof’s grasp and pounces onto him. He wraps his hooves around Deathhoof’s neck and starts to squeeze.
Deathhoof starts to panic and tries to get Airborne off of him. They both roll out onto the skylight as the fragile glass starts to crack beneath them. Starshine cries out, “Finish him Airborne!” Airborne starts to squeeze even harder around Deathhoof forcing his entire body weight around Deathhoof’s neck. Deathhoof smiles grimly and says, “So Airborne, you will kill me with your own hooves. You will only prove my point that ponies like you could never change Equestria.” Airborne looks at him and says, “No I won’t kill you” he notices the glass starting to crack even further then he says, “But how you die is up to you.” Airborne manages to flap his broken wings and flies off of Deathhoof as the glass skylight caves in beneath them. Deathhoof screams and attempts to grab onto a wire to stop himself from falling but the wire wraps around his neck and with a bone crushing snap his neck breaks and his limp body hangs from the ceiling. Airborne breathes heavily and winces as fresh waves of pain shoot up his back.
Starshine rushes to his side saying, “Are you okay?” he nods and says, “Yeah I am fine. I am just glad this is finally over. But I cannot help but feel at least some small part of me feels that Deathhoof is right. Can we ponies ever really restore things to the way they were before the War?” Starshine replies, “Maybe we can never restore things to the way they were before but I believe in Fluttershy’s vision for the future it seems like a good place to start and it has to be a lot better than things continuing the way they are now. Ponies like Littlepip and her friends fought to change Equestria; ponies like Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and the Wonderbolts are trying to undo the damage they have done so how can I not try to aid them. That’s something ponies like Deathhoof will never understand.” Airborne smiles and says, “Well then I will try my best to make sure Equestria can go back to the way it was before the War. I can’t let Baleout’s death and even Blackstar’s death mean nothing. So let’s do our best to make sure that happens.” Starshine smiles and kisses his cheek saying, “I will hold you to that so let’s go down and check on the others.” Before they leave the roof of the building Airborne grabs Red Blaze and says, “Never know when something like this could come in handy.” Both Starshine and Airborne leave the roof of Chaser Tower and go back down into the Penthouse Suite.
When they arrive back into the Penthouse they see that Spitfire has already woken up. Airborne rushes over to her and says, “How’s the shoulder?” Spitfire winces and says, “I have felt better but this scratch is nothing that won’t heal in a few days.” Spitfire notices the hanging corpse of Deathhoof and says, “I see you took care to him while I was unconscious. I am glad to see you are unhurt.” She then notices Red Blaze on his back and says, “Is that what I think it is?” Airborne replies, “It is. Deathhoof found it while searching through the ruins of Coltpolis. It seems this city has a lot of secrets lying buried in the rubble.” Spitfire limps over to Deathhoof’s corpse and stares at it. Airborne joins her and sees that Deathhoof’s eyes have rolled back into his head exposing the whites of his eyes while his tongue hangs out of his mouth. Airborne sees the cutie mark on Deathhoof’s flank and suddenly starts to feel bad. He says, “I know this sounds crazy but we can’t leave him here to rot like this.” From behind him Rainbow Dash says, “To hell we can’t. That bastard deserves to rot for all that he has done.”
Airborne sees Fleetfoot and Soarin trotting in behind her and he says, “I know what he has done but it wasn’t the body he is in that committed the crimes it was his mind. He stole Braeburn’s body for his own uses and placed his own demented brain inside of his body. So let’s remove Deathhoof’s brain from Braeburn’s body and give the body the dignified burial it deserves. Braeburn was a descent pony who didn’t deserve what happened to him and he regrets everything that happened during the War and I don’t want his spirit to linger here in the shell of the world he knew because I wasn’t able to honor his last request. So I am going to do what is right and honor Braeburn.” Rainbow Dash looks at her hooves and says, “Alright let’s do it.” Soarin shoots the wire around Braeburn’s neck and his body falls to the floor with a thud. Soarin hands Airborne his knife and Airborne takes it then starts to crave open Braeburn’s head to extract the sick brain of Deathhoof. After a few minutes he pulls out the gnarled buddle of nerves that is Deathhoof’s brain and hands it to Spitfire saying, “Dispose of this” she takes it saying, “With pleasure.” She opens a window and tosses the brain of Deathhoof into the ruined depths of Coltpolis.
Starshine sews the top of Braeburn’s head back onto his body then closes his eyes and mouth so it looks like Braeburn is sleeping. Fire Streak grabs the body and places it over his back saying, “Let’s get going. The stench of this place has lingered long enough in my nostrils.” Soarin nods in agreement and says, “Yeah, we came here to do what we needed to do now that he is dead let’s leave this place.” Airborne nods and leaves the Penthouse Suite followed by Rainbow Dash, Soarin, Starshine, Fleetfoot, Fire Streak, Misty Fly, and Spitfire. As he closes the door to the Penthouse he sees some shape standing by the window. Airborne cocks his ears and watches as the shape takes the form of bright red apple. But more of the shape becomes apart and eventually he sees the ghostly form of Braeburn who smiles his green eyes gleaming happily. Braeburn ghostly voice sounds like a whisper but Airborne can hear, “Thank you Airborne for everything you have done.” Just as Braeburn appears he disappears still smiling. Starshine appears behind him and manages to catch a glimpse of Braeburn’s ghost saying, “I think that was his way of saying thank you.” Airborne nods and closes the door behind him sealing the bad memories of Deathhoof within.
When they reach the bottom of Chaser Tower they see a large group of Pegasi and Griffins awaiting them. Hawkbeak says, “I am glad to see you made it.” She then sees the body of Braeburn and says, “Is that the bastard who caused all of this? You take his corpse for a trophy because I want a piece of his scalp to add to my collection.” Airborne replies, “You are wrong that we brought the body with us as a trophy. The body is that of Braeburn, a pony who was the cousin of Applejack during the War. The mind inside of it was Deathhoof who stole his body for his own. We are going to give it a proper burial away from this place.” Hawkbeak looks at him and shrugs saying, “I won’t understand ponies and your ways but if you think it is best I won’t go against your judgement Skysplinter. But I can see that you won’t be leaving here on your own so I will carry you back to New Cloudsdale.”
Airborne looks at his bandaged wings having forgotten his injuries Airborne looks at her shocked and asks, “Are you sure you won’t mind?” Hawkbeak shakes her saying, “Carrying you won’t be much besides it would be my honor to carry the pony that saved Equestria yet again.” Airborne climbs onto her back and finds that her fur is relatively soft compared to how she looks and he smiles then says, “Before we leave land outside of the city limits so we can bury Braeburn.” She nods and says, “It will be done Airborne.” She flaps her powerful wings and soars into the air followed by the remaining members of the Talons and Pegasi then the Wonderbolts, Rainbow Dash, and Starshine who flies beside Hawkbeak.
Airborne watches as the smoking skyline of Coltpolis disappears beneath the dusty radioactive skies. After a few minutes Hawkbeak lands on a hill overlooking the city of Coltpolis, Airborne slides off of her back then helps the Wonderbolts dig a hole in the hardened ground. One of the Talon’s gives up their blanket and Airborne thanks him with the Talon replying, “Anything for the Skysplinter.” Airborne helps to wrap Braeburn’s body in the blanket before the body is placed into the grave. Starshine pulls out a worn and faded cowboy hat saying, “I found this inside of Stable we found Braeburn’s brain in. I figured it belonged to him but I think he would want you to have it instead given everything you have done for him.”
Airborne takes the hat from her and feels the well-worn creases then places it on his head. Airborne then pulls off a patch from his old armored barding and places it inside of the blanket saying, “Thanks for trying to make this world better Braeburn. We won’t ever forget you.” Airborne watches as the grave is filled covering the remains of Braeburn. After the grave is filled Airborne climbs back onto Hawkbeak’s back and starts to fall asleep. Hawkbeak looks back at him and says, “Get some rest Skysplinter. I will make sure you are protected on our way to New Cloudsdale you can count on that.” Airborne nods sleepily then falls into a deep sleep forgetting the evils of Deathhoof and the sad legacy of Cloudsdale behind in the dusty swirling radioactive mists of the Equestrian Wasteland.
. When they arrive in News Cloudsdale, Airborne is taken into the medical wing of the Wonderbolt Academy where his wounds are treated. The Wonderbolts including Spitfire, Soarin, and Fleetfoot are treated as well. After a few days Airborne awakens with Starshine leaning over him smiling. Airborne sits up and says, “How long have I been here?” She replies, “You have been here for a few days. You got yourself pretty shot up.” Starshine runs her hoof through Airborne’s mane looking at the black and brown strands of hair. She then says, “You are always getting hurt wherever we go.” He nuzzles her hoof and says, “I know but like you said back in Coltpolis. I died once and I don’t intend to do so again before my time is up.”
He leans back on the pillow and sighs then watches as Starshine climbs into the bed next to him. She says, “So Airborne what are we going to do after you get out of here?” he shrugs and replies, “Oh I dunno first get my weapons cleaned then got to Rainbow Dash and Soarin’s marriage reception.” She says, “Speaking of that you ever think we will get married?” Airborne replies, “Definitely after all I intend to keep my promise to you before you whack me over the head and leave a scar I will have for the rest of my life.” She laughs and kisses him tenderly and says, “I am glad you finally decided to keep your promise Airborne. I was afraid I would have to remind you.” He smiles then goes back to sleep with Starshine at his side.
Author's Note
Part Seven of Fallout Equestria: M.I.A. enjoy and don't forget to give it a thumbs up and leave a comment!!!
Fallout copyrighted to Bethesda Softworks
My Little Pony Friendship is Magic copyrighted to Hasbro Inc.
Fallout Equestria copyrighted to Kkat.
All other characters are copyrighted to me.
Fallout Equestria: M.I.A.
Part Eight: Honoring the Past and Future
Part Eight: Honoring the Past and Future
Airborne awakens the next day and stretches his sore body. Looking around he notices his wings are no longer bandaged and perfectly healed. Airborne sees Fluttershy trot into the room and she says, “I healed you wings with megaspell I developed during the War.” Airborne flexes his wings and smiles then says, “Thank you for healing them. I really appreciate it.” She replies, “It is I who should thank you. You have done so much for me and Equestria that we can never fully repay you. If there is anything you want from me you need but to ask.” Airborne shakes his head and says, “There is no need to reward me. I was just doing what is right.” Fluttershy kisses Airborne’s cheek and says, “I wish there were more ponies like you these days.” Airborne blushes then says, “Thank you Fluttershy.” After getting out of the medical wing, Airborne flies home and sees Starshine waiting for him on the front stoop. She smiles as he lands and says, “I was coming to visit you today but I guess I don’t need to anymore.” Airborne nuzzles her saying, “Fluttershy healed it for me.” Starshine blushes slightly and says, “Remind me to thank her when I next see her.” Airborne goes inside their house seeing Soarin and Rainbow Dash sitting in the living room.
Soarin looks up with pieces of pie crust sticking to his cheeks as Rainbow Dash wave’s hello. Airborne rolls his eyes and says, “Let me guess. You had Starshine bake you an apple pie Soarin?” Soarin shakes his head and smiles saying, “Yeah, she makes some of the best apple pie I have ever tasted even Spitfire agreed.” Airborne flops down onto the couch and places his hooves onto the table in front of him. Rainbow Dash looks at him saying, “I am glad to see you have fully healed from our misadventures in Coltpolis.” Airborne stretches his wings saying, “Yeah, Fluttershy healed them for me. I didn’t know megaspells could be used to heal. I thought that they were only used to create weapons.” Rainbow Dash nods saying, “They can be used for both. But not many ponies know how to use megaspells these days so thank Celestia that Fluttershy remembers how.” Starshine sits down next to Airborne and leans her head on his shoulder sighing contently. Rainbow hands Soarin a napkin who takes it and wipes his muzzle with it. Soarin burps and laughs as well as everypony else. Starshine gets up from the couch and trots into the kitchen then comes back into the room with another apple pie. Soarin’s eyes widen and he pounces onto the pie as soon as Starshine sets it down on the table. Airborne raises his left wing to shield his face from the flying pieces of apple pie. When the pieces stop flying Airborne lowers his wing and looks around. Rainbow Dash’s face is covered in pieces of apple pie while Starshine says, “Great I will have to clean all afternoon get rid of this mess.” Soarin looks up at her and says, “I am sorry Starshine. I just love apple pie.” Starshine replies, “I know Soarin.”
A few hours later Airborne sits down in Rainbow Dash’s office inside of the Wonderbolt Academy. She looks at him and says, “Airborne, do you know why you are here?” Airborne shrugs and says, “Nope I have no idea why I am here.” Rainbow replies, “You are here because I have come to the realization that you have done so much for me and Equestria that I cannot help but thank you personally. I know Fluttershy offered you a reward but I feel I must do the same. So please take this.” She pushes a wooden case across her desk and says, “This served me well during the War. I hope it will serve you just as well in the future.” Airborne opens the case and sees a revolver with gold engraving on the ejector tube that reads Lucky Star. On the handle is a small depiction of Rainbow Dash’s cutie mark. Rainbow Dash says, “That is a Firewing .357. There aren’t many of those around anymore. I think that might be the only one left in Equestria.” Airborne says, “I thought you used a magical battle-saddle during the War?” She replies, “I did and still do. But I liked to keep something like that around just in case of close encounters with any zebra that got too close. But I want you to keep it now.” Airborne takes out the gun and matching holster then places it around his waist saying, “Thanks Rainbow Dash.” She gets up from her desk and says, “Now we have some somber work to be done. This afternoon is the funeral for Baleout and I think we should both arrive on time for that.” Airborne nods and says, “I agree.” They both leave Rainbow Dash’s office and head towards the Wonderbolt Chapel.
When they arrive at the Chapel Airborne notices Spitfire and the Wonderbolts are in full dress uniform standing in front of the entire student body of cadets. Next to them stand’s Starshine, Hurricane Wind, and Sunrise next to them in a casket lies the body of Baleout. Baleout’s face is serene and calm. His mane had fallen over his face the yellow and white strands of hair giving him an angelic look. Sunrise trots over to Airborne and hugs him saying, “I am glad that you made it Airborne.” He hugs her back tightly and says, “I am glad you made it back to New Cloudsdale.” He then watches as Soarin walks over to Baleout’s casket and place an old Wonderbolt patch into it saying, “If Baleout had lived two hundred years ago before the War he would have been a member of the Wonderbolts in his own right. But now we live in a time where the world has gone to hell and what’s left is much worse than what come before. But Baleout died defending not only me and the rest of my friends but a vision that Equestria could become something better than it is now. So I say we honor his memory and the memory of all those lost during the War by making sure the Pegasi play their part in rebuilding this world.” Rainbow Dash trots in front of the casket and says, “From now on I expect every Pegasi to help in any way that they can because we cannot allow Baleout’s death to be meaningless. So from now on all Pegasi will put their best hoof forward in rebuilding this broken world.” The entire audience before her claps their hooves together applaud Rainbow Dash. Airborne watches as Spitfire closes the lid on the casket then as Soarin, Fleetfoot, Misty Fly, and Fire Streak carry it out of the Chapel followed by Sunrise and Hurricane Wind. Rainbow Dash looks at him saying, “I never liked attending funerals even during the War. They remind me of just how much we have lost and it seems pointless considering the world I had a hoof in destroying is gone.” Airborne replies, “Which is why we have to make it all mean something in the end Rainbow Dash.”
Airborne trots outside and sees a number of unicorns with their horns glowing. Baleout’s casket glows as a magical fire engulfs it. Soarin turns and hands Sunrise a folded flag with the symbol of Old Equestria on it. She takes the flag and stares at it then at the casket as it disappears in the magical inferno. After the fire consumes the casket Spitfire walks over to Sunrise and hands her Baleout’s shotgun Cloudhammer saying, “I found this among Baleout’s personal effects. I think he would want you to have it.” Sunrise takes the shotgun and slings it over her back saying, “Thank you. I am glad that I will at least be able to keep some part of him with me.” The last flickering embers of the magical fire dim and disappear leaving a fine powdered ash on the ground. Airborne trots away from the group of gathered ponies and goes back into the Chapel sitting down on a pew.
Behind him he hears the hooffalls of somepony coming up the isle towards him. Turning his eyes widen in shock and sees a pony he had once seen but knew to be dead. Lightning Dust sits down on the bench next to him saying, “This place looks familiar much like it did in the old Wonderbolt Academy.” Airborne looks at his great-grandmother and says, “How is this possible?” Lightning Dust replies, “Equestria is a land of magic where even Death itself is irrelevant besides when I saw a chance to come back I took it since I believe you could use some advice Airborne.” Airborne pins his ears back and raise an eyebrow replying, “What advice?” She ruffles his hair saying, “I know what you have been fearing inside of your heart Airborne. I came back to tell you not to worry about failing her because of what happened to Baleout. Besides the mistakes of the past that I made and those ponies that lived back then made shouldn’t affect you now. This is a chance for everything to start over, so please don’t be afraid to love Starshine because you fear dying. Love never dies and that is what has brought me here today. My love for my family is something that can never die. So take advantage of everything while you are here and put that good heart of yours to some use to help this world and those in it.” Lightning Dust gets up from the pew and says, “Well I guess it’s time for me to go.” Airborne looks at her and says, “Tell Baleout I am sorry I couldn’t save him” Lightning Dust looks back and says, “He told me to say not to worry about him. He doesn’t regret going with you to Coltpolis. He was able to fight alongside the Wonderbolts and is grateful for having met you.” Lightning Dust kisses his cheek and says, “I love you Airborne. Never forget that.” Lightning Dust slowly disappears and is gone. Starshine walks up and sits down on the pew next to Airborne and says, “What’s wrong?” he replies, “Nothing is the matter.” He then kisses her saying, “Will you marry me Starshine?” she replies, “I thought you already promised me that?” Airborne says, “I was having some second thoughts after all of this but I got some advice that put my mind at ease.” She hugs him saying, “Of course I will marry you Airborne.” Soarin walks up and says, “Well I am glad you finally decided to commit to each other. Rainbow Dash and I thought we would have to buck you both in the head to see sense.” Airborne laughs and replies, “No that won’t be necessary.” Soarin trots over to Airborne and says, “Let me be the first to congratulate you on your engagement.” Airborne blushes slightly then notices behind Soarin somepony standing there and sees Baleout laughing then waves before disappearing.
The following day Airborne and Starshine are married behind their home in a private reception. Fluttershy administers over the marriage ceremony and smiles as Airborne places a ring around Starshine’s foreleg. After the ceremony is over Rainbow Dash, Soarin, and Spitfire trot over to Airborne. Airborne looks at them saying, “Don’t tell me. You need me to go on another mission where I will be facing impossible odds and dangerous enemies to find another pony from Equestria’s past?” Rainbow Dash shakes her head saying, “No we don’t need you to go on any missions especially on your wedding day besides I doubt you could resist the allure of an adventure any more than I can. No we need to discuss something with you that has been on Spitfire’s mind for some time.” Spitfire says, “As you are no doubt aware there is a shortage of Pegasi patrolling the skies of Equestria. Most of our new recruits are still too green to partake on most of the dangerous missions which is becoming an increasingly alarming reality in Equestria. So I have decided that we need a more elite squad to patrol the skies of Equestria to ensure the Pegasi contribute to the rebuilding of Equestria into what it once was and the Wonderbolts can fulfill this role rather well but we are still undermanned and cannot be everywhere at once. So I have decided to make both you Airborne, Starshine, and Sunrise members of the Wonderbolts if you want?” Airborne replies, “How could I say no to an offer like that, it was my ancestor Lightning Dust’s dream to be a member of the Wonderbolts. Since she is no longer hear I will fulfill her dream for her.” Starshine replies, “Wherever my husband goes so shall I. Besides somepony has to watch his flank to make sure he doesn’t shoot his tail off.” Airborne smiles and rubs his foreleg in embarrassment. Sunrise looks at Spitfire and says, "I will join. I think Baleout would have wanted me too and this is a way I can keep his memory alive with me." Spitfire nods then says, "Well then welcome to the Wonderbolts everypony. I am sure you will do your best to honor the name and make me proud."
After the reception is over Airborne and Starshine stare out over New Cloudsdale. Airborne says, “I wonder if Fluttershy has added Baleout’s name to the Wall of Remembrance?” Starshine replies, “I am sure she has. Something like that wouldn’t be anything she would forget. It’s hard to think that he is gone isn’t it?” He shakes his head saying, “Seems every time we go on these adventures we lose a friend. First Darkstar and now Baleout, I hope we don’t lose any more as we serve in the Wonderbolts.” Starshine leans her head on his shoulder replying, “Which is why we have to fight harder to protect those we love. So let’s make sure we never lose anypony else every again.” The next day Airborne and Starshine go into Rainbow Dash’s office inside of the New Wonderbolt Academy. Rainbow Dash says, “Sorry to have called you in after your wedding yesterday but we are having problems with bandits raiding caravans near the ruins of Ponyville. I am ordering the Wonderbolts to find and stop this group of bandits before they become a problem. Once they are taken care of we can go on to further secure the trade routes throughout Equestria. This will be our first step in rebuilding Equestria back to what it was. These bandit scumbags have to learn that the days of raiding and pillaging are over with. A new sun has arisen over Equestria and we will make sure they know it.” Airborne looks at Starshine who nods then says, “Sure we are ready for whatever you have for us.” Rainbow Dash replies, “That’s the spirit. Report to Spitfire in one hour near the barracks, make sure you have gathered all of your gear from the armory and have stocked up on plenty of supplies cause you will be out there for some time.” As Airborne leaves Rainbow Dash’s office she says, “Please watch your back Airborne and take care.” Airborne nods and replies, “I will be fine Rainbow Dash don't worry about me.”
Airborne joins Starshine in the hall outside of Rainbow Dash’s office and asks, “So are you ready?” She nods her head and says, “Yeah, so let’s go. Maybe we will be back before dinner.” Airborne chuckles and trots out of the Academy towards the armory. Walking inside he grabs All Equestrian from a locked footlocker along with Gust and Thunder placing the weapons in their respective holsters. Starshine helps Airborne into his armored barding then Airborne does the same for her. Airborne places his weapons into his utility barding then leaves the armory with Starshine trailing behind him. Approaching the barracks Spitfire and Soarin trot over to Airborne, Soarin smiles saying, "So, are the newly weds ready to kick some bandit flank?" Starshine replies, "Yes, we are. Although I don't know why you are so happy about that?" Soarin replies, "Well these bandits need a good kick in the flank, it's not like we can ask them nicely to stop raiding caravans." Airborne looks at Spitfire saying, "We are ready when do we leave?" Spitfire smiles and says, "We were just waiting for you two. Now that you are ready we can get going." Spitfire turns with Airborne, Soarin and Starshine following behind her ahead Fleetfoot, Misty Fly, and Fire Streak finish checking their equipment. Fire Streak sees Airborne and Starshine saying, "Well now here are our other two newest members. About time you go here we thought we would have to send out a search party to go and find you." Starshine notices Sunrise as she leaves the barracks with Cloudhammer slung over her back. Sunrise says, "Glad to see you guys again." Airborne nods and replies, "So let's go already before Soarin makes any more wise cracks." Soarin rolls his eyes then says, "Wise cracks are my specialty."
Spitfire says, "Alright everypony listen up! Our job is simple find the bandits attacking the trade caravans near the ruins of Ponyville and stop them. Now that everypony is here let's get this done and get back without anypony getting hurt. Any questions? Good! See you all soon!" Spitfire then stretches her wings and takes off followed by Soarin and the rest of the Wonderbolts. Sunrise turns and says, "Hopefully we won't be gone for too long. Rainbow Dash wants me to give a presentation on our trip into the Tomb to the newest cadet class." She then flaps her wings soars into the air, Airborne quickly follows after her with Starshine by his side. Looking back at New Cloudsdale as it disappears in the could cover then he turns wondering what other adventures awaited for him beyond the horizon of tomorrow. Whatever it was he knew that the power of friendship would see them through whatever the worst of the Equestrian Wasteland could throw at them. Because if he was together with his friends anything was possible with them by his side and maybe all this could be Equestria’s second chance to be born anew from the ashes of the Old World.
The End.
Author's Note
Part Eight of Fallout Equestria: M.I.A. enjoy and don't forget to give it a thumbs up and leave a comment!!!
Fallout copyrighted to Bethesda Softworks
My Little Pony Friendship is Magic copyrighted to Hasbro Inc.
Fallout Equestria copyrighted to Kkat.
All other characters are copyrighted to me.
