If there was one thing Braeburn was starting to learn about The Hoove, and, by proxy, what remained of Equestria, it was that it really didn’t skip out on the interior decor.

As Braeburn and Translucent walked along the marble pathway of the Heybarrel, they had been greeted with sights that made Braeburn want to throw up again. He saw spikes with ponies heads on them as they walked on the ground floor, some of them decaying, others still fresh. Slumped over skeletons were on the benches and chairs, some of them holding each other, others were strown about, either trying to reach loved ones, or trying to make it to safety. Wooden barricades were planted over some of the stores, a last ditch defense against the Balefire, or maybe just a place where ponies would be able to lay their heads without fear of death.

Judging by the numbers of bodies in them, it didn’t work out.

What was really disconcerting though was the way Translucent seemed to be completely okay with the sight of it all, she merely went about looting and stealing whatever she could, whenever she could. Nonplussed by the gore, she was casually tossing bodies out of the way if they were holding onto something good. She was finding a lot of useful stuff, but at the same time, it really unnerved Braeburn with the way she was going about this, as if this was nothing more than spring cleaning for her. They had stumbled upon a few of the ghouls they were supposed to clear out, but a few well-placed bullets later, they had bit the dust too. Along the way, with ammo at an all-time low, Braeburn had picked up a lead pipe, courtesy of some ghoul who had it impaled through the chest. It was somewhat strange to hold it in his hooves, grasping it with his metal fingers, but he was getting used to it, kinda.

Okay, not really, the shock of it all was still firmly rooted in his horned head.

Giving it a practice swing, Braeburn sighed as it came to a rest in his palm, the cold metal resting against the inside of his hooves provided no comfort.

“Something the matter?” Translucent asked, looking over her shoulder.

“Just….still trying to get used to these darn things.” Braeburn admitted.

Looking at his fingers, Translucent tilted her head, “Yeah, what’s it like? If you don’t mind me asking.”

Flexing his fingers, Braeburn cringed at the feeling as the metal touched his hoof, “It’s...hard to say. Ah can’t feel with ‘em, and ah have to look down to see what ah’m holding. Same with these...things.” Lifting his knee to show his metal foot, Braeburn made one of the flaps...well, flap.

“Do they hurt?”

Braeburn shook his head, “Nah, just...they’re rightfully heavy, is all.”

“Speaking of those things,” She gestured to the insides of Braeburn’s metal foot, “I’m thinking you should find something to cover up the insides, don’t want something falling in there and breaking something.”

Braeburn nodded in agreement, but raised an eyebrow, “Where do ya reckon we can find something like that?”

Translucent shrugged, “Eh, probably in one of these old stores, there’s bound to be something in one of them.”

“That sounds….nice.” Braeburn muttered.

“....You okay there Burn?” Translucent asked with a worried look on her face.

“.....No.”

“.........You wanna talk about it?”

“....No.”

The awkward silence that followed filled the empty mall, unsure of what to say, or if she should say anything at all, Translucent kept her mouth shut as they walked along the old, broken pathway. As they walked, Braeburn tried to ignore a certain feeling welling up in his gut. It was a mix of anger and sadness, hatred and fear. It had been growing in him ever since he left the Stable, gnawing at him, worming into the black matter of his brain, he had hoped that the feeling would simply go away, but, it was becoming increasing apparent that would not be the case.

He was hoping, in the back of his mind, that he was trapped in a nightmare, in some dream he couldn’t wake up from.

But the purple unicorn beside him bumped him on the shoulder, and the thought was dismissed.

“Burn, you there?” She asked.

“Ah’m here.” He said, then added under his breath, “Barely.”

“There’s an employee stairwell over there,” She gestured to a fragile looking door in the corner of the mall, “I figure we should see where it goes, gotta make sure we clear this place out for Spike and all.”

Giving it a moment’s thought, Braeburn nodded, “Alright, lead the way.”

As it turns out, the entrance Translucent had pointed out had lead them into the underground of the mall, down into the depths where a very distinct, and familiar smell lingered in the air.

Needless to say, it was shit, literally.

“Ewwww.” Translucent groaned, stepping around a pile of mush that seemed to be glowing and into a dark and musty corridor.

Holding up his Pipbuck and checking the map, “Ah think we wandered into the sewer system.” Fiddling with the dials, Braeburn squinted at the green screen, “Yep, says here: Heybarrel sewerage.”

“That explains the smell.” Translucent grumbled, peering into the darkness as she did, “Hey, that thing got a light on it?”

Spending a few minutes playing with the Pipbuck, Braeburn, after many trials and errors, finally managed to turn on the light function. As the environment around them became awashed in green, Translucent looked around the seemingly empty and long corridor, then nodded decisively, “Alright, we’ve seen it all, let’s go back.”

“...We just got here.” Braeburn pointed out.

“And we saw all we needed to see!” With a wave of her hoof, Translucent grinned, “Come on, let’s go back upstairs! There could be more ghouls on the second floor, and we gotta find some coverings for your legs! Can’t find those down here!”

“Just lemme look around some,” Braeburn said, “Ah think them Ghouls might be spawning from down here.”

Translucent rolled her eyes, “They’re feral ponies Burn, not magical constructs that just suddenly show up out of nowhere for a convenient enemy to fight. Besides, ever heard of the saying, “Curiosity killed the Brahmin.”

“What’s a-”

“Mutated cow.” Translucent said sharply, fidgeting in place, “Remind me to give you the full lecture later on the fauna of the Wasteland.”

“...Are ya afraid of the underground?” Braeburn asked.

“...Let’s just say I don’t like tight spaces very much.” Translucent muttered, “Listen, can we just go? I’d rather not be down here longer than I have to be.”

“Well, go on up if ya like, ah’m gonna stay down here for a bit and take a look around.” Lifting his arm up, Braeburn held the glowing Pipbuck up for Translucent to see. “Don’t worry bout me none, ah ain’t getting lost with this thing on my arm.”

Without waiting for a reply, Braeburn turned and started walking, he only made it a few steps before Translucent popped up beside him, grumbling something under her breath.

“Ah thought ya didn’t like tight spaces.” Braeburn said.

“I don’t.” Translucent muttered, “But I don’t like leaving my pack mule to wander about on it’s own, so I’m coming along.”

“Ya know, ah don’t think we ever properly agreed on me lunging around all yer stuff.” Braeburn pointed out.

“Oh, well….Shake on it?” Translucent suggested weakly, to her surprise, Braeburn just nodded

“Sounds good ta me.” Spitting into his hoof and holding it out, Braeburn looked at Translucent, clearly expecting her to take it.

Looking at it in confusion, Translucent tilted her head, “Errrmmm…..A spitshake, right?”

Braeburn grinned, “That’s right.”

“....For the Goddess.” Spitting into her own hoof, Translucent took Braeburn’s into her own and gave it a firm shake. Inwardly cringing at the feeling of slime on her coat, the unicorn forced a grin at Braeburn.

“And that right there’s an Appaloosa deal.” Braeburn said, a smile on his own face, “Second only to a Pinkie Promise in terms of seriousness.”

“What’s a Pinkie Promise?” Translucent asked.

“It’s something ya have to keep forever.”

In the deepest, darkest, reaches of their souls, places where both Braeburn and Translucent had never explored, or ever even knew of, they both heard one word being spoken to them, as clear as day and as loud as a bell: “Forever!”

“.....” The two of them were silent, an eerie feeling of dread creeping into their souls before Braeburn finally managed to speak up, “Didja hear that?”

Translucent nodded, cold drops of sweat going down her face, “...I did.”

“Oh, good.” Braeburn wiped the sweat off his brow, “Ah thought ah was hearing voices again.”

“....You’ve been hearing voices?” Translucent asked

“....Er, Ah….Ah don’t want to talk about it.” Turning around, Braeburn headed deeper into the labyrinth of tunnels and left Translucent behind him as he did.

“Trust is a two way street Braeburn…” The unicorn muttered, “Guess that’s something we both need to work on…”

As they traversed through the dark and smelly sewer system, it was becoming increasingly their search for any Ghouls was made all the more difficult by the fact Braeburn’s Pipbuck failed to supply a tracker this time, meaning they were more or less walking around blind. The only saving grace was the fact that every time they either went too far, or go through the wrong door, Braeburn would suddenly receive another blip on his radar, and they would start backtracking. The sad part was though, they seemed to be forced to stay in the general area, and that area was filled to the brim with more walking hazards then you could shake a stick at.

Ducking under one of the pipes, Braeburn was once again reminded of the horns located on his head were more of a hindrance than a boon as they clanged against a pair of low hanging pipes, throwing his head back as they did.

“When ah find the pony who put these rotten things on me…” Braeburn grumbled with a wince.

Rolling her eyes and lighting up the area with her horn, Translucent glanced around at the area they found themselves in, “Well, either we found either the world’s first underground arena, or we stumbled into a leftover movie set.”

Looking around, Braeburn had to admit, that thought wasn’t far off. The setting around them was like one of those old gladiator movies he heard about before the war fully kicked into high gear, the area was surprisingly large, large enough in fact, that it seemed to poke through the deteriorating ceiling and allow sunlight to bleed in. In the center of the room was a circular arena with various objects scattered about, broken beer bottles, empty oil barrels, and stands for sitting on. As he scanned the area, a thought struck him, turning to Translucent, Braeburn raised an eyebrow, “How do ya know what a movie is?”

Translucent snorted, “Please, I read.”

Before Braeburn could question her further, the sudden sound of shifting metal caught their attention, flicking her light off, Translucent motioned for Braeburn to follow her into the shadows in the corner of the room. Turning his own Pipbuck’s light, Braeburn joined her, quietly crouching behind some barrels. Well, as quietly as he could with his metal hooves creating a heavy “thump” with each step, ignoring the glare Translucent was sending his way, Braeburn watched as two ponies, a large earth pony with a yellow coat and a thin green unicorn, carried a large sack between. A sack which was kicking and screaming as best it could. The two ponies were dressed in red, or rather, as red as they could, odds and ends were strapped all over. Tires, pipes, pots and pans, whatever a pony could wear, they were wearing it.

“Raiders.” Translucent hissed under her breath, slowly bringing her shotgun up with her hoof.

“Hold on,” Braeburn whispered, “Don’tcha remember what Rail Spike said about those ponies that like red? Ah’m thinkin’ they might be those guys.”

Glancing at him, Translucent’s face scrunched up as she recalled that particular memory. Turning back to the two ponies who had made it to the center of the arena, Translucent shook her head and whispered back, “No, trust me, they’re raiders. See the BDSM gear?”

“How the bloody hell do ya know-” Braeburn’s sentence was cut off as Translucent shoved a hoof against his mouth and hissed.

“Shh!” Directing his attention back to the so called “raiders” at Translucent’s behest, Braeburn raised an eyebrow as the unicorn threw the sack out in front of them and undid the binding rope. From out of the sack emerged one of the stranger sights Braeburn had seen since waking up. There sat a bloody and injured pony, one eye swollen from a recent beating, the other eye tearing up from pain, one wing sprained and broken, the other tied to the side, claws clipped, and a lion’s tail sprayed out.

The “pony” sitting in the bag was a hybrid, the union of two races that produced a mixed result. Looking at the creature, Braeburn realized something. Back in Nelson, there was a Griffon and a pony that worked at the restaurant. The Griffon was protective of that pony when Rail Spike leered at her….were they?

…..Was he?

Whatever he was, the two red grabbed ponies didn’t seem to care, the unicorn levitated a baseball bat in front of him and held it up to the hybrid’s cheek. The top of the bat was covered in barbed wire, and it pricked against the flesh of the hybrid, causing a small amount of blood to be spilled.

“Now listen here,” The earth pony said, his voice a deep baritone and travelling well across the empty space, “It’s gonna work real simple like, me and the boys have got something planned for later, a bit of a get together. See, we got some new guys coming in, and well, we need to see if they’re up to snuff.”

“...W-why me?” The hybrid asked, his voice bloody, “I’m just a courier between our gangs, why are you kidnapping me?!”

The earth pony grinned, “See, the way I figure it, if you can wander ‘round the Hoove without getting yourself killed, you must be pretty strong and useful, so if you can survive these here tryouts, then you can join the Dragoons.”

“But I’m already apart of Polk-”

The earth pony cut him off with a disturbing “Shushush.” Almost...tenderly placing a hoof on the Hybrid’s muzzle, the earth pony smiled, “I know, but there’s no rule that you can’t be apart of two gangs.” To add to the Hybrid’s growing horror, the earth pony leaned in way too close, “Make that, my gangs...Soon enough, that is.” The earth pony added.

Braeburn frowned, those punks needed to be taught a lesson, and the lead pipe on his belt seemed fit for the job. He was about to go over there and pummel them into submission, but a hoof on his shoulder stopped him from delivering righteous justice.

“What are you doing?” Translucent hissed.

“Ah’m gonna do something.” Braeburn whispered back, “Don’t worry, Ah’ll leave ‘em breathing.”

To his confusement, Translucent just shook her head, “No, I mean, don’t be stupid, just shoot them with S.A.T.S.”

Braeburn raised an eyebrow, “S.A.T.S?”

“You know,” Translucent waved her hoof, “Your Pipbuck’s targeting system.”

Braeburn stared blankly at her.

“.....Right, well, questions for later.” She mumbled, “Okay, there’s something I gotta know, are you willing to kill?”

Braeburn looked away, his face contorted with thought, but without a word, he hopped over the barrels and approached the two bullies, lead pipe in hand.

Alerted to his presence by the heavy footfalls, the two ponies and hybrid turned to Braeburn. A mix of horror and surprise were written on their faces as he approached.

“Evenin’” Braeburn greeted, resting the lead pipe against his shoulder in a casual manner.

“It’s midday.” The earth pony deadpanned.

“Ah, well, my bad.” Braeburn put on an uneasy smile, the same kind he wore when he first met Little Strongheart, “Ah don’t suppose ya’ll be willing to let that….uh...What’s your name son?” He asked, turning his attention to the injured child.

“G-glenn.” The pony-griffon stuttered.

Glenn? Where had he heard that name before…Wait….

“Oh, speaking of, if you see a strange looking pony out there, could ya let him know that his parents are looking for him? Goes by the name of Glenn.”

“Glenn? That short fer something?”

“Yep, but don’t worry, you’ll know ‘em when you see ‘em. He’s not the kind you can mistake.”

Braeburn blinked, coming out of the memory to find that the earth pony had moved up closer to him while he had been distracted.

“What the hell happened to you?” The earth pony asked, looking at his metal feet, “What, you lose a fight with a Hellhound?”

Braeburn stared blankly at the earth pony, trying to figure out what in Equestria a Hellhound was. Was it some kinda gang? Shaking his head to clear away the wayward thoughts, he gestured the kid, “Listen, ah’m hoping that you’ll be kind enough to hand that youngster over ta me.”

“Why?” The earth pony sneered, a disgusting and lewd look crossing his face, “You his “owner?”

Braeburn didn’t know what the hell the earth pony met by that, but judging by the face he was making, he didn’t want to know. “Fraid ah don’t know much of what yer talking about, but ah do know his family’s looking for ‘em, and ah’d rather see them returned safe and sound if’n ya’ll don’t mind.”

“You’re mighty brave, I’ll give you that.” The earth pony said, “So I’ll give you a chance, want to join the Dragoons? We’ll be undergoing new management sometime soon, but I assure you that we are one of the more premier factions of the Hoove.”

Dragoons, so these guys were the gang Rail Spike mentioned, what was it Betsy had said about them? “Survival of the fittest,” right? What did that mean? Survival of whoever could run the fastest or something? Lift the most? Farm the most apples?

Pushing those thoughts aside, Braeburn looked the yellow pony square in the eye, “Gonna have to refuse that one.” Braeburn said bluntly, “Seein’ as how ya foalnapped somepony.”

“I prefer to think of it as aggressive recruitment.” The earth pony replied.

“Regardless, ah’m going to have to go with “no.” Now will ya kindly hoof Glenn over?” Braeburn asked, silently shifting his grip on the lead pipe.

“Well, seeing as you refused my offer, I will refuse yours.” The earth pony rebutted.

“Now see…” Braeburn lifted the pipe off his shoulder, “Ah was hoping ya’d say that.”

Before the dumb pony could do anything, his face was introduced to the overhead swing of Braeburn’s lead pipe.

It was a very non-committal relationship, as when the yellow pony stumbled back, bleeding from a forehead wound, Braeburn shoved him aside and charged the thin unicorn, who, in a surprisingly movement of clarity, actually brought up the barbed wire bat to defend himself from Braeburn’s horizontal swing.

Keeping the bat steady in a magical aura, the unicorn knocked the lead pipe aside with deftness that defied his lanky appearance. Swirling the bat around like some kind of buzz saw, the green pony swung the bat at Braeburn’s head in a horizontal arc. Barely bringing the pipe up to defend himself in time, Braeburn winced as the metal pipe brushed against his head, the thin metal unable to completely halt the velocity of the bat’s swing as it flung out of his grasp. Pivoting back on reflex, Braeburn felt a weight on his waist shift around, and mentally chided himself for forgetting that he had two guns on him. Reaching for his revolver, Braeburn managed to bring it bear in front of him.

Just in time for it to be smacked away by the unicorn’s next swing.

“....Well that’s just downright unhelpful.” Braeburn said.

“Never bring a gun to a bat fight.” The unicorn grinned, then swung at Braeburn’s head.

Braeburn brought up his arm to defend himself, only to find the action unneeded. The green pony’s attention was soon diverted to the hybrid that was about to maul his face.

“This is for foalnapping me!” Glenn roared, and threw a punch. It was a weak attack, lacking any real power behind it thanks to the injuries he had accumulated, but it was enough. The thin unicorn stumbled back from the blow, his magical grasp on the bat fading and leaving him wide open.

Needless to say, the unicorn’s was soon full of stars when Braeburn’s curled metal fingers collided against his skull.

As the unicorn tumbled over on the ground and stayed that, Braeburn nodded to Glenn, “Thank ya kindly.”

“Yeah,” Glenn gulped, his breath coming in ragged waves, “no problem.”

Now that he had a better look at the Griffon-pony, Braeburn had to raise an eyebrow. If he were to compare Zecka and Glenn against each other, then he would say that Glenn was definitely the most visually distinct of the two. Due to their similar autonomy and appearance, a zebra-pony hybrid wouldn’t look that different from either of the two races, aside from being slightly taller than the average pony and having stripes covering your body.

Glenn on the other hoof, looked less like a pony per say, and not exactly like a griffon either. For one, he didn’t have a beak.

Actually, he looked more like somepony had decided to see what would happen if you just stuck a pony’s head on a griffin's body and made the entire thing fluffier than usual. So, what would that make him? A Hippogriff? A sphinx?

….Ponygriff?

Well, either way, Glenn was definitely quite young, probably no older than sixteen or seventeen. His mane was appropriately spiked as well, though looking at the faded yellow made Braeburn’s head hurt. His coat color...actually, make that colors, were of two different pigments. His head, aside from his mane, was a shade of brown, but the rest of his body from the neck down was a shade of dark teal. His one good blue eye was looking at Braeburn in a manner that reeked of pure exhaustion. In fact, he looked ready to fall over just from standing upright.

“Are ya alright?” Braeburn asked.

“I’m...fine….” Glenn said, gasping for breath and clutching his chest, “Who….are you?”

“Ah’m Braeburn and ah-”

“Are SO dead!”

Turning around at the sound of the voice, the earth pony who had taken the head wound managed to get to his hooves and pull out a small pistol from somewhere on his body. It was held in a shaky mouth, but pointed at them.

Growling at them with a lot of blood going down his muzzle and onto the floor, the yellow pony looked like a stiff breeze would knock him over. Despite this though, he somehow managed to keep himself up and aiming at the two.

“Stupmid...littlish…” The pony growled out, his voice muffled by the pistol and obviously suffering massive head trauma, “Ah’m gonna-”

His next words were cut off when the discharged of a shotgun echoed throughout the cavern, and a mess of bloody bits fell to the ground in a shower of blood as the earth pony’s head exploded.

“Gee Brae-Brae, what would you do without me?”

From out of the shadows, Translucent appeared, the barrel of her shotgun smoking as she trotted forward. Ejecting the shell, she greeted Glenn with an easy smile, “Ho there, name’s Translucent, I take you’re Glenn?”

“Y-yeaahhhuurrrgggh!”

Translucent winced as Glenn’s stomach decided to relive it’s contents all over Braeburn’s metal feet.

“...Ah don’t suppose ya know what a sponge is, right?” Braeburn asked hopefully.

Translucent just shook her head.

“....Great, let’s just get goin’.”

Rail Spike groaned for what seemed to be the fifth time that day. Nelson was always going to have problems, hell, he couldn’t remember a day in his undead life when he didn’t have some manner of shit to attend to. Some days it was food shortages, some days it was problems with the water purifier, some days it was just trying to keep old Betsy from raiding the drug stash.

Today?

Today he had to deal with just closing the damn gate.

“It’s stuck.” Was Duct Tape’s brilliant diagnosis.

Resisting the urge to beat the unicorn’s head into a bloody pulp, Rail Spike rubbed his head and waited for a response from the unicorn, who just stared back at the Ghoul.

“....Well?!” Rail snapped.

Duct Tape blinked, “Well what?”

“Why is it stuck?!”

“Because the gears are rusty and we need new ones.”

Trying his hardest to not strangle his flippant friend, Rail Spike slowly approached Duct Tape to choke the life out of his neck.

Hey, nopony said he was trying very hard.

His murder attempt was cut off when the signature heavy footfalls of one stallion out of time and his good looking friend appeared around the corner.

Translucent was lugging something behind her in a magical grasp, and Braeburn seemed to be equipped with a few new accessories, the most prominent of which was a right shoulder pad that was made out of leather.

“There you two are.” Rail Spike greeted, walking up to the Braeburn and Translucent as they approached the gates of Nelson. Stopping in front of them, Rail Spike spied the barbed baseball bat poking out behind Braeburn’s shoulder, with Translucent sporting a small pistol resting on her front left leg, “Good to see you made it back, it’s getting late. Did you take care of the ghouls like I asked?”

“About that...” Braeburn said.

Translucent shrugged, “We got a little side tracked.”

Stepping to the side to let Rail Spike see, the ghoulish pony was saw what Translucent was helping along. The limping sight of one hybrid named Glenn, his wings in a cast in bandages and an eye that was recently attended to.

“Shit son, what happened to you?” Rail asked, holding up a decaying hoof to Glenn’s cheek.

“...Dragoons…” Glenn mumbled, “Assholes jumped me.”

“Damn.” Rail Spike breathed, “What happened to them?”

“We knocked one and took his stuff.” Translucent said cheerfully, “We killed the other one and also took his stuff.”

“....Ya’re a regular kleptomaniac, ya know that?” Braeburn said dryly.

“I don’t know what that word means, and I don’t care!” Translucent cheered.

“You two are a regular comedy duo.” Rail Spike observed, feeling that headache increase with every word “Right, well, I take it you two didn’t clear out the ghouls then?”

“We got most of them.” Translucent said, glancing back from where they came, “But if you go there again, keep your guns ready.”

“Noted.” Turning around and looking at the gate, an idea began to worm it’s way into Rail Spike’s radioactive mind. It was a simple plan, but it was risky.

Well, not for him mind you, but for the two newcomers on the other hand…

“Listen, I’ve got another job for you.” Rail Spike said, looking over his shoulder at them, “The gate’s busted, we need another….What do we need Tape?” He asked, looking back at Duct Tape who was currently attending to the fence.

“A few new gears, mostly bevel ones” Duct Tape said, glancing at them, “Preferably non rusty ones by the way!” He added before going back to mending the wood with his magic.

“And why would we do this?” Translucent asked, raising an eyebrow, “In case you haven’t noticed, the sun’s setting, and I’d rather be indoors.”

“I’ll give ya a hundred caps.”

“Deal.”

Braeburn turned to look at her, his face caught in a war between amusement and horror, and it seemed amusement was winning the fight when Translucent fidgeted under his gaze.

“What?” She finally asked.

“Ya’re real fickle, ya know that?” Braeburn grinned.

“Yeah, well, shout it from the rooftops why don’t cha…” She mumbled.

“First chance ah get.” Braeburn reached up to tip his hat, but blinked when he felt nothing in between his hooves. Lowering his hand, Braeburn felt some heat rise to his cheeks before looking away in embarrassment.

Chuckling, Translucent walked by Braeburn, who quickly followed, “Heh, don’t worry, we’ll find you a hat while we’re out. Come on.”

“Ya know where we can find some?” Braeburn asked.

“No, but you do have a map on that Pipbuck of yours, we’ll find something easy.” Translucent said.

“Try the Thoroughbred estate.”

Stopping in their tracks with a confused look on their faces, the two of them stopped and looked to who had spoken.

Holding his one good claw up, Glenn pointed behind over the ridge line, “It’s an old settlement with chain fences everywhere, I’m sure there’ll be a few things there you could salvage.”

“Why hasn’t anypony looted it then?” Translucent asked.

“Because it’s been booby trapped.” Glenn said dryly, “Mines, tripwires, the works. But I know the place like the back of my talons, I can guide you through it.”

“Glenn,” Rail Spike spoke up, “You just got back, you sure you want to be heading out again?”

Glenn lowered his head, clearly lost in thought for a moment before looking directly at Translucent, “Fifty caps.”

Translucent narrowed her eyes, “Come again?”

“You want a guide? Pay me.” Glenn said bluntly, “Fifty.”

Her lips curving into a frown, Translucent glared, “Little runt, what makes you think-”

“Ya know the place?” Braeburn asked, suddenly cutting in.

Glenn nodded, “Yeah.”

“Alright, fifty it is then.” Braeburn glanced at Rail Spike, “Ah take those two at that restaurant are his parents?”

“You mean that pony and griffin? Yeah.” Rail Spike nodded, “Real nice folk, remind me to introduce ya later.”

“Tell ‘em that we found their son, but he’s gonna be out for a bit.” Braeburn said, “Don’t worry none, he’ll be back safe and sound.”

Rail Spike let out a low whinny that honestly sounded more like a beast’s growl then a pony’s, but he closed his eyes and let out a sigh, “Fine, but if he gets hurt again, it’s on you.”

“Ah ain’t expectin’ otherwise.” Placing his hands on his new belt, Braeburn let out a low sigh. He could almost feel Translucent trying to burn a hole in the back of his head with her eyes. Turning around, Braeburn could only give the unicorn a sheepish grin, but that did nothing to alleviate the hellish glare she was sending his way.

“His pay is coming out of your share.” She said bluntly.

“Alright.” Braeburn nodded.

Translucent looked at him for a few seconds, then groaned loudly, “Ugh, stop that.”

Braeburn blinked, “Stop what?”

“Stop that. You’re too polite!” Translucent complained, “Seriously, I’ve been pushing you around ever since I met you! I’ve only heard you swear, like, once! You’re a complete pushover!”

Braeburn titled his head, looking completely confused by her sudden outburst.

After several long seconds of staring, Translucent threw her hooves up in the air, “I give up….Let’s just go….” Walking away with a confused Braeburn in tow, Glenn raised an eyebrow in fasciation.

“Huh, they really are a comedy duo…” He muttered under his breath before hobbling to catch up with them.

As the three of them walked down the dirty and dusty roads, Braeburn felt something poke him on the back of the head. Placing his right hoof to the back of his head, Braeburn cringed as the cold metal of his “fingers” touched his dirty coat. Rubbing the back of his skull, he was once again reminded of the metal “spine” that lingered on him, possibly for the rest of his life. Would there be any way to undo what happened to him? Nightmare Moon came from the….moon, so surely it wouldn’t be impossible to return to normal, like a proud and proper pony.

Heh, “impossible.” If he wanted an example of what’s “impossible” then all he had to do was look at the world around him.

Moving his hoof back into view, Braeburn flexed the four digits to open and close. Open, and close.

Open, and close.

Open, and c-

“What are you doing?”

Looking to his left at the injured Glenn, Braeburn blinked once before shaking his head, “Just trying to get used to these damn things.”

Glenn pursed his lips, looking Braeburn over with his good eye, scrutinizing him. As he did, Braeburn felt a flare of irritation spike up as the hybrid examined him. He wasn’t some display for crying out loud! “If ya’re gonna look me over, at least do it when ah ain’t looking.” He said with more bite than he intended.

Braeburn immediately regretted his words when Glenn seemed to be taken aback by his harsh tone.

“Ah, shoot. Mighty sorry ‘bout that son.” Braeburn said, grumpily, “Ya didn’t deserve to have me bite at ‘cha like that.”

“Ah, no problem.” Glenn shrugged, then winced as he placed his talons to his shoulders.

Feeling a stab of pity at the action, Braeburn dug around in his knapsack and fished around for one of the healing potions Translucent had found.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Translucent spoke up, who was trotting a few feet ahead, “Don’t. Healing potions are better for immediate injures or otherwise major wounds. It’s better to just let his body heal naturally since he's all bandaged up.”

“So that’s why you didn’t give me any earlier….” Glenn grumbled.

A thought occurred to Braeburn, “That reminds me, do ya two think that Hydra could… ya know…” He held up one of his metal feet for emphasis.

Looking back at Braeburn, Translucent shook her head sadly, “Sorry but I wouldn’t recommend it. Since it just...regrows things, it’d probably just grow around whatever you’ve got in you and I can tell just by looking at you B, whatever’s in you wouldn’t mesh well with Hydra.”

“Right…” Braeburn felt his spirits fall as he examined his metal fingers yet again, “Heh, ya know, this reminds of this one mare ah dated back in high school. She was always going on about “hands” and something called “Humens.”

“High school?” Glenn asked, “What’s high….school?”

“Braeburn’s over 200, used to live in the pre-war world.” Translucent said, “Makes you wonder how many “dad jokes” he has saved up, huh?”

A wry grin appeared on Braeburn’s face, “Well, now that ya mention it…”

“Oh, dammit, should’ve kept my mouth shut.” Translucent groaned.

“Wanna know why Yaks have hairy coats? Fur protection.”

Translucent visibly winced, “Stop.”

“What did the pirate say on his 80th birthday? Aye matey!”

“Please stop.” Translucent begged.

“What did the ocean say to the shore? Nothin’, it just waved.”

“Whhhhhhhhyyyyyy?” Translucent looked to the heavens for salvation, and found none, “Why me? What did I do this deserve this pain?”

“What do ya call a fish with no eyes? A fshhh.”

“SOMEPONY PLEASE SAVE ME!” Translucent shirked, “Lightbringer! Take me now! Star Maiden, where are you?! Save me from these Celestia damned jokes!”

“What’s the scariest thing in geometry? A vicious circle!”

“ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHH!”

Unable to handle any more bad jokes, Translucent wheeled around and tackled Braeburn to the ground, trying to strangle the life out of him with her bare hooves. Braeburn, in turn, just laughed as she did.

Glenn rubbed his head as the two scrambled on the ground, “Yep, definitely a comedy duo.”

Walking past the two, taking care to avoid being caught up in their little scuffle, Glenn spied the top of a nearby hill and slowly made his way up it. His injuries doing him no favors as he progressed upwards. Slowly but surely he made his way up the hill, when he made it to the crest, his eyes, one of the few things given to him by his father, scanned the horizon. Thankfully, he didn’t have to look that far, the Thoroughbred Estate was right in front of him. Well, to call it an “Estate” was a lie, really. It was too far gone for any sort of title to be attached to it, but regardless, it was a three story building that for, the lack of a better term, was falling apart at the seams. As per the Hoove’s standard for decor, windows were boarded, the fence wall was rusty, and the walls, which Glenn imagined were once a healthy shade of green, were now a decaying gray. The wear and tear of the weather doing it’s number on this place, the pool….thing, was filled with radioactive water, and several of the outlying buildings were either about to or have caved in. The most damning thing though was the watch tower set up nearby. What was once a water tower had been turned into a sniper’s nest, the top pop was hollowed out, and a window overlooking the grassy front yard was all too easy to see. The strange thing was though, the sniper’s nest was pointing to the estate, not away from it like a proper guard post should be. As if whoever was up there had to keep watch on whoever was inside.

Shame too, the front yard of the building was prime farmland, completely free of stone and pavement that would prevent a harvest from being created. Nelson had some space, but not enough to actually grow food to maintain a surplus, especially after last winter.

Stupid Adepts….

“Oi Glenn, everything alright?”

Looking behind him, he saw Translucent finished attempting to murder Braeburn, and going by the rub hoof marks on his neck, she gave it a good try. As for the walking fossil himself, he appeared no worse for wear, aside from the horns and freaky metal bits, that is.

“Yeah, just scouting the land.” He replied.

“That the estate?” Braeburn asked.

Glenn nodded, “Yep, from what I can tell, it used to belong to some rich couple before the bombs fell.”

“Have you been here before?” Translucent asked.

“Once or twice, usually by flying by.” Glenn shrugged, then winced as pain shot up again, “I don’t suppose you would pass me one of those healing potions….”

“No.”

“Ah think these types of buildings used to be rented out to fancy rich colts and their marefriends.” Braeburn added, “Ah’ve seen a few of these things ‘fore the war started up. Never went inside any of ‘em myself cause ah never had enough.”

“Yeah, but once all those guns started selling, you made a few good mints huh?” Translucent

“If by that, ya mean bits, then not really.” Braeburn admitted, “The war tax was pretty heavy, hell, ah still haven’t paid off some of my student fees…”

“Oh...Well, at least you don’t have to worry about those anymore!” Translucent grinned weakly, “You know, since taxes don’t matter anymore.”

“Ah guess.” Braeburn smiled, a small, sad, wistful smile, “Ah guess a lot of don’t matter anymore….”

Setting down the hill, Braeburn walked away from the two. Glenn, raising an eyebrow, looked at Translucent, “What’s with him? One second he’s happy, the next...”

The unicorn merely sighed, “Hey, when you lose everything you’ve known and loved, you’re entitled to a few mood swings.”

“Hm, why are you sticking with him then?” Glenn asked bluntly.

“....Come again?”

Glenn rolled his eyes, “Why are you travelling with him? You his lover or something?”

Translucent knew that she had to catch up to Braeburn in order to prevent him from doing something stupid, and therefore, every second counted.

Despite that, she spent a few of them staring at the Ponygriff, trying to process what he had just suggested. When she did, she turned a shade of green, “Oh, oh hell no.” Shaking her head, her face was wrinkled with disgust, “Not in a million years. No offense to him and everything, but I’m really not interested in ponies who have more than one voices in their heads.”

Translucent had to hoof it to the kid, he barely seemed bothered by her reaction, if anything, he just looked bored. Whatever the case, Glenn just pressed on, “Ah, then why?”

“He’s my pack mule.” Translucent replied, “He carries all my stuff.”

“Yet he only has a single bag and a few pockets.” Glenn observed, “While you have…What, that cloak?”

“Enchanted bag.” Translucent shot back, “Real easy spell once you learn how.”

“I saw his hoof….hand, whatever, trying to find a health potion in it.” Glenn returned calmly, “I saw him touch the walls and bottom of the bag, not something an enchanted one would do.”

“Semantics.” Translucent said flatly, “Is there a point to this line of questioning?”

“Just curious, is all.” Glenn replied.

“Curiosity has it’s boundaries.” Translucent said, her voice low, “Didn’t your mother teach you it’s rude to pry?”

“Yes, but my father told me to do so anyway.” Glenn returned, “He’s not what I call, “subtle.”

“Neither are you, apparently.” Turning away from him, Translucent nodded towards the estate, “Come on, we’re paying you so it’s time to earn your keep.”

“Right.”

Going down the hill, it didn’t take very long for the two of them to catch up with the bipedal pony named Braeburn. In fact, he hadn’t made a lot of progress during Translucent’s and Glenn’s brief discussion, only making it past the rickety chain link fence.

“There ya two are, what kept cha?” Braeburn asked.

Translucent motioned to Glenn, “He’s a curious beaver.”

“What’s a beaver?” Glenn asked, but was ignored when Translucent just waved to the yard.

“Anyway, what’s up?” She asked.

“Well, ah tired going into the house...but…” Leaning down and picking up a small rock near his feet, Braeburn tossed it into the air, caught it casually, then chucked it into the yards.

Which then exploded, twice.

“What.” Translucent said, her voice completely deadpan, “What.”

“Mines.” Glenn said, “Huh, that’s new.”

“There weren’t any before?” Braeburn asked.

Scratching his head, Glenn just shrugged, “Yes….I think. I’ve never noticed because I was always flying.”

“And you didn’t mention this before?” Translucent snapped.

“Hey, I said it was booby trapped!” Glenn returned.

“And ya can’t use your wings to just fly across because of your injuries…” Braeburn crossed his arms, “Well, ah suppose we could go around….”

Glenn shook his head, “No dice, there’s no other entrance unless you can fly or jump really high. Or if you can teleport.” He added as an afterthought.

“Shoot.” Braeburn rubbed his head, “Well, we gotta get through anyway, any ideas?”

“Can’t we just disarm the mines?” Translucent asked, looking at Braeburn, “You served, right? Didn’t they teach you how to do that?”

Braeburn shook his head, “Ah, not really. Fancy contraptions were more of Screw’s thing.”

“Screw?” Translucent asked.

“Bolted Screw, one of my old squad mates.” Braeburn explained, “Kind of a jerk, but a good drinking buddy.”

Translucent tilted her head, “Huh, wait, squad mates? You had others?”

“Yep, Zecka, Rightful Oath, Misty Gale, and Bolted Screw.” Braeburn said, “Rightful Oath was the leader but-”

“Not that this isn’t entraining,” Glenn cut in, holding an open palm out, “But it’s starting to rain, we need to get indoors.”

“What?” Translucent raised her eyebrow, “How can you tell?”

Overhead, thunder rumbled.

“That’s how.” Glenn replied.

“Great.” The unicorn groaned, “I freaking hate the rain.”

“Just gives us more reason to move,” Braeburn said, “Now, Translucent, ah don’t suppose you could use your magic to ah, locate the mines?”

“Sorta.” Translucent gazed around the front yard, “I can find ‘em easy with a spell, but it’s not that reliable. It’s more or less just a metal detector spell I made so I could find stuff easier, but it’s wonky. Hell, one time I scanned a wrench two feet in front of me with it and it still wouldn’t work. I think it has about a 30/70 chance of finding a mine.”

“Could ya cast it?” Braeburn asked.

“Give me a sec…” Translucent’s horn pulsed with magic, and soon enough, a small wave of mana flew over the yard, setting various bits of metal alight in a silver glow, but it was sparse. Way too sparse and spread out, only a few things were highlighted in their immediate path, and some of it was the shrapnel from the mine Braeburn blew up earlier. But for some fortune, there was a mine the spell had located. One that was directly in their path and all too easy to see.

“Great.” Translucent groaned, “I could levitate the mine up, but that would set it off. I could also carry Glenn or myself across but...Yeah, you’re too heavy Braeburn.”

“Why not?” Glenn asked.

“Well, his implants add, like, thirty pounds each so-”

“No, I mean, why can’t you just lift up the mine without setting it off?”

“Oh, erm,” Translucent looked away shyly, “I can’t do...uh, delicate.”

Glenn looked confused, “Delicate?”

“When I cast something in telekinesis, I just sorta wrap my magic all over it.” She explained, “It would inadvertently set off the mine. A unicorn with greater telekinesis power than mine would be able to do so easily.”

Glenn tilted his head, “Okay, so why don’t you?”

“....Come again?” Translucent asked.

“Just set it off.” Glenn repeated, “Does it matter who hears it?”

“....I was sorta planning on stealing it, but okay.” Taking a step forward, Translucent’s horn was enveloped in a silver glow. As she did, the mine the scanning spell had located was slowly lifted into the air, it’s single light beeping as the magic surrounding it carried it into the air.

Which then exploded, twice.

“Why is it exploding twice in a row?” Glenn asked.

“Delayed fuse?” Translucent guessed.

“Alright, Lucent, why don’t ya carry Glenn over to the porch so he can tell us if it’s clear or not.” Braeburn said.

“On it.” Translucent turned to Glenn, and smiled a devilish smile.

“....Please be gentle.” He whimpered.

“No promises.”

Before Glenn had a chance to protest, he suddenly found himself be lifted into the air a foot off the ground without his consent. Letting out a squawk of surprise, Glenn threw his arm out, causing him to tumble head over tail in Translucent’s magical grasp.

Wincing as she struggled to maintain her concentration, Translucent glared at the hybrid, “Hey, stop moving around so much! It’s hard enough carrying a living….whatever you are, as is!”

“Well, stop doing such a bad job at it!” Glenn shot back.

“Somepony’s asking to be used as a-”

“Translucent.” Braeburn said calmly.

“Fine fine….” With an irritated groan, Translucent slowly carried the struggling hybrid over to the front porch, where she deposited him with a less than graceful thunk!

“Ya do know his injured, right?” Braeburn asked, leaning over to Translucent.

“Oh yeah.” She grinned.

“Ya’re real mean, ya know that?”

“Ooooooohhh yeah.”

“Hey!” Glenn called over, “You damn near dropped me on a trip wire!”

“Didja die?” Translucent called back.

“No!”

“Then what are you complaining about?”

Glenn looked positively pissed his face turned an interesting shade of red. In return, Translucent gave off the cheekiest of smiles before lifting herself up with magic and carrying herself over to the front porch.

Landing without even losing her stride, Translucent carried on as if nothing happened. Turning around to face Braeburn, the unicorn waved at him while simultaneously ignoring the glaring Glenn.

Two down, one to go.

Braeburn gulped, okay, this wasn’t so bad, he could do this. All he had to do was walk through a yard which was covered with mines, all of which were hidden by the tall grass.

Taking a step forward into the grass, Braeburn closed his eyes and waited. Damn these mechanical feet, he couldn’t feel the earth underneath him! Did he step on a mine? Was he safe?

“....Oh, forget it.”

He couldn’t stand it anymore, throwing caution to the radioactive wind, Braeburn sprinted through the grass as fast as his heavy legs could carry him.

Just a few feet more….

Throwing himself over the last of the grass, Braeburn felt like a pegasus, if only for a moment.

Then fell on his face, right next to Translucent.

“....You okay?” She asked.

“Ah think so….”

“Okay, good, cause Glenn got the door open when you were trying to be all dramatic.”

“Translucent?”

“Yeah?”

“Why couldn’t ya carry me over if ya could lift Glenn and yourself in a row?”

“Oh, I like seeing you squirm from time to time, gotta keep you feeling those emotions after all.”

“....Translucent?”

“Yeah?”

“Ah’m gonna kill ya.”

“Now, see, that’s rage. Rage is an important part of the healing process.”

Off to the side, Glenn rolled his eyes, “Should introduce ‘em to Grif, he’ll get a laugh out of them for sure…”

Shutting the door behind him, Braeburn couldn’t help but blink as he noticed something.

“It’s warm.”

“Well, it is indoors.” Translucent replied.

Well, she wasn’t wrong, for a given value of “indoors,” that is. They were standing on the ground floor of the Thoroughbred Estate, and it looked like somepony had decided to run about the place, knock everything over, wrote “DIE” on the walls with blood, and set up an inordinate number of traps as they did. Bear traps lined the floor, a trip wire was lined up on a staircase’s first step, and set up can chimes everywhere they possibly could.

Aside from that, however, the ground floor was fairly tight, the staircase was to the left hand side and an archway that lead to the only one real “living area” but had multiple rooms alongside the walls that would presumably lead off to the rest of the building. The interior decorating, aside from the blood and traps, was old pre-war wallpaper that was coming off that revealed the rotting wood underneath. A few vases were scattered about, most of them knocked over, but a few were still standing upright.

“Somepony needs a hobby.” Translucent muttered.

Braeburn didn’t bother to comment, his attention was turned to an old photo. Its image was blurred, but still clear enough; it was a picture of a happy colt with the biggest grin on his face as a shiny medal hung from his neck while his dad hugged him from behind, clearly very proud of him.

If this all never happened, if the war never began, would ah have the same chance as this stallion? Would ah ever have a family of my own?

Would Strongheart still be with me?

Oh, sweet Celestia...Strongheart….

“You okay?”

Turning around, Braeburn saw Translucent staring at him with worried eyes.

“Braeburn, you look ready to fall over.” She said, approaching him, “Do you need to sit down?”

“Ah’m fine.” Braeburn said, waving his hand.

“Braeburn, I’m serious, you look like you’re about to have a panic attack.” Translucent said, more firmly this time, “You need to sit down.”

“Ah’m fine.” Without waiting for her to respond, Braeburn gestured to the staircase, “Why don’t ya two go upstairs, salvage what you can. Ah’ll be down here, cleaning this place up.”

“Brae-” Translucent was cut off when a clawed hand grabbed her shoulder from behind. A wordless glance behind her showed Glenn, a stern but heavy expression on his face. Slumping her head down in defeat, Translucent sighed, “Fine, just...don’t do anything stupid, alright?”

“Hey, ah made a promise remember?” Braeburn said, forcing a smile to his face.

“Right right…” Groaning, Translucent cut the trip wire that blocked the stairs with her magic, caught the bag of grenades that fell from overhead in a magical grasp, and casually tossed them out a broken window into the minefield.

Which then exploded, twice.

“Come on…” Walking up the stairs with a startled Glenn in tow, Translucent gave him one last sad glance before disappearing over the wall.

Turning around and letting out the breath he had been holding, Braeburn turned to the assortment of traps, and sighed, “Alright, let’s get this thing started…”

Gently kicking the nearest bear trap with his foot, Braeburn winced as the thing sprung up and slammed shut.

“Right, gotta be careful then…” Going to each and every bear trap that impeded his path, he gently set each one off by picking up one of the discarded vases or other objects that happened to be laying around and placing it on the pressure plate. Though it struck Braeburn as odd that the traps would be set off so easily, he wasn’t complaining. As he progressed through the room, Braeburn kept his mind focused on the task at hoof, he didn’t want to think about anything else, frankly. He really didn’t want to think about….her.

Strongheart.

“Don’t think about it….Just don’t think about it….” He muttered to himself, placing a hand on his aching head and for once, being grateful for the cold metal adoring his hooves.

“But ya are hon, at least, your subconscious is.”

Annnnddd there went any positive feelings he had out the window. Closing his eyes, Braeburn counted in his head, One….two….three….fou-

“Sorry hon, I ain’t going that easy.”

Opening his eyes, Braeburn couldn’t help but groan as the mare with the pale yellow coat and crimson mane trotted up alongside him, completely ignoring the numerous traps scattered about as if they weren’t even there. Hell, for her, they probably weren’t.

He knew who it was, Celestia help him, Braeburn knew this mare.

Cherry Jubilee, former owner of Cherry Hill Ranch.

Turning around, Braeburn put his back to her, and tried to forget she was even there.

“Now Braeburn, why you gotta ignore me like that?” She said, no, no, it said. This wasn’t Cherry Jubilee, Braeburn just had to keep reminded himself of that, this was just some….freaky apparition!

“Because miss Jubilee died a long time ago….” Braeburn muttered under his breath.

“From the bombs? Or from something else hon?”

“.....Go away.” He muttered.

“Fine fine, seeing as how ya don’t want me none, but at least check out the basement.”

“The basement?” Braeburn turned, but sure enough, Cherry was gone, just him and his thoughts remained.

Well, he wasn’t alone in that regard. Still, what did she mean by the base-

Thump!

Braeburn blinked, where had that come from? It wasn’t from above, and there wasn’t any cursing so it couldn’t have been Translucent, so that left….

Searching for the source of the noise, his eyes scanned the floor for anything that could’ve lead to the basement. Soon enough, he found a trap door in the back corner of the living area, just under a cabinet stand with a picture frame on it. Lifting the stand out of the way, Braeburn opened the trap door, and stepped inside.

In stark contrast to the somewhat warm atmosphere of the ground floor, the basement was murky and moist. As he climbed down the wooden steps to the stone floor, each one creaking under the weight of his metal feet, Braeburn couldn’t help but shiver as he descended with each step.

Unlike the above, the basement consisted of one room only, but filled to the brim with all sorts of tinkering things. Gears of all shapes, wires, hell, even a few ammo boxes were strewn about, not to mention the various tools and half-finished appliances that littered the place. He made a mental note to have Translucent raid the place when she got the chance, but that wasn’t the strangest thing in the room. The strangest thing in the room was an ashen grey pegasus with a steel mane resting against a toolbox as a makeshift with a rag acting as a blanket, slowly roused by the approach of Braeburn, yellow eyes slowly fluttered opened, and the owner groaned.

He knew this mare….

“Oh great, it’s you. Ya here to ruin my day twice?” She said, her voice familiar. Where had Braeburn seen her before….

“We are the decent folk.” Cinquedea spat, “And no, we’re really not.”

“You’re that mare from before,” Braeburn realized, coming to the final step, “The one that threatened Rail Spike.”

Cinquedea rolled her eyes, “Ring ring, give the freak a prize…” Trying to rise from her so called “bed,” the pegasus forced herself to stand on shaking legs before they gave out from under her. Falling back down to earth, Cinquedea winced as she prepared to feel the cold metal of the toolbox break her jaw, but found none. Instead, Braeburn had caught her in his fingered hooves.

“Easy there,” He said, gently setting her down. Her armor from before was gone, revealing her body and her cutie mark. A short sword criss crossing a gun, not the most creative mark Braeburn had ever seen, but one that seemed to fit. However, that wasn’t the most alarming thing though, she was sweating and shaking all over. Placing a hoof to her forehead, Braeburn frowned, “Ya’ve got a fever, what happened to ya?”

Cinquedea let out a hollow laugh, “What happened to me? What happened to me? Damn idiot, you happened to me.” Glaring at Braeburn, she sneered, “You kicked me the chest hard enough for me to need medical attention, which we didn’t have, so my last friend had to go out and get supplies, but died in the process because he was too stubborn to save any healing potions for that gunshot wound he had. The wound I’m willing to bet you gave him with my own damn gun. You’re the reason why I’m down here, cold, feverish, and alone. But above all else, you got my friends killed you bastard!”

“....What?”

“You heard me.” Cinquedea spat, “I won’t repeat myself. Let me die in peace, you damn monster.”

Braeburn fell on his rear, a stricken look crossing his face, “What….”

“What, is that all you have to say? Just “what?” Do I need to spell it out for you?” She glared at him with all the hostility she could muster, she may as well have stabbed his heart with an ice cold dagger, “You’ve killed me, and my friends, I hope you’re happy.”

Something in Braeburn snapped, the hindering guilt being washed away by the hot feeling of wrath, tears began to fall down his face as he threw his arms out, “How could ah be happy?!” Braeburn roared, rising to his feet in rage, “Ever since ah woke up, it’s been nothing but one nightmare after another! Ah lost my family! My home! My own damn legs! Ah don’t even know if anypony ah know is still alive! Don’t ya get it?! Ah lost the ponies ah loved, and ah never got ta say goodbye to ‘em!”

“....Okay, what the hell are you talking about?” Cinquedea asked, taken aback by the sheer rage Braeburn projected.

The anger went away as soon as it came, and Braeburn fell back down to his knees, “Ah’m called Braeburn Apple, ah lived before the war started, used to work at Ironshod industries.” He said, his body suddenly feeling ten times heavier as he sank to the ground, “Ah remember the bombs dropping like it was yesterday. But for me, that ain’t no metaphor.”

“...Ah, well, shit.” Cinquedea cringed, “I’m….Shit….Sorry, I guess. How….”

“The last thing ah remember before being woken up in a stable was somepony putting me inta medical, and ah found out later that a pony ah used to know put me and a few of my friends into suspended animation to keep us safe.” Braeburn explained.

“And you lived before the bombs dropped? Like a pre-war ghoul?” Cinquedea asked.

“Ah guess.” Braeburn shrugged, “...Ah’m sorry ‘bout yer friends, ah didn’t mean for things to turn out that way.”

“It’s...not okay.” Cinquedea sighed, “I mean, I can understand why you tried to step in like you did, and you tried talking us down. I mean, from your perspective, it must’ve looked like a mugging or something. But to me, you’re the reason why two of my best friends are dead, I know it’s not your fault, personally, but…”

“Ah getcha….Celestia help me, ah getcha….” Braeburn murmured.

“So….Ironshod huh? You make any guns?”

Braeburn felt a grin slowly appear on his face, “A few.”

“Any good ones?”

“Ah drew up the blueprints for the anti-machine rifle.” Braeburn said, “Ya know those suits of power armor ya’d see in those posters?” Cinquedea nodded, “My cousin, Aj, made ‘em to protect ponies. Kinda like a shield, but then the Zebras made those high powered war machines to counter ‘em, and ah figured ponies on the field needed a sword too...so…”

“I get it, the power armor for defense, and you made the anti-machine rifle for offense.”

“Yeah, but ya see, Aj didn’t like the idea very much, she thought that they would be too easy to steal and use against her Steel Rangers. So ah figured ah should make ‘em difficult ta use correctly.” Braeburn explained, “Ya know, so not everypony could just pick one up and use ‘em. ‘Cept, ah guessed not everypony liked that idea, cause after a few months, ah found myself at the end of a frame job and ah had ta join the army to get out of jail. Can’t say ah liked it very much, but here ah am.”

“That...sucks, sorry to hear that.” Cinquedea said.

“The real irony is the fact ah was about done with my term.” Braeburn admitted, “Ah was...whatmacall it, three days away from retirement?” He grinned, hoping she would get the joke. But all he got in return was a confused look, “...Anyway, if the bombs hadn’t dropped on my head, ah think ah would’ve been back in my office in a day or two. Aj said ta me in a letter that she had saved it for me, and even left me something.”

“What was it?” Cinquedea said, “The something, I mean.”

“Probably Apple cider.” Braeburn shrugged, “Ah can’t think of anything else it would be.”

“She didn’t tell you?”

“Nope.” Braeburn shook my head, “Said that ah would find out when ah got back, but….”

“....Well, maybe it’s still there.” Cinquedea suggested, “It’s only been two hundred and two years, there’s a chance.”

“....Maybe.” Braeburn closed his eyes, running a hand through his mane.

Silence lingered between the two, only filled with the sound of Cinquedea’s heavy breathing. Soon enough though, she started wincing and coughing. Clutching her chest on reflex, the ashen mare started wheezing in pain.

His hoof snapped to his bag on reflex, and much quicker than before, Braeburn pulled out a health potion and held it up to her mouth, “Here, drink.”

Cinquedea snatched the thing out of his hoof, popping it open with her wing, and downed the entire vial in one go. Letting out a sigh of relief, Cinquedea seemed to be breathing much, much easier now.

“Thanks…” She muttered.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it miss.” Braeburn shrugged.

“Don’t call me “miss,” I’m only 23.” Cinquedea replied.

“Alright, sorry.”

“....Do you still have my revolver?” She asked.

Blinking, Braeburn reached over to his side and pulled the black sidearm from its holster, “Yeah, right here.”

“Oh...Cool…” Her eyes dropping, Cinquedea yawned, “You can keep it...for now…but it’s....it’s a...a….looaaannnnn….”

Soon enough, the ashen mare was asleep, leaving Braeburn alone with his thoughts for the time being.

Wiping away some lingering tear drops, Braeburn stood back up and holstered his gun. He was about to leave, but then Cinquedea shivered.

Stopping in his tracks, Braeburn looked around the room, filled to the brim with tools and supplies. Soon enough, an idea came to his horned head.

After a few short minutes, Braeburn was heading up the steps again, carrying a few metal gears under one arm, and ammo boxes in the other. His bag was filled to the top with as much scrap it could carry, and a content smile was on his face as he turned back to the sleeping mare, “Good night, Cinquedea.”

He really hoped she would enjoy the heater he made for her.

Level up!

Iron hoof- You learned how to throw a half decent punch; unarmed attacks now do 20% more damage!

One day, you’ll make Captain Apple proud.