• Published 22nd Aug 2013
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Fallout Equestria: Revamp - midworld1999



>Lifesigns Of Subject Codename: "Harvest" Read: Deceased >Project: Reflection Activating For Subject Codename: "Harvest"

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Chapter 12: The Loser

Sector: Radioactive Station
100 Years 10 Months 29 Days PSR

Whatever Mike's people did to Wick's shoulder, it worked wonders. A wound that had been healing slowly over the past three weeks was reduced to a scar in one night.

"Can we get some of that shit to go?" asked Wick.

"Afraid not," answered Mike. "We used one of our pre-war healing potions. Back then they really knew how to make them. Thing is, there aren't many left. Used to be, around a hundred years ago, you could find them just about anywhere. Nowadays, they're much rarer. Some people brew their own to sell, and they're useful, but not as potent, except for maybe a couple zebras. Oh, and the buffa–"

"Okay, okay. Just a yes or no would've been fine, I didn't need a speech."

Mike laughed. "Sorry. Just my inner radio host I guess. Anyways, we can't spare any more. If you find a building that hasn't been looted yet, you might have a better chance of finding them."

"Well, thanks for the supplies you could spare," I said. Golden Mike had provided us with a letter of recommendation, some assorted bandages of the non-magical variety, a pressure cooker, and a small walkie talkie looking thing.

"It's tuned to my personal channel," he'd said, giving me the walkie. "If you're ever in a bind, give a shout. Anyone under my employment nearby will come if they can. I have a dozen or so people floating around the NCR. And I'll do whatever I can to help. But only call if it's a real emergency."

"Wow. Thank you."

"Not a problem. If you're ever down this way again, stop by. We'd be glad to have you."

Just before we said our goodbyes, Mike gave us one more piece of advice.

"Head for Kleco first. It's on the southern border of the NCR and these grasslands. It'll be a good place to stop for a rest, catch your breath before the final stretch. Good folks there."

"Alright, we'll stop by. And thanks again."


Sector: Kleco
100 Years 11 Months 14 Days PSR

We made it up to Kleco without incident. It was a good two weeks of travel. We left all the drama of Repentance behind, and although in the back of our minds we knew it couldn't last forever, we entered Kleco and the NCR with optimism.

Kleco was a mediumish town. The origin of the town's name was obvious to whoever entered it: a Sparkle Cola sign with the ends blown off by gunfire sat at the edge of the establishment, leaving only the letters K-L-E-C-O. Most of buildings were well kept, at least for leftovers from before the war. Almost all the windows had glass (with the exception of a few at the local bar), none of the apartments looked empty, and the road was actually asphalt, as opposed to the usual hardpack of the south. If this was what the NCR had to offer, I was liking it already.

Wick insisted that we rent a motel room. "We haven't slept in a bed since Radioactive Station, and we have the money to pay for it. Just because I'm part dragon doesn't mean I like sleeping on the ground. Or on piles of stolen valuables. Maybe I should try that..."

"Let's just get a motel room," Swiss interjected.

"Good," said Wick.

We bought a room for the night and headed upstairs to unload our things. We opened the door, and a new problem presented itself.

"Only two beds. Crap, didn't think of that," I groaned. "I guess I'll go downstairs and order myself a single. You girls can have this roo–"

"Wait!" shouted Swiss. Wick and I jumped, startled by her sudden outburst. "Um, sorry. What I meant was, uh, ordering a motel room is one thing, but getting two is just wasteful. We can share beds."

"Oh. You okay with that, Wick?"

She shrugged. "Fine by me. I don't mind sharing. Just as long as it's a bed."

"No!" she shouted again. "I mean, you're big and scaly. You'd take up to much room." Wick started to look angry, but then Swiss said, "Revamp is smaller. We can sleep in the same bed." Something must've suddenly clicked for Wick, because her entire demeanor changed.

"Oh... I see. Sure. I like having a bed to myself anyway. You two share."

Some sort of unspoken female code was passing between them, but having only one X chromosome, and being a pre-teenage colt, I couldn't decipher it. Later on I would realize a blind, deaf foal could've detected the implications.

"Okay, I guess. Hey, do you guys want to explore the town a bit? There's bound to be something to do around here, and I don't plan on spending my entire stay here in a motel room, as cushiony as the beds are."

Outside, the sun was setting. The street was bustling with activity, most of the town's residents heading in one direction; towards the bar.

I pulled a pegasi aside. "Hey, why's everyone heading for the bar?"

The pegasus laughed. "Tourist, eh? South, from the sound of it."

"Yeah, we're from out of town. What's going on at the bar?"

"The band's playing tonight. Not to mention drinks are half off. That always draws a crowd. And a little tip for you. Barkeep isn't too picky about minors. So drink up! Maybe you'll grow a few inches." The pegasus flew off, making a beeline for the bar.

"People in this town sure are cheerful," commented Swiss.

"Getting any weird vibes?" asked Wick.

"Nope. All clear up here," she answered, tapping her head.

"Then let's get a drink! Woo!" Wick flew off to the bar.

My Pipbuck suddenly beeped. I glanced at it's message.

>MAN YOU SHOULD'VE SEEN THEM KICKING EDGAR ALLEN POE

Complete nonsense. I sighed and turned to Swiss. "Frickin' thing's still a mystery. You'll stick by me, won't you? Don't wanna be stuck alone tonight."

Swiss blushed. "Uhm... yeah, of course I'll stick by you."

"Awesome. Let's go check out that band."


When we finally sifted through the crowd into the bar, we found it to be surprisingly spacious. There was room for everyone to move around without difficulty, with a large area for tables and moving around and a stage, for whoever was playing tonight. Maybe there was a spell on the bar to make it bigger inside. That would be expensive, but if the sheer number of patrons were anything to judge by, they could afford it, even if they left their windows broken for some reason.

We found Wick at the bar, a bottle of Apple Whiskey already in her claw. I remembered my parents drinking that sometimes. Just small doses in paper cups gave them hangovers the next day.

"I'd be careful with that, Wick. It's strong."

"Yeah, the barkeep already told me. He bet me free drinks all night that I couldn't finish a bottle. This is my third, and I don't even have a buzz. I'm not sure whether to be happy or sad."

Swiss's jaw was swinging like a hinge. I laughed. "Dragon metabolism, I guess. Hey Wick, pass me two glasses." I poured some of Wick's drink into the glasses and held one out to Swiss. "I think one or two will probably be our limit."

"Yeah, probably. Maybe Wick's gotta belly made of lead or something."

"Damn straight!"

A voice came from the stage. "Attention patrons. Inebriates of all ages. Tonight we're proud to present Kleco's famous band of one, the Nutball himself, Jonah!" The crowd went wild as the curtain raised. This guy must be popular around here.

The rising curtain revealed an empty stool with a microphone stand. After a moment, a young griffon, probably around fifteen or sixteen, walked on stage, an acoustic guitar swung over his back. He flapped up onto the stool, shifted the guitar to his front, and pulled the mike closer.

He cleared his throat and began:

"I'm a loser...

I'm a loser...

And I'm not what I appear to be

"Of all the love I have won or have lost

There is one love I should never have crossed

She was a girl in a million, my friend

I should have known I would lose in the end

"I'm a loser...

And I lost someone who's near to me

I'm a loser...

And I'm not what I appear to be

"Although I laugh and I act like a clown

Beneath this mask I am wearing a frown

My tears are falling like rain from the sky

Is it for her or myself that I cry?

"I'm a loser...

And I lost someone who's near to me

I'm a loser...

And I'm not what I appear to be

"What have I done to deserve such a fate

I realize I have left it too late

And so it's true, pride comes before a fall

I'm telling you so that you won't lose all

"I'm a loser...

And I lost someone who's near to me

I'm a loser...

And I'm not what I appear to be."

He continued to strum the guitar, continuing the song for around another minute, then slowly faded out. Almost immediately he began his next number.

"Wow. I can see why the town likes him," I said, taking a sip from my drink. I cringed internally at the burning taste, but forced myself to swallow it. Best not to give Wick the satisfaction.

"Wonder why they called him Nutball, though?" Wick gasped, having just chugged a bottle of Apple Whiskey. Show off.

The bartender answered the question. "That boy up there, he's crazy. Either that or he's a liar." He reluctantly popped open another bottle of whiskey and passed it to Wick.

Swiss frowned. "He looks normal to me."

"No, he's crazy," the bartender insisted. "Rolled into town a few years ago. Didn't know anything. Didn't know what the NCR was. Never heard of electricity. Fuck, hadn't seen a gun before! Kept talking to everyone who'd listen about doors or some shit. Course, eventually everyone got fed up with his shit and stopped listening.

"Lucky for him he's got a knack for songwriting. And performing. Yup, our Jonah knows his way around a chord, or whatever the fuck they call them. Seems like he has a new set every week!"

>THE SUBTLETY OF A SLEDGEHAMMER
>GEE, I WONDER IF HE'LL BE A CHARACTER?

"What was that?"

"Pipbuck. Does that sometimes."

"So all his music is original?" asked Wick. The barkeep nodded. "That's impressive. Props to him, even if he is Nutball."

It was a good night. We danced to the music. We talked with youthful optimism of the future (helped along by the pleasant buzz in the back of our heads), of what we would do in the NCR with our money, once we fixed up the Hope Facility. And, of course, we listened to the music. The night was going well up until Jonah performed his final song.

"And now, folks, it is almost time to clear out. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. Jonah, play us out!"

"Hey Jude, don't make it bad

Take a sad song and make it better

Remember to let her into your heart

Then you can start to make it better"

I smiled at this final number. It was somber and melancholy, but I liked it. I looked to my friends to gauge their reactions. Swiss was leaning on my shoulder, a bit tipsy, and had a dreamy smile on her face. Wick–

I flinched back. Wick was seething. She glared with terrifying intensity at the griffon on stage, smoke streaming in angry puffs from her nostrils, her lips drawn back in a sharp toothed snarl. But I thought I sensed something else as well. Confusion, and fear too.

I tensed as the song came to close.

"Nah nah nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah, hey Jude..." The griffon let his voice fade out.

The crowd cheered and the griffon bowed. The curtain closed and the patrons began slowly making their way toward the door. Wick was shoving her way to the front.

I grabbed a dazed Swiss by the hoof. "Shit, she's pissed about something! C'mon, they'll kick us out or something if she does anything."

"You're–" hic "–holding my hoof, Revamp."

I ignored her. "C'mon!" I yanked her with me, ducking between the legs of the taller bar-goers to make my way to the front. Swiss stumbled after me, catching herself from falling with every step.

By the time we got out, Wick was darting around a corner toward the rear of the bar. I followed as fast as I could, Swiss still in tow. I found her stopped at the back door, glaring at it with flared nostrils and bared teeth.

"Wick," I said, "What are you doing? What the hell's wrong with–"

The door opened, and Jonah, the griffon performer, stepped out, a guitar case nestled under his wing. Before he set more than a foot outside, Wick grabbed him by the neck, pulled him back, and slammed him into the brick wall of the building.

"What the fuck!" I shouted.

Wick ignored me. "Where'd you get that song?" she growled, her voice laced with poison. Any answer the poor griffon gave would be the wrong one, I could see it in her face.

"I... what?"

"The song, motherfucker! That's his song. That's Bert's song! Where'd you get it?"

"I... what song?"

"The last one! 'Heeey Juuude.' That one! That's his song!"

"Wick, stop!" I begged.

The griffon was flustered. "I wrote it. I used to sing it for my little sister whe–"

"SHUT UP! You stole it! You stole it you... you..."

"Please calm down," said Jonah. "Maybe you've had too much to drink. You were downing bottles in there."

"Oh, so you were watching me too?" she snarled.

"I always watch the cute mares–"

Wick socked him in the mouth. "I'm thirteen, you dick," she screeched.

"Wick, that's enough!" I said. "You're acting crazy! He didn't do anything!"

Jonah rubbed his beak with a talon. "Jeez. Nice punch you got there."

"Stop acting so... so..."

"Okay with the fact that I'm being interrogated and having the shit beaten out of me by some mare, two years younger than me, for no reason?" he asked. "What can I say? I try to keep a positive attitude."

>AND I'M NOT WHAT I APPEAR TO BE

"What's that?"

"None of your business. Now, you're coming with us!"

"Wick–" I started.

"Revamp, shut up," she said. "This important. He's coming back with us to the hotel."

"Hotel? Already? At least take me out dinner fir–"

Wick screamed in his face. Green flames poured out her mouth, scorching the griffon's head. His entire face turned the color of soot. He opened his eyes and coughed out a cloud of black smoke. "I'll shut up."


Wick practically carried Jonah back to our room. I sheepishly tried to make myself invisible, while she blatantly ignored the stares we got from the town-goers. There were a fair number of wolf whistles on our way back.

Swiss had been given the room key. She missed several times before I took the key from her and unlocked it myself.

"Hey man," she slurred. "That's not cool. I had that door hole right where I wanted it."

Jonah snickered. "Door hole."

I pushed the door open and led Swiss to our bed. She fell onto it in a daze, somewhere between sleep and drunken consciousness.

"So Wick," I asked. "What now? What do you plan on doing now that you've kidnapped this town's favorite musician?"

"I'm gonna ask him some questions."

"I'll axe you some quessons!" muttered Swiss.

"Swiss, go to sleep," I sighed.

"You godda sleep," she said. "Serusly though, geddin here, I'm cold."

"Put on a blanket."

"It's not enooouugh!"

"I'd say get a room," said Jonah, "But you guys beat me to it!" He cackled like it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard.

"I'd shut up if I were you," said Wick, "and answer my questions."

"Which one?"

"What?"

"Which one do you want me to do, shut up or answer your questions?"

"Do you want me to hit you again?"

"I feel like this is a trick question."

Wick punched him in the beak.

"Ow! Do you lift?"

"Is this funny to you? Are you enjoying this?"

"Kind of. Better than being avoided all week until music night."

Wick sighed. "Are you going to answer my questions?"

Jonah made a show of looking like he was thinking. "Hmm... yes. Conditionally. I'd like–"

"We'll work it out later. Okay, first question. Did you ever know a griffon by the name of Cuthbert?"

"No."

"How do I know you're not lying?"

"Why would I?"

"I don't know. Why would you know the song Cuthbert sang to me as a filly?"

Jonah shrugged. "I really can't say."

Wick stared at him long and hard. Jonah held her gaze without flinching. After about half minute, Wick stopped. "Alright, fine. Next question. When'd you write that song?"

"I already told you, I wrote it for my little sister."

"Oh yeah, what's her name? Where is she now?"

The griffon stiffened. "Gone."

"What the fuck's that mean?"

"I lost her," he muttered.

"Her name?"

Jonah coughed and wiped his face. "Lenore."

"Psh. You griffon's have the weirdest names."

"Mom said it was from–"

"Don't give a fuck. Where are you from?"

"The griffon kingdoms."

"Far away. Why'd you come here?"

"Didn't have much choice in the matter."

"Stop being so fucking vague!"

"It all happened fast. It's hard to remember everything."

"You crossed hundreds of wheels so fast you can't remember how?"

"Wheels?"

"Wheels, miles, whatever. How the fuck do you do that?"

"I don't know."

"Yes you do. Just don't want to tell me."

"Listen, it makes just as little sense to me as it does to–"

"Will yooto shaddup!?" moaned Swiss. "I'm tryna sleep, and I'm cold, and Revamp won't take a hint, and my head hurts, and I'm tryna sleep. Do it in the morning."

"We can do it any old time you like. By the looks of it, you're travelers, right? I'm going with you," said Jonah.

"What!? No!" growled Wick.

"That's your end of the deal that you wouldn't listen to. I'm coming with you. Don't care where your going, I'm going too."

"Go on your own."

"I'd die in like, ten seconds. Don't know how to use a gun."

"Go with someone from town."

"They think I'm crazy."

"I think you're crazy."

"Yeah, but you'll still do it. Cause you've still got questions."

"You little–"

"Shaddup!" groaned Swiss.

Wick glared at Jonah again. "Fine. But tonight, you sleep on the floor."

Jonah shrugged. "Meh. Slept on worse."

I was too tired and buzzed by that point to give much of a shit about what was going on. I settled on letting it settle itself in the morning. Jonah seemed okay to me, and if he wanted to come, I wasn't going to hurt him to stop him. I'd have to talk to Wick about antagonizing him (I knew she would), but I thought we could work through it.

I tucked in next to Swiss and flicked off the light switch with my magic. Swiss scooted closer. I nudged her back and tried to sleep.

I sort of remember being woken up at some point. It sounded like a radio was playing on low volume. I checked my PipBuck, but that wasn't it. Someone must've been playing it another room. After a few more minutes I was asleep again.

Comments ( 8 )

the pipbuck kind of reminds me of the Wayward Vagabond in Homestuck with the random allcaps comments.

This should have more thumbs-ups. Honestly, I can't tell if Jonah's an obvious States expat or you're trying to pull a fast one.

Also, the foreshadowing up to Swiss being a changeling was GLORIOUS. I got it at the species detector, and after looking more closely at the pages afterwards I saw a lot of hints. The priming you did with the Changeling Espionage poster was REALLY good.

4551256

>MAN YOU SHOULD'VE SEEN THEM KICKING EDGAR ALLEN POE

This is a hint to Jonah's origin.

4552825

oh right

Well I can try and reason it out but at the very least he knows things about other dimensions. I wasn't entirely sure how to take "man you should've seen them kicking edgar allen poe" because of various Wild Wasteland stuff (yes I realize the head swimming), but it would be interesting to know how Bert knows Hey Jude. Maybe he's also an earth expat. A lot of them, it seems.

Also I'm thinking about running a campaign soon and the Pink Chip gave me the idea for the "main" NPC, since there always is at least a couple, as an A.I. the players acquire early on and it learns from them. Yeah, only a tangential relation but I figured I should say thanks. I would like to see more of the Pink Chip though.

Man, good stuff, this. Really looking forward to, and hoping for, more.

Can I have Revamp and Wick show up in Fallout: Equestria - The Happy Moon Chronicles?

So what was the project supposed to do anyway?
It appears to have been to restore a clone of celestia and luna in the event that something happened to them, this is supported by canon of FoE as celestia was uploaded so she isn't "dead" but luna died.
If you built something like this as a failsafe you would build it to have all the information it needed in the event no one was around to help it and it would be created fully formed and ready to help rather than as a filly that wouldn't be able to help for years.

They are accused that they are going to raise some hellspawn or something in the future that will kill them by the zealots which implies the project is a foal (or the zealots could just be bsing) but that doesn't make any sense.

Nebula seems related but she parted ways without anything ever being discovered, her explanation doesn't make any sense, how could she have done anything with astronomy in the past if the skies have been closed by the pegasi since the war?

nooooooo it's dead it was good while it lasted

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