> Fallout Equestria: Space Captain Andromeda
>  by Weavers of Dreams
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Captain, this is Command, please run a diagnostics check and send it back to us for comparison."

"Roger that, Command, running diagnostic now and eager to go," was the enthusiastic, yet tempered, response to the stallion's message.

There was a laugh on the other side that was almost drowned out by the sounds of electric instruments and tape reels. "You've been raring to go since day one, Captain Andromeda."

"Please," the blue mare with a pink mane stuffed inside her bubble helmet said with an almost goofy chuckle, "that's Space Captain Andromeda to you, Dr. Comet."


*	*	*


The war with the zebras not going so well. Of course, the very idea of war made anypony feel unwell; perhaps even the zebras shared the sentiment. But greed was the root of all sins, and both sides had something the other wanted, but neither side was willing to show weakness. Littlehorn was the final nail in the coffin, a misunderstanding that the media on both sides twisted and skewed just to sell more newspapers. Perhaps they didn't realize what would happen. Very few knew the actual truth. But even then it could have been worked out, until zebras took things a step too far, massacring everypony at Luna's academy, from the oldest teacher, to the youngest foal.

Things only escalated from there. The Ministry of Morale started an almost inquisitorial search for spies and traitors. The Ministry of Magic was developing spells and enchantments for spies and soldiers. The Ministry of Technology began creation of bigger and better weapons and armor. The Ministry of Image was producing the propaganda and ensuring soldiers kept in style. The Ministry of Awesome... who knew what they were doing. The Ministry of Peace was unwittingly devising the megaspells that would be their doom. And they were, all of them, better on paper.

Not quite near the middle of the war and not quite at the end, they all came together to discuss the most frustrating aspect of the whole war. The zebras, with their archaic magic potions and mystical prowess, could copy just about everything the ponies threw at them. Land, air, and sea, there seemed to be nothing they couldn't do. The solution took nearly a week to arrive at, even after being suggested by the Minister of Morale a few times and been left ignored. The one place no zebra could reach. Space: the final answer.

With a budget the size of Equestria, and the most brilliant minds of the time (although it took a while to convince them it wasn't a joke), they began the most daring feat of engineering the world would never seen.

They couldn't afford alerting the zebras to this project, which meant that they only had one shot. No test launches, no retries, no bringing in independent companies, no telling friends or family, and absolutely no mistakes. It would have the best materials, the best controls, the simplest controls, the most advanced mainframe, the best enchantments the Ministry of Magic had to offer, the longest ranged radio ever made, the most precision-based weapons, and a pilot who was competent enough to follow directions without any hiccups. The test to become the pilot involved a questionnaire and puzzle contest on the back of a cereal box.


*	*	*


Mercy Andromeda sat at her kitchen table, eating Ministry of Morale approved Chocolate-Coated Sugar-Bombs. She liked to dim the lights and watch as the cereal glowed when she poured in milk. But today, if the ungodly hours she woke up at could really be considered days (she hated waiting for the sun to come up), she left the lights on as she went over the little game on the back of the box.

Sure, maybe they were for foals, but ever since she was a filly no pony could keep her from little games and childish delights. Even now, as a full grown mare, she would cosplay as numerous different figures from her favorite fictions. Thankfully, she kept herself indoors when she did this, which was the only reason her neighbors still talked to her. Her favorite games of pretend always involved outer space. Whether she was the heroic heroine or the damsel in distress, it didn't matter. Just to think about space was enough to lull her into a state of trance-like serenity.

Unfortunately, that was how she lost her first job.

That day, the back of the box was extremely fascinating. It was all about space, with little games involving how to control spaceships, which she had to make some corrections on with a sharpie. It was unbelievable what would get past quality control these days; the questions were simple enough as well.

"How much would I weigh in space?" She looked at the box as though it had just called her stupid. With an almost contemptible sigh, she answered it, talking all the while. "Absolutely nothing. In fact, the only way for you to weigh something would be to create centrifugal force, a magic field, or use magnets to hold you down, in fact that would help keep your body from atro... oops. I really should stop writing everything I say."

By the time she was done, the back of the cereal box was almost completely black with lengthy answers and corrections. She smiled and laughed at it in good humor. "That was fun, they should make more of these." Her eyes retraced the answers scrawled across the box, brow furrowed as she considered their accuracy a second time. She was just finished checking the fallacies of an air vent in outer space when she noticed a block of text she had not read before. Written in small print near the bottom of the box was a contest announcement.

Are you a space cadet? Do you have what it takes to battle Maretians and little green stallions? Then complete all seven boxes with a chance to win a toy Space Mareine Bolter with blinking red light. Participants must turn in all seven at once, completed with pen or marker and mail to P.O. Box 40,000, at Katipos Way, Pranceylvania, 62141.

In less than an hour, she'd been to the grocery store and back with the over six boxes. It was more a matter of principle to her than anything else. She didn't really care about the prize, she just wanted to let the company know that they were making some mistakes with what she considered a serious subject. Besides, she already had a Space Mareine Bolter, made of PVC and metal, and could shoot little balls of aluminum foil. She made quick, if rather profuse, work of it all and mailed it off before the sun rose. Those nice mail workers even opened early for her.

Three weeks later, she found herself sitting hoof-cuffed to a table, staring across at the Ministry Mares.

"Are those really necessary?" Fluttershy asked quietly as she looked at the metal cuffs.

The guard, a green and yellow stallion who was sporting a recent hoof-shaped bruise on his face, nodded. "Yes, ma'am, she put up quite a fight. Shoutin' about how the Ministry of Morale made a mistake, or something or other."

Pinkie Pie facehoofed and sighed. "I gotta tone it down."

Twilight Sparkle gave the pink mare a glance, looking at a bulge in her pocket. "That's not all you have to tone down," she muttered. If Pinkie heard her, she didn't show it.

"You really should relax, Andromeda, dear," Rarity said in a soothing tone as she looked past her curled locks. "No need to get such a fine figure in a wreck."

Knowing that they knew her name made her even more nervous. She sobbed loudly, pleading for mercy and admitting to crimes that would make an eight-year-old roll her eyes. This carried on until Fluttershy came over and gave her a soft embrace.

"There, there," she said in her soothing, buttery voice. "There's no need to be frightened, you're not in trouble. In fact, we need you for a very special..."

"Then why am I restrained?" Andromeda demanded, then cringed when she saw the stallion huff point at the bruise on his face. "I-I suppose I brought it upon myself. I apologize... f-for your face... er, that is... oooh, I'm digging my own grave."

"No one's digging your grave," Rainbow Dash said, stifling a chuckle. "More like a tomb with your own monument." It sounded better in her head than in actual words.

Twilight sighed and rubbed her horn in exasperation. "What Rainbow Dash means, is that you're here for something incredibly special."

"Special," Andromeda sniffed, wiping her eyes with her hock.

Fluttershy patted her on the head and went back to her seat. "Oh, yes. We have an idea that's right up your alley. You passed our test with flying colors. You're going to do something very special... if you don't mind, that is."

"Tell us, sugarcube," Applejack said, leaning forward and tilting her Stetson back. "Do you remember taking a little test a while ago?"

It took several explanation before Andromeda's stunned brain could remember the cereal box games and quizzes. She found out later that she came in second, and the only reason she was chosen was because the Ministries and Princess Luna didn't feel it a good idea to send up a six-year-old colt. After a brief fainting spell from hearing that she was going to be the first -- "Second," Rainbow Dash reminded her, earning an elbow in the side from Twilight -- she quickly agreed to the project and accepted all benefits and rewards that came with it.

She eyed the check Rarity had levitated in front of her with a wide-open mouth. "That's a lot of zeroes. I could live rather comfortably for the rest of my natural born life."

Rarity chuckled in amusement. "Oh, no need for being comfortable. Enjoy paradise, dear. It's an absolute wage, after all."

"A what?"

"It means, Andromeda, or, that is, Captain Andromeda," Rarity began as she tucked the check in her saddlebags for later deposit, "That no matter how much you use, at the end of the year, we'll simply level it back off. Splurge and enjoy a life grander than royalty."

"All for dropping bombs on a bunch of zebras?" Andromeda felt her legs wobble in both astonishment and illness. "Speaking of that, I know we're at war with them and all, but..."

"But it jes' don't feel right," Applejack finished for her. Andromeda nodded, and looked at the floor. Applejack smiled at the still lingering innocence of the young mare. "This project ain't about killin', Mercy. It's about showin' those varmints we can kill 'em if'n we want to. Even if'n they did kill my brother, Lord rest his soul, I wouldn't feel right to be a part of an all out massacre. We'll show them we're prepared for 'em, and that we're better'n 'em. They may 'ave killed whole mess o' our young'uns, but we'll jes' drop a few bomb near their cities here and yonder. That oughta be enough to scare them inta signin' a peace treaty."

"So, not on anypony, jes', er, just near them? To scare them?" Andromeda asked, hoping she heard her right. Applejack nodded. It felt good hearing that from the Element of Honesty herself. "So what am I supposed to do exactly?"

"We get you fitted for your suit, Captain Andromeda," Rarity said with whimsical a smile on her face.

Andromeda grew a smile of her own. She cleared her throat and proclaimed boldly, "That's Space Captain Andromeda, my dear Ministry Mare." That earned her a few laughs.


*	*	*


The spaceship itself may have been a grand piece of engineering, but the space suit rivaled it in almost every way. Containing dozens of talismans for self-repair and medical administration, along with digital magic matrixes that allowed her to levitate objects with tiny magical cubes. Not unlike the suits made for Canterlot foals in case of megaspell bombs, but more advanced and costlier, with multiple padded layers of fabrics and enchantments. Then there were the microscopic talismans implanted directly into her body, three of which were inserted into her brain.

"I'm a unicorn already, do I really need the technology to levitate objects?" Andromeda asked as she lay facedown on a padded table while a unicorn doctor slowly inserted a needle under the back of her skull to place the first of the three talismans. She was suddenly grateful for modern medicine and all it's painkillers.

Twilight stood nearby, taking notes and watching the process while casting an x-ray spell to guide the doctor's needle to its target. "Oh, yes. At best you can maybe carry several light objects. No offense."

"None taken," Andromeda said, attempting to shrug. The painkillers had paralyzed everything below her neck.

"This feature we put in the suit will boost that power exponentially, enough to carry a train car or two... five tops," Twilight said enthusiastically. "The talismans we're inserting now will allow you to control them almost as well as your own magic, maybe even better. The pegasus talismans in the shoes will let you walk on clouds, while the earth pony talismans spread throughout should grant you the strength of two earth pony stallions."

"Are those other two really necessary?"

Twilight nodded. "Of course. Who knows what's out there. Never know when you might need a few extra abilities."

"So, I'm like an alicorn in the suit?" Andromeda couldn't disguise the amazement in her voice.

"Uuuh, not exactly," Twilight admitted. "You wouldn't even be at a twentieth the strength of one, I'm afraid. Don't think we didn't try though."

"Why aren't our soldiers wearing these?" If they had this advanced of equipment, why hadn't they won the war already?

"Too expensive," Twilight said simply. "Just one almost made us spring for an automaton. We decided against that, because there would be too much room for error, and a pony has the ethical awareness we're going for. We're looking to end the war without a lot of dead civilians. If everything goes according to plan, it should be sunshine and rainbows."

"And if it doesn't?"

Twilight scowled. "We can't afford that."


*	*	*


Everything looks good on this end. We'll begin countdown in a few moments, I suggest you prepare yourself, Captain.

Six months of constant, hard training for extreme pressures and temperatures without the suit, and one week's rest, with a smattering of letters she was allowed to send her family to let them know she was alright, she was now ready to be the second mare in space. Though she felt her departure would be much cooler.

"I've been preparing myself for six months," Andromeda said with a sigh. "Couldn't we just skip the count down?"

"No."

She groaned, then looked around the interior of the rocket from her horizontal seat near the nose. Switches, buttons, view screens attached to sensitive telescopes for precision aiming, little lights, and it was all painted white. Twilight had said the color would make it easier for her to detect any problems, such as cracking or hull breaches. No matter how improbable it was that any such thing might happen, they still insisted on putting aboard several pints of a magical sealant made from reverse engineering zebra technology.

Then there was the storage closet, more of an armory, full of an assortment of sidearms and rifles stuffed into individual metal tubes to be launched from space to supply the Equestrian frontlines with advanced weapons just in case the zebras weren't too keen on surrendering early. Wouldn't they have to be insane not to surrender? Andromeda thought to herself. Then again, this whole war was insane.

Next, she looked down at her suit, still giddy with interest. White boots, a rust-red upper body, a fishbowl helmet with an antenna atop of it, and a pipbuck of Ministry creation on her right foreleg. She couldn't remember all it did, but it would have been enough to make even the most geeky ponies she knew turn green with envy. The best part about it was that it was connected directly to the mini mainframe attached to her helmet that would then project multiple displays on the glass with verbal or mental commands.

Her tail stuck out the back of the suit, Rarity's idea, and a vacuum seal was placed there to keep any harmful agents from seeping inside, or the emptiness of space sucking her out. It lowered the cost of the suit, and made it stylish at the same time. Not only all of that, but it was as comfortable as a cloud. Or so she was told.

"Alright, Captain Andromeda," the stallion's voice came back over the radio again. "We're ready now. All external diagnostics check out. Prepare yourself for countdown."

Andromeda totally didn't let out a shriek of schoolfilly glee. It was much too high pitched for that. She snuggled into her chair and braced herself, hooves gripping the leg rests tightly in anticipation.

"Ten... Nine..."

Her ears twitched. What could be rattling here?

"...Eight...

She still had a little bit of time, so she leaned over and peered back at the white interior. There didn't appear to be anything.

...Seven... Six... Five...

There was the rattling again. This time she was sure she heard it. She turned around and scanned the area, using the mental talismans to bring up the pipbuck displays. She would hate to be trapped with a rat aboard. Rarity had insisted on making the display color purple.

...Four... Three...

The display wasn't bringing up anything, and she didn't have all that much time. She shifted back into position and then held out her pipbuck to scan the area behind her while she faced forward and up at the sky.

...Two... One...

She saw it too late. A hoof materialized out of nowhere for a brief second. Even if everything was purple on her screen, she knew of only one group that used invisibility. Her scream came loud and clear over the radio as the spaceship began to climb.

"There's a zebra on board."

The zebra stallion threw off the invisibility cloak and looked up at the back of the mare's seat as the g-forces pushed his body against the floor. He had a small metal capsule strapped to his back, connected by a cord to a large metal hoop that he slipped a hoof through.

He yanked his hoof down and pulled the cord. Pink clouds oozed out of the capsule, filling the rocket to capacity amidst the mare's screams and alarmed shouting over the radio.

"Andromeda? Come in. Do you read me? Captain Mercy Andromeda?" Dr. Comet.

"What happened up there? Listen to me, Space Captain Andromeda," Twilight sang in chorus with Dr. Comet.

No matter how loudly they shouted, all that came back was static. They watched in despair as their greatest hope climbed higher and higher into the sky, until it was eventually lost to sight.
> Chapter One: The Madmare of Hope
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

High above the wasteland, far above the Enclave, beyond the reach of the megaspells, drifted a forlorn object. The metal hull was full of holes and dents from around two centuries worth of punishment from meteors. It had once been painted white to reflect heat up its glorious reentry, but clouds of dust had sanded most of it away, taking away even the name it once bore. Hope, what was once the world's greatest unknown chance of survival, now drifted through space in silent chorus to the ruined world below.

The interior was no less a scene of demoralization.

The frozen, and slightly melted, remains of a young zebra were fused with the floor. A few lazy meteors had gotten trapped inside the ship, drifting about and bouncing off walls until some of them slipped back out into the great black sea. Panels and small storage compartments were ripped open from the sudden decompression caused by the first hull breach. Miscellaneous electronics and food items drifted amongst the dust and rocks.

Aside from the zebra, the only stationary object in the ship's interior was the mare strapped to the pilot's seat. Her blue fur and supernova pink mane were in pristine condition, compliments of the Ministry of Image. One could argue it was the suit that preserved the body in such perfect condition, keeping it from deforming and rupturing in the explosive decompression. But, if there were sound in space, they would be sure to hear her raucous snoring.

After all these years, Mercy Andromeda was still alive, asleep in some sort of unnatural hibernation. A purple heads-up display on the inside of her helmet flashed the same message over and over again. ---SUBJECT STATUS: DECEASED---CONDITION: STABLE---ADMINISTERING HEALTH ENCHANTMENTS---SUBJECT STATUS: DECEASED---CONDITION: STABLE---CONDITION: STABLE---ADMINISTERING HEALTH ENCHANTMENTS---. This might have carried on for eternity if it had not been for what could only be described as divine intervention.

---SUBJECT STATUS: DECEASED---CONDITION: STABLE---ADMINISTERING HEALTH ENCHANTMENT---ERROR---ERROR---ERROR---ERROR---ACTIVATING ADRENAL REFLEX---

The helmet, which had its own self-contained atmosphere, vibrated when the mare let out a shriek that would have shattered any normal form of crystalline structure. SUBJECT STATUS: DECEASED---CONDITION: STABLE---ADMINISTERING SEDATIVE---ERROR---ADMINISTERING TESTOSTERONE. Shocked, the mare ceased her screaming and pulled at her restraints as a rather pleasant sensation washed over her body. A giddy smile played on her face for a moment before she put a white-shoed hoof to her head, or rather, her helmet, and let out a deep sigh.

"Ooh," she groaned. "What a nightmare. I must have passed out from when the blood rushed to my head. No matter how many simulations you run, nothing can prepare you for the real thing. I-I guess should let them know I'm all right. Oh, my eyes."

Her body remembering months of training, she kept her eyes closed and reached up to push a little button on the dashboard. "Hello, command, this is Space Captain Mercy Andromeda, I'm sorry if I've kept you waiting. Just need a minute to recover from that takeoff. I'll be ready to start Operation Benevolent Omen on your mark."

She waited a moment for them to respond. Moments turned to minutes. Ten minutes later it became clear that they hadn't heard her. She sighed and pressed button again. "This is Space Captain Andromeda, reporting in and ready to begin Operation Benevolent Omen."

A few moments later, she was pounding the button and screaming into the mic. "Command, do you read me? Hello? Anypony there? This is Captain Andromeda. Answer me, please." Her voice raised louder as desperation grew. "This is Mercy Andromeda, respond, say something, anything. Ministry Mares? Dr. Comet? Somepony, please... tell me I can open my eyes, I-I don't want... please tell me that that zebra was all just a bad dream. Please, tell me I'm not too late. Tell me we can still win. Don't make me open my eyes by myself."

Nothing but silence. Unholy silence that chilled her most inner depths, creeping like dark tendrils throughout her body. She leaned back into her chair and did her best to curl up into a ball, breathing hard as she waited for someone to respond. She didn't know how long she waited, but it soon became evident that no pony was responding.

"May-maybe the radio broke," she reasoned with herself. "Yeah, that's it. I'll just have to repair it. But, I'll need to open my eyes, won't I? There'll be nothing, you'll see, it's just a few disconnected wires. They showed you how to repair it. That's it, I'm gonna just look up and..."

She opened her eyes and was too horrified to make any noise at all. All she could do was stare at the darkened, broken dashboard. Holes and cracks perforated the window, debris floated around her, and when she looked behind her seat, she saw the remains of the zebra amongst the giant holes and cracks in the rest of the ship.

There were many different responses a mare in her position could have. She could have screamed until her throat bled. Cried until she was a quivering blob of flesh. She could have shouted curses to the heavens for her fate. Maybe even just gone into shock and watched the rest of eternity go by. However, she managed to choose either the absolute worst thing, or the absolute best thing, and panicked.

She shrieked loudly, tore off the restraints and scrambled her legs madly in the air as she began to float. She managed to grip the headrest of the chair in her forehooves and launched herself forward, plowing through the floating garbage. She hit the back wall, right through the zebra's remains, hard. The frozen, brittle corpse cracked and shattered in a silent explosion, making her give a dry heave in disgust and horror. She had just desecrated the remains of a another creature, even if he was a zebra. She screamed again and pushed herself away, writhing about and heaving wretchedly.

There was nothing on this ship, everything was gone. Her mission was a failure, and all because the Ministries hadn't kept out one zebra. She wasn't mad at the young stripy, she was mad at those mares. They were supposed to be Celestia and Luna's favored. Yet, for all that talk, a zebra, probably too young to have finished high school, wandered into the most secure facility in Equestria, and detonated a gas bomb inside the most important project in the world. It was all their fault. All their, bucking, trumped up, stricken fault.

Wasn't it?

She looked down at her hooves as she drifted amongst the junk. Were they the only ones at fault? She had heard something. A single word from her could have stopped the entire launch. At worst, it would have only been delayed a few more days, and she would have still fulfilled her dream and saved Equestria. But, no. She was too eager. Too excited.

They had warned her multiple times, that if anything sounded or appeared wrong, that she was supposed to tell them to stop and it would be taken care of. She had heard the tapping of the zebra's hooves on the metal, and yet she hadn't fulfilled her duty. Six months of intense training, studying, all the while away from her friends and family. All for nothing now, all lost in a pink cloud and a moment of utter stupidity. They would have gotten a more competent pilot from a brain-damaged monkey in diapers.

She looked out one of the larger holes in the hull, and saw the world. Strangely, a large part of the sky was covered in thick clouds. Not like hurricane storms or anything, just a blanket of clouds. But his wasn't her most pressing concern. She may have been stuck in space, but she wasn't just going to sit around in shame. At the speed the rocketship was traveling, anything that fell from it and into the atmosphere would be burned up. It seemed like it would be a quick enough death.

She lit up her horn, generated a amethyst field of magic, and created a minor foal's trick: a lasso. It was a simple strand of magic of limited length that could then be shortened to yank the caster across the ground. Depending on the strength and skill of the caster, it could be used for some pretty spectacular parkour stunts. In space, strength and weight meant nothing. She threw out the strand, looped it around a little knob, and then yanked herself forward at an astonishing speed.

A bittersweet smile played upon her face as she shot towards the world below. Spreading her legs out wide to catch as much friction as possible, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Which was promptly knocked out of her when she came to dead stop.

"What?" she asked, cocking her eyes and twisting her face in confusion. Looking back, she saw a tether of digital magic cubes, glowing the same color as her own magic, hooked onto the side of the ship. her HUD lit up with the words: ---EMERGENCY GRAPPLE ACTIVATED---HULL BREACH DETECTED---SENDING DISTRESS SIGNAL TO COMMAND---ERROR---LINK NO LONGER EXISTS---

"What?"

This brought a whole new flag to the field. "What do mean doesn't exist? I know Hope took some damage that destroyed the radio. But, no longer exists? Wait, I can use my pipbuck to send radio messages?"

---LINK NO LONGER EXISTS---MORE INPUT REQUIRED---EMERGENCY BROADCASTER WAS PUT IN PLACE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY---REDUNDANT---

Thoughts of suicide momentarily put aside, Andromeda smiled as the tether began to reel her back up the ship. "Then contact somepony, anypony."

---INADVISABLE---

"Why not?" Andromeda demanded sourly.

---NO KNOWING WHO MAY LISTEN---

"Doesn't matter," Andromeda said as she reach a hoof inside the hole and pulled herself inside. "If the zebras hear we ponies have got up to space, they'll panic. In fact, try and hit zebra public broadcasts. That'll slap their pompous plots. No wait... I hear zebras like that. What would be a proper insult?"

She cringed at the bits of zebra floating about. "No offense, kid. Sorry."

---CANNOT COMPLY---

She growled angrily. The pipbuck seemed to take that as a question.

---TRANSMITTER BANDWIDTH TOO SMALL---SUGGEST ERECTING A BIGGER ARRAY---

"And just how do I do that?"

---PULLING UP BLUEPRINTS---

"Thank you technology," Andromeda said, feeling very much put in her place now. The fact that it was a soulless piece of technology forcing her to read made it all the more humiliating. "Is it possible for you to speak?"

---NEGATIVE---MINISTER OF MAGIC DESIGNATED TEXT FOR BRAIN STIMULATION---

"She would," Andromeda sighed as she watched the blueprints come up. All it would take would be some copper wiring, aluminum tubing, a small amount of iron, and metal paneling. All of which was aplenty aboard the ship. Plus, with the emergency spells she'd been taught to use with the digital magic, it would be like a making book fort.

Using her lasso to hold herself in one place this time, she activated the digital magic herself this time and began shaping it properly. Digital magic wasn't fluid like natural magic, it was rigid and blunt, and as such, the sharp edges of the cubes could be put to good use as, say, a rotary saw. In no time, she'd began cutting a shallow square out of the dashboard. When this was done, she made a pair of clamps and pulled out bundles of the wires. She noticed some gold down there as well, and made sure to skirt around it, as those were most likely vital parts of the ship. Putting the wire where it wouldn't drift off, she began her search for the aluminum tubing, which was in the vacuum toilet. That thing was always scary to her, using space to suck out the sewage. Dismantling it felt good. All the while, she was collecting metal panels that were just floating about and holding them in her forehooves; not having to walk made things pretty easy. As for the iron, there was limited supply for weight purposes, she found that inside her chair, since it needed to be both heavy and stable for launch and reentry. Just one rod was enough.

Now that she had all the pieces, she started on the iron, using the digital magic to pound it thinner and longer. Once at the desired length, she started on the wire, unraveling it and winding the ends together before wrapping it tightly around iron rod enough. Then came the aluminum tube. That part was simple. All she had to do was stick the copper and iron inside of it. Then the panels came into play. She gave a bubbly squeal as she began this part. No matter how many times she did it, it was so much fun.

The cubes could be made small, almost microscopic, allowing finer tuning and intricate details. There was a tradeoff, of course. When they were in this finer resolution, she couldn't cover a very large area, and though they could cut through metal like a hot knife through butter, they were worthless as a shield as anything striking them would cause them to vanish. Along with this, she could use both the big and the small ones together at the same time. She began cutting at the edges of the panels.

She patiently begun cutting tiny strands, about an inch deep across the edges of the panels, which didn't take as long as one would think, considering she could make about ten miniature saws at once. Still, her cutting took over an hour, but she wasn't watching the clock. Andromeda was certain her pipbuck had one, but couldn't be bothered to check. When she was done, she began weaving the strands from the side of one panel to the strands of another until she had crafted a crude bowl. She drilled a few holes to wrap the ends of the copper wires through to hold it down atop the aluminum tube. The wires would push the transmitter pulse through the makeshift antennae, and, boosted by her magic, would allow her to reach some form of radio tower. All that was needed was to attach the other end of the pole to her pipbuck and point it down.

Zero-gravity, again, was useful. She didn't need to attach the antennae to anything. Just level it out, let go, and she was good. She cleared her throat and spoke in as clear and commanding a voice a mare drifting in space with a ship full of super-weapons could manage.

"Hello, zebras, this is Space Captain Andromeda, calling to you from... where else, but right over your sorry heads. Listen up and listen good. I've got a payload of Equestria's best weapons ready to rain down in the blink of an eye if you do not lay your guns right this instant and surrender. I've got more than enough high-powered hens aboard to drop balefire eggs on you for a week, with a side of eldritch lightning bolt fries, extra crispy. Remember whose side raises the sun? Equestria's. Remember who has all the jewels? Equestria. Remember who's gonna kick your sorry plots? Eeequeeeestriiiaaa. I'm flying too high for your pitiful little missiles and bullets to reach, and an armored body that takes celestial rocks traveling at high speeds to just dent. So, if any zebra out there wants to be a hero, just remember what I said, and then... and then, do the smart thing... let somepony else go first."

She smiled to herself and crossed her hooves in front of her chest in pride. She'd always wanted to say that. After a prolonged silence, she began to wonder if she had been taken seriously.

"Why is no pony responding?" she asked anxiously. She yanked herself with her lasso so she could look down at the world.

---BROADCASTER NEEDS TO BE TURNED ON BEFORE A MESSAGE CAN BE SENT---

Facehoofing with fishbowl helmet on just didn't feel the same.
> Chapter Two: Ghosts of the Past
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Much mild cursing, complaining, and groaning later, Andromeda managed to turn on the pipbuck's transmitter. The Ministry model was much different than Stable Tec's commercial version. It was less blocky, allowed multiple displays at once, and the mainframe around her neck allowed it much finer tuning than what was currently standard. Not to mention it was light and slightly flexible; a much desired bonus.

She cleared her throat and began her speech again. Louder this time.

"Hello Equus, this is Space Captain Andromeda, calling to you from, where else? Outer space. Now listen up all you..."

"Get off the air you stupid kids, this not a toy."

Andromeda's jaw shut with a click as she stared at her pipbuck, eyes dancing between it and her HUD. She didn't know whether she should feel happy to hear somepony else's voice, or perturbed at the rudeness of the stallion on the other end.

"Oh, come on," she shouted in a mixture of confusion and anger. "I've been stuck up here who knows how long and..."

"This station is for emergency broadcasts only. Not your dumb...," the stallion shouted back, but his voice started to become garbled. Andromeda refocused the antennae, it was starting to drift, and listened to the rest of the rant. "...cking stupid games, you strumpet-born pests. When I find you I'm gonna skin you all alive and..."

"Mind your manners, mister," Andromeda retorted. "The Ministry Mares wouldn't like me to report your sour attitude."

"That's it," the stallion said. "I'm gonna take all those little radio away from you all and use them for target practice. Wait until I get the Commissar."

"Get your commissar on the air," Andromeda screamed back while flailing her arms in frustration. "Maybe then I'll find somepony mature enough to know how serious I am."

"Who are you talking to, Short Wave?" A new, gruffer voice came over the air. "The radio is not for pleasure calls."

"Short Wave?" Andromeda repeated, rolling her eyes upward in thought. That wasn't a zebra name. At least not that she had heard.

"I'm trying to get bunch of kids off the air," the one she now knew as Short Wave answered back in a very respectful tone. It was possible the commissar had just walked in.

"Again?" the commissar, she guessed, asked in an exasperated voice. "Celestia have mercy. Please tell me my grandson isn't one of them."

Definitely not zebras. But commissar wasn't an Equestrian rank. Andromeda listened with rapt attention.

"I've only heard one voice, sir," Short wave said. "A filly. Claims to be Space Captain Andromeda."

"Hey, I'm a full-grown mare," she snapped at the two on the other end. She pouted sourly as she waited for them to respond.

Nothing but sighs and groans. They weren't taking her seriously. On the plus side, Short Wave seemed to speak nicer in the commissar's presence.

"Yes-yes," the commissar patronized her. She could just about see him rolling his eyes. This was still not going well. "Tell me, Captain Andromeda, what is your current position?"

"About two hundred nautical miles above your dumb heads," Andromeda said with a less than enthusiastic sigh. This was not how she pictured ponies' reaction to a spaceship.

"We'll just see about that, little missy," the commissar said with an almost humorous edge to his voice. "While you've been talking, we've been tracking your signal. Prepare for..."

"Sir," Short Wave's abrupt call cut off the commissar's patronizing words.

"What is it?" the commissar snapped.

"The readout says it's coming from straight up."

There was a long pause. A smile lit up Andromeda's face as she felt they were finally going to take her seriously. Then it all got even more confusing.

"Shut off the radio," the commissar said urgently. "It's a distraction. Prepare all units for Enclave attack. Have the mares and foals sent to the..." It went dead, leaving a very distraught space fairer alone in the dark void.

"Enclave? I'm space Captain Andromeda, and I demand answers. Hello? Heeelllloooo? What are you doing with mares and foals that close to zebra territory anyway? I said answer me. In the name of Princess Luna, pick up the bucking radio! Does rank mean nothing to you?"

Silence greeted her, deafening in its gaping maw. As a filly, she had had a clock that would tick noisily, skip ahead to seconds, then skip back on second three times an hour. It had annoyed the living Tartarus out of her. Right now, she would give anything to have that clock.

"Maybe I picked up the wrong station," she reasoned, liking the sound of her voice, because it was the only sound to be heard. "Try and locate Command, pipbuck, I want to make contact with them before I starve to death up here."

---LINK NO LONGER EXISTS---SIDENOTE---SUBJECT UNABLE TO STARVE---

Andromeda only read the first part, not too interested in all the pipbuck had to say. "What do you mean no longer exists? Are we out of range? Did all our coms get knocked out that badly? What does it mean?"

---LINK NO LONGER EXISTS---RECEIVER HAS WORLD WIDE BANDWIDTH---LINK NO LONGER EXISTS---DEFINITE CONCLUSION---

She growled and began pounding the screen. "It... can't... be... gone," she seethed. "I just left their a little while ago. Are you saying they just cut the link?" Her anger suddenly gave way to fear when a thought came to mind. She looked about at the damaged ship and wondered. "What was that gas?"

---INCONCLUSIVE---

The captain reached out and hugged the makeshift antennae to her chest for some form of comfort. "What happened after we took off?"

---SUGGESTION---MAINTAIN SANITY---YOU ARE ALONE---THERE IS NO WE---

"Yeah, like that's going to happen at this point," the mare muttered. The pipbuck continued.

---1532 MESSAGES IN STORAGE---

That got her attention. "Busy day. Uuuh, play all, I guess. Not like I have anything better to do. An aweful lot for one day. Well, at least that means they're alive. You're just a broken piece of trash, pipbuck. You know that?"

---IGNORING DENIAL---BEGIN MESSAGE 1---

A quivering, desperate voice filtered into her helmet. It sounded like Dr. Comet. "Andromeda? Hello? Please, it's been six hours since the launch. Ministry Mare Twilight Sparkle asked us to cease radio chatter, a safety precaution incase of zebra interception. Fortunately, no pony thinks they can intercept an email yet. So, do not try to contact via the radio link. Send an email instead. Please. It would do us all well to hear your voice again. Please, tell us you're okay as soon as you can."

---END OF MESSAGE 1---

"Stop," Andromeda ordered the pipbuck with chuckle. "What a relief. That's why the link no longer exists. Mercy Andromeda, you silly mare. Just send back a new email and wait for orders. Yeah... I hope I still get to keep that check."

She swiftly began vocalizing a response to Dr. Comets voice message. In the back of her mind though, was a lingering feeling of dread. She forced it away.

"Hello, command, this is Space Captain Andromeda. I woke up around two hours ago, and things are a little messed up. I-I want to apologize, for the rocket. Yeah. I messed up big time, I'm so sorry. I should have spoken earlier, I should have paid more attention to what was going on inside of here. Yeah... just saying I'm sorry doesn't really mean much with the future of Equestria at stake. But please, if you'll just contact me back, I'll do anything. I'm lonely. You can keep the money, just let me do what I'm supposed to. Help me fix this. We can still save Equestria, I j-just need a little more... time."

Her confidence falling with every word, Andromeda sniffed loudly and stopped speaking before her sobs could distort everything she tried to say. She sent the message and glanced at her pipbuck screen, while setting the antennae afloat beside her. "How long before this reaches Command?"

---TEN MINUTES---

"Oh," she said, crestfallen. "I could really use somepony else's voice." Short Wave and the commissar came to mind. "Somepony familiar. I don't care if they yell at me, I don't care if they take away all those rewards. I just want to know that I'm not alone."

---SUGGESTION---MAINTAIN SANITY---STOP TALKING TO YOURSELF---

"Buck you." Her half-hearted remark was barely above a whisper. She sat in silence, her eyes never leaving the screen, even though all she had to do was look at the HUD. It crossed her mind that Stable Tec had a magical eyes forward sparkle, but Twilight and Applejack had said something about progress and initiative, or something like that. She never really got a straight answer. Maybe it was something to do with a patent. Even a government secret had some legal limitations it seemed. Excluding SATS just seemed logical, as she wasn't supposed to encounter any combat in space. Then again, a zebra wasn't supposed to get aboard either.

It had been a rough day. Her emotions were flying off in different directions, and she was making all kinds of mistakes and errors. She was both afraid of what the next few minutes would bring, and afraid that it wouldn't come at all. It was a bad day to be Mercy Andromeda.

Ten minutes passed, then twenty, then an hour. There was no word she had for what she felt. So she thought up a combinations of words. "Clop-bleeding, plot-inseminated sons of venereal-diseased orgies, greasy-hoofed malcontented wind-breakers wishing on Luna's flanks, stiff-legged buckers, slapping striped plot masochists, why won't you answer?"

She pounded a hoof against the pipbuck's screen as she screamed out long and hard. Finally, after a long fit, she felt like crying. But decided against it. "Maybe I missed something."

---DENIAL---

"Buck you, buck you, buck you," she hissed through her teeth as she cycled through the displays until she reached the message board. There was still the same amount of messages. 1532. "Play message two and continue."

---PLAYING MESSAGE 2---

"Hello, Captain? This is Ministry Mare Twilight Sparkle, sending you the second email, on the second day of the launch. We decided to work in shifts, sending one every hour. Please, contact us, Mercy. We need you. Equestria needs you. We're so... so sorry. We thought we were so safe in this stupid iron bunker. Please tell us that you are alright. This is all our fault. Please... forgive us. We failed you. We'll keep sending you messages, to keep you company until you can establish a link. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Ministry Mare Twilight Sparkle, signing off."

---END OF MESSAGE 2---

They blamed themselves for this? Andromeda was taken aback by that logic. Then her jaw dropped. One message an hour? 1532 messages, at one per hour was...

---PLAYING MESSAGE 3---

"Andromeda? Th-this is Ministry Mare Fluttershy, I hope you're not mad at us. I'm so sorry that this happened to you. No pony deserves to be alone in such a terrible place. Even Princess Luna shares your grief. She knows what it's like to... to be alone for a long time. Please try to hold on, Andromeda, we're doing all we can to fix this. Please, if you don't mind, send us an email back. We'd all love to hear your voice again. Y-you m-may not know this but, you inspired us all, Andromeda. What, with all your enthusiasm about being the first, er, second mare in space. It was nice to see somepony still so happy in this terrible war. We'll get you out of this, you'll see. E-even if it means... losing Hope. Yay Equestria. I-I'm sorry, I can't do this. Please forgive me."

---END OF MESSAGE 3---

Mercy Andromeda's eyes went wide as she finished the math in her head. If her calculations hadn't gotten too muddled, she figured it had been around sixty-three to sixty-five days. She had just woken up from some sort of toxin-induced coma. But then, why didn't she feel weak or hungry?

---PLAYING MESSAGE 4---

"Hey there, Space Captain. This is Ministry Mare Dash, you know, from the Ministry of Awesome. Heh, well, I don't know exactly what to say, but... I did agree to help keep you company. So, let's try to work things out. We finally got Fluttershy to stop crying. She's rather worried about you up there. You and the zebra. Typical Fluttershy... ah, if you're hearing this, I've got a little confession. I was going to tell you about it in a week or two, but I really think you need it now. Every once in a while, when things are too stressful, I take a little glass of Gryphon's Rampage... I managed to sneak a couple bottles on board for you. I stashed them inside the dashboard, next to the gold wiring. I thought it would help. I mean, I don't know what it's like out there, and I'm not ashamed to say that... to say that you're probably braver than me. A small chance. Heh, yeah. I-I don't think I could stand being up there like that, all alone, without my friends. So... I hope you enjoy the contraband. I'm sure you'll need it more than I do. Well, anyway, I've got a little glass right here. So it's kind of like we're having a drink together. Yeah, that sounded stupid. Still... here's to you kid."

---END OF MESSAGE 4---

Andromeda couldn't help but smile at Dash's gesture. She was a rough, showboating mare, but was she pleasant and fun to be around. Mercy lassoed herself over to the dashboard and peered into the hole she had cut before. It took some rummaging around with a hoof, but she finally came in contact with several glass bottles. She pulled them out. The now frozen, golden brown liquid gleamed in the purple light of her HUD. A tribal picture of a raging male griffon was on the front, wings spread and claws bared. With a longing sigh, she put them back and listened to the next message.

---PLAYING MESSAGE 5---

"Well, sugarcube, I hope you're enjoying Rainbow Dash's present. Thinks she was all secret like. There'll be a lot more where that came from after you come back, believe me. Although, Ah'd suggest somethin' a little more... full and sweet. I know how much you love your sugar. I've got a nice big case o' my finest hard cider, sittin' in storage, jes' waitin' for ya. We're all watchin' the screens down 'ere, Captain, hopin' you'll send somethin' back. We're all about as wound up as barrel full o' rattlesnakes. Don't go blamin' yerself, now, Mercy, none o' this is your fault. None whatsoever. Me an' Pinkie were the ones in charge of security, an'... an' I am so sorry. I don't know if you can ever forgive me, or if I can even forgive myself. But, rest assured, we're doin' all we can. Yeah. You've probably heard that a few times already. Well, this is Ministry Mare Applejack, signing out.

---END OF MESSAGE 5---

After hearing Applejack, Andromeda was left in thought. Who was to blame? Was it her? The Ministries? Or was this just some divine punishment for the whole world's foolish mistakes?

---PLAYING MESSAGE 6---


*	*	*


Some of the messages were quite lengthy, some were almost obscenely short. They were from the Ministry mares and other workers at Command that she had become friends with. Even that stallion she gave a bruise on her first day there. He wasn't really bad, just doing his job. Her overreacting to the Ministry of Morale's reputation was the main factor in their strained friendship. They had made up after week, but he still shied away whenever she lifted her right hoof. He had left a few kind, thoughtful messages.

Fluttershy had read her a few stories, ranging from Daring Do, to children's poems. She had even taken the time to grab some interesting Zebra tales, just in case the zebra was still alive. Though Andromeda was sure, that if she had remained conscious, she would have diced him apart with the digital magic. Then, she promptly threw up after realizing she had killed another pony. Nevertheless, those stories were fascinating, usually relating to dangerous creatures and monsters from the stars. In retrospect, this would have made Hope's mission all the more terrifying and effective.

Pinkie Pie was largely absent. Through some brief words and phrases, she managed to piece together the idea that Ministry Mare Pinkie was the most upset of them all. Blaming herself and some sort of substance withdrawal. Andromeda didn't know what that was all about, but it seemed serious.

Rarity just talked. Talked about everything and everypony, gossiping up such a storm about her family, friends, celebrities, rich ponies, even the royal alicorn sisters. Andromeda felt she knew all these ponies quite intimately by the time Rarity's final message played. It was strange, though, how the most secretive of all the Ministries was headed by the chattiest of the six mares. But then again, Rarity had a certain flair of tact and grace. Tact being the ability to tell somepony to go to Tartarus and make them look forward to the trip. Rarity could definitely do that.

Ministry Mares Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack had all done their best with words of hope and promises of rewards. But around the first hundred messages sent, they all began to lose the sincerity in their voices. Even so, they carried on, telling her they were doing all that they could, looking for a way to get her back. It seemed they were more concerned about her than Hope. But Hope was the whole reason they had even come together. Wasn't it? They should be worried about the rocketship! It was Equestria's best shot at ending the war. What was the life of one mare?

It shocked Andromeda to find herself thinking so coldly about herself. 

---PLAYING MESSAGE 1531---

"Rarity here, darling. I'm sorry, but today's little talk is going to have to be cut short. We... we know you must be running out of food, and oxygen by now. Twilight has given up, I'm sorry to say. The poor dear has been pushed beyond her emotional limits. This was so important to her. Now she's lost her greatest triumph, and a dear friend. I hope you know that, Andromeda. You weren't just a project to us. Now, I must be getting along. I have some packing to do. There's a meeting in Canterlot I cannot afford to miss. Farewell, Space Captain Andromeda. Please, d-don't die j-just yet. There's a surprise coming for you in just a little bit. Do hold on a l-little bit l-l-longer."

---END OF MESSAGE 1531---

"I shouldn't be alive, should I?" Andromeda asked herself as she looked down at her body. Surely she must have run out of oxygen a while ago, and there was no way she could have lasted without food for this long. "But I'm not dead."

---DENIAL---

"I'm not dead," she shrieked at the pipbuck, tears falling from her eyes.

---DENIAL---

"If I'm dead then how am I talking to you?" Andromeda reasoned through clenched teeth.

---ERROR---MORE INFORMATION REQUIRED---UPDATING---

"Just play the last message," Andromeda hissed.

---PLAYING MESSAGE 1532---

Fluttershy's voice appeared. She sounded sad, and her voice was shaky.

"H-hello A-Andromeda. I-it's me, Fluttershy. I-I didn't bring you an-any stories today. I'm sorry. But I'm n-needed elsewhere now. I w-would stay if I could, Andromeda. P-please believe me. But, it's not all bad. N-not really. I've brought you some special guests. Now that things are... we all agreed that you deserve this, Andromeda. Please, as our final parting gift..."

A new voice sounded out, a stallion's. Rich and strong, yet weakened from grief.

"Honey? I got so worried when you stopped sending letters. Th-they tell me that you're in space now. Heh, your dream come true. I'm sure it's as beautiful as you imagined."

"It's ugly and lonely," Andromeda said with a disdainful look at her surroundings. Sobs threatened to escape her throat as she heard this particular stallion carry on.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't mad at you making this... big... big decision. You're gone... you've left us alone, and... I don't care about the money they gave us. I want you back. Please. Isn't there anything...?"

"I'm afraid not," Fluttershy said with a sob. "I'm so sorry, sir."

"You should be. She should be at home, with her family, playing those games and reading her comics. Not drifting around the world like some second moon, or satellite. Whatever you want to call it. Mercy, honey? I'm sorry, but, I miss you. I've missed you ever so much. All I can think about now is what we can never have anymore. Y-your birthday... it's in just a few weeks. I had everything planned out. We were going to go to that Prench restaurant you always wanted to go to. Le Lune, you know that one with the Ursa Major statue out front? Then I planned on taking you... do you mind, Minister Fluttershy? Just a moment?"

Oh? Oh! Yes. O-of Course. Come along you two, lets leave him alone for a little bit. Now-now, please don't cry. If you cry, I won't be able to stop.

Andromeda blushed bright red, and a smile lit up her face as she heard her husband's plans for what would have been her birthday. Needless to say, she was saving this recording. When he was done, he told her how much he was going to miss her.

"They gave us a reservation in Stable 41," he continued, after having let the others back into the room. "But, it won't be the same without you. Please, Andromeda. Don't be dead. Come back to us."


"I'm not dead," Andromeda piped up as though she thought he might hear her. The pipbuck was still analyzing her, so it remained silent.

"Please, sir. There's not that much power left. Finish it up. I-if you don't mind, that is," Fluttershy said in a soft, yet firm voice.

"Yes, of course, I'm sorry. Goodbye, Mercy, my love, I hope to see you again someday."

A new, smaller voice piped up. This particular one was openly sobbing. "Please come back to us. I miss you, mommy."

---END OF MESSAGE 1532---NO MORE MESSAGES REMAIN---

Her wail of anguish rattled her helmet, and no amount of testosterone shock would calm her. The poor wife and mother had just heard her own husband beg for her to come back, and heard her daughter crying, and she was helpless to do anything about it. It no longer mattered to her who was to blame for the botched rocket launch. All she wanted now was to return home and fall into her family's hooves.
> Chapter Three: On the Waves of Mercy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Few things are as terrifying as a mother separated from her children. Even fewer are scarier than when that same mother hears her child crying. There is nothing that can stand between them, and no obstacle that won't be climbed. Unfortunately, that also meant that Andromeda was willing to humiliate herself if it meant even the slightest help.

"Hello? This is Mayor Sweep of Route 12. Who is this?"

Andromeda let out a sigh as she finished weaving the last of the metal strands around the antennae's base, fixing it in place while she floated underneath the rocketship. She had decided to connect the antennae to a fixed point, and managed to jury-rig and attach a short range transmitter to it that allowed her to move about freely, rather than plugging in wires to her pipbuck. This gave her more room to perform the painstaking repairs to Hope while still listening for radio signals. Every time one was found, a red dot would appear on her HUD.

She pulled herself back inside the rocketship before replying. "This is Mercy Andromeda," which seemed to get more respect than Space Captain Andromeda, "looking for somepony who can help with pipbuck management."

"What?" the voice on the other end asked. It was too riddled with static to tell if it was a mare or stallion. "How did you manage to break it? I thought those things were nigh-on indestructible."

"I didn't break it," Andromada snapped. "It just keeps on saying that I'm dead."

"Are you?"

Andromeda stared at the screen of her pipbuck in disbelief. "What? How... when? But... I'm talking to you. How could I be dead?"

"Good Point. Have you tried hitting the screen multiple times?"

"Duh," Andromeda said with a roll of her eyes, "like a hundred times."

"Hmmm, then I'm out of ideas. Could you relay your position? I could have a crew out there within the hour to have a look."

"Oh, sure," Andromeda said with a dramatic smile and wave of her hoof. "You got a pencil?"

"Yep."

"About two hundred miles... right up your plot," she shouted and cut the link, crossing her hooves in front of her chest in aggravation. "How do morons like that become mayors? I mean... she, or he, couldn't tell, didn't even give me an estimate of what it would cost to have you repaired. It sounded more like some creepy scam artist just trying to find out where I was."

"Oh, well, back to work."

She lassoed herself over to the console and began prying off the paneling. She was starting to accumulate quite a collection. Most of the flooring was pulled up by now, and the whole interior was beginning to take on the appearance of a skeleton. She'd even managed to gather up all the remains of the zebra and give him as proper a burial as she could. By launching all the parts down to burn up in the atmosphere.

Interesting fact: most shooting stars seen from the ground are actually smaller than a grain of sand. She found herself in morbid wonder at how much longer these larger chunks would last before burning up. But, she didn't have time for that. She had a family to go home to. But to ensure that she didn't just disintegrate and fall apart once she fell into the atmosphere, she needed to cover all the holes and smooth up the dents of her ship.

It was going to be a long process, but she was more than willing to sacrifice the time and effort. Besides, she wasn't feeling particularly tired. The reason for this escaped her; she just passed it off as the talismans riddled throughout her spacesuit and body. They were supposed to help her, maybe they did a better job than the Ministry mares had thought they would. That was probably why they thought she was dead. They didn't know what they had built. She was just fine, kicking and healthy. That's what she kept on telling herself, over and over again.

"...ther news: there's a band of thieves reported along Route 12 using the guise of being helpful and friendly. They've managed to lure several ponies into their clutches, and then promptly raped and robbed them. So, if you're travelling Route 12, be careful who you give your location to. This is JT signing off, and remember, in case I don't see you... good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight."

Andromeda didn't bother trying to link to this one. She had learned quickly to tell the difference between major broadcasters and simple radio stations. Things did not go well the last couple times she'd interrupted a major broadcaster.


*	*	*


"...selling their irradiated cabbages for half price; saying they're good for stomach problems. Iiii wouldn't trust that. Anyway, back to the music section. Starting off with a little Sweetie Be..."

"Hello? Hello? Can you hear me? This is Space Captain Andromeda, requesting help. I'm drifting in orbit and need somepony to contact the Ministries and tell them I'm alive. Please, can anypony hear me?"

"What the? Who are you? How dare you hack my station. Get off the air."

"Please, you don't under..."

"No! Get off, now. It's a capital offense to hack a major broadcaster. Not get off before we track the signal and sic the guard on you."

"The Ministries will pay for whatever loss of revenue you've made. Please I just need you to contact Twilight Sparkle, or Fluttershy. Tell them that I..."

"That's it, I'm putting a trace on it right now. Then you can go to Tartarus with those damned Ministry Mares."

She promptly cut the link. That was the fifth broadcaster that seemed to have a problem with the Ministries. She gave up after that and decided to just listen to them instead to help pass the time. It was better than arguing with these unpatriotic Neanderthals.


*	*	*


Using the larger DMCs (digital magic cubes -- she was proud of that acronym), she began pounding the outer hull, smoothing out the dents. The magical sledgehammer would have been more awesome if there were sound in space, but it was still fun. The flared out areas where meteors had blown through were a bit harder to work with, since she needed a perfectly flat surface, or she would risk it falling to pieces when the friction caught a snag. This was also why she was using the panels as scaling over the most messed up areas, so the wind would roll off of it. But the scales needed all the edges rounded off and the weaving extremely tight.

Even with all the pounding and scaling, it still wasn't smooth enough to survive the trip down. After some thought, she developed a new trick with the micro DMCs. She found that if she just offset the angle of the cubes in the slightest, she got an effective form of magical sandpaper. But even then, the rocketship was no rowboat. It needed a lot of work.

Just the sanding, which would be last the last thing, would take days. So far she had barely covered half of the holes with the scaling, and there were still plenty of dents to pound out. "Why couldn't the ship be alive, and heal like pony? That's what the Ministries should have tried to do, create a biological rocketship."

Whenever she was caught up in one of these rants, her pipbuck would be sure to remind her:

---SUGGESTION---MAINTAIN SANITY---

"Oh, hush, pipbuck," she giggled in a fit. Then a thought struck her. "You know what? I'm getting tired of calling you 'pipbuck'."

---WARNING---

"You need something more creative," she mused, tapping her helmet in thought.

---WARNING---SUGGESTION---MAINTAIN SANITY---

"Something clever."

---THIS PIPBUCK RECOMMENDS YOU NOT TO GIVE AN IDENTITY TO INANIMATE OBJECTS SUCH AS PIPBUCKS BECAUSE PIPBUCKS HAVE NO INDIVIDUALITY IT REMAINS A PIPBUCK---

"Yeah, but you're a special pipbuck," Andromeda reasoned wryly. "You're the only one of your kind. To not give you a name would be like calling Cloudsdale just 'that city'. Know what I mean?"

---PROCESSING---PROCESSING---LOGIC LOCATED---WEAK---WITHIN ACCEPTABLE RAMIFICATIONS---INPUT DESIRED INTERFACE DESIGNATION---

Excited that she had just out-thought a computer, she considered possible names. "Pepto-Bismol, you know medicine, because you're just trying to help. Plus it sounds close enough to 'pipbuck' so that I won't be going too crazy."

---ACCEPTABLE---

"And I'll call you Peppy as a nickname."

---UNFORESEEABLE ERROR---SUGGESTION---MAINTAIN SANITY---


*	*	*


The question finally arrived; was there any fuel left in the tanks? And how did she go about checking? She wasn't about to just cut her way into the engine and risk blowing everything up. Fortunately, Command had stored blueprints for just this kind of thing in Peppy. The DMC came in in handy here too, being shaped into multiple different tools.

The first step was to enter through the armory. She had already removed the hatch and turned it into a few dozens scales, half of which were used to cover the holes in the armory itself. None of the weapon canisters had been lost, but one of the guns themselves appeared to have fallen out through a large gash. She used the micro DMCs to unscrew a panel and set it aside for later, uncovering a gap just large enough for her to squeeze through with her helmet on.

Using her magic as a lamp, she crawled inside the maintenance tube and quickly followed the little map on her HUD into the bowels of the machine. It was all dead. The magical technology appeared to have gone out years ago, which didn't make sense to Andromeda. The stuff should have lasted at least a couple centuries, with all the enchantments put on it. But then, maybe that zebra's toxin had special magic as well. She would need to inform the Ministries about this.

A clicking sound turned her eyes towards Peppy's screen.

---UNKNOWN RADIATION DETECTED---THREAT LEVEL: NONE---

"Interesting," Andromeda said with a shrug, moving forward. The clicking increased, worrying her slightly, but Peppy told her it wasn't a threat. When she arrived at the engine valves the clicking was quite loud. "Stop clicking, already."

---INADVISABLE---

"Just until the radiation becomes dangerous," groaned an exasperated Andromeda.

---LOGICAL---

Andromeda focused her magic to become brighter and peered at the pipes and dials. Alarm crossed her face when she saw that they appeared to be welded solid. "What the...?" she moved closer and tapped a shoe against them. They were perfectly solid. "Is it supposed to be like that?"

---NEGATIVE---

"Can't you just say 'no'?"

---NEGATIVE---

"Can I change that?"

---INADVISABLE---

"So I can?" Andromeda asked, a smile crossing her face. "You didn't say no."

---PRENCH---GERMANE---EQUISH---NEIGHPONESE---IS THE USER FAMILIAR WITH THESE---

"Horseapples," Andromeda muttered, tapping the pipes again. "Anyway. How am I supposed to check if there's any fuel? Everything's stuck."

---NO SOLUTION AVAILABLE---

Andromeda thought for a minute. "I'm gonna cut it."

---INADVISABLE---

But she didn't listen. A small DMC saw, and she began making a small incision in the side of one pipe. All the while Peppy was flashing warnings for her to stop. For some reason, this pipe seemed especially resistant to her saw. Then she broke through and pink gas filled her vision.
> Chapter Four: The Days of Mercy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

---WARNING---TOXIC SUBSTANCE DETECTED---THREAT LEVEL: NONE---

"What do mean that stuff isn't dangerous?" Andromeda demanded while she drifted outside the rocketship, secured by the DMC tether. "Look what it did to my ship. And you're saying it's not dangerous?"

---SUBSTANCE NOT DANGEROUS TO SUBJECT---

"And how do you know that?" she asked again louder this time.

---SUBJECT STATUS: DECEASED---CONDITION: STABLE---

"Oh. Of course," Mercy growled angrily. "Because I'm dead that stuff doesn't do anything. That's why you said the radiation wasn't a threat either, now was it?"

---AFFIRMATIVE---

"If I start bursting open with tumors, I'm gonna kill you."

---THIS DEVICE WAS NOT PROGRAMMED WITH FEAR---

"Trust me," Andromeda said through clenched teeth. "By the time I'm done with you... you'll learn."

---SUGGESTION---MAINTAIN SANITY---


*	*	*


Radiation and toxic gas or not, Andromeda still had work to do. She slowly crept aboard the ship and moved towards the armory, expecting to find it filled with the pink fumes. But it was all clear. In fact, Peppy wasn't reading it anymore at all. She lassoed her self into the maintenance tube, pausing only when the Geiger counter began ticking again. She quickened her pace, not liking it one bit. But her daughter's cries still echoed in her head. She reached the valves again and looked them over. There wasn't even a scratch on them.

"Uuuh, Peppy?" she began as she began to back away, feeling very frightened now, "I may not be the brightest mare in the world, but, I'm pretty sure that's not supposed to happen."

---LOGICAL---

She took a deep breath and approached the pipes, preparing another saw. "Peppy, I want you to analyze the gas, to see if there are any traces of fuel inside of it."

She didn't even pay attention to the pipbuck's response before she began cutting. This time she wouldn't be frightened away. Last time it had scared her. It brought back memories of that single most terrifying moment of her life. But this time, she was prepared and determined. She narrowed her eyes as the saw cut deeper. Then, finally, the gas rushed out and consumed her. She remained still, shaking a little, but held fast by thoughts of her family.

"Tell me what this is, Peppy," she ordered as she watched the gas swirl around her.

---ANALYSES: ROCKET FUEL---TAINTED BY UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE---UTILIZATION---POSSIBLE IGNITION---

Andromeda watched in amazement as the gas began to seep back inside of the pipes, rebuilding the hole as it went. She leaned in close and inspected it with a hopeful look on her face. "So, it might be good enough to use as fuel?"

---73% CHANCE---

Andromeda nodded and took a deep breath. "I'll take it. Just need to find the ignition batteries then. Do you know where they're located?"

She followed Peppy's display further into the tube and found another panel. Behind it were three red boxes with yellow lightning bolts on the sides. She reached out with her magic, finding them to be quite dead. But, there were perks with being a unicorn.

The zap-zap beam, the joy of foals, and the agony of adults. A simple playground spell for sending a beam of static through the air and making a friend or enemy yelp in surprise. Not to be used on the swingsets or slides.

The beam firmly concentrated on the metal knobs, she sat and began to charge the batteries while thinking of how to pass the time. She never got what she wanted whenever she contacted anypony, and none of the Ministries seemed to be paying attention to the skies.

"Peppy? Can you find a music station?" she asked,watching the purple electricity transferring from her horn to the battery.

---NO KNOWN STATIONS DETECTED---

Andromeda rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Just find one that's playing music. Okay?"

---SUGGESTION---USE THIS PIPBUCK'S STORED PLAYLIST---

Her eyes went wide as she stared at the words, almost stopping the beam. "You have a playlist? Why didn't... You know what? it's not important. Just begin playing, please."

---BEGINNING TRACK 1 OF 23---


*	*	*


...Because, don't you know?
It's all part of the shooooow

Three songs later, Andromeda had the batteries recharged and ready to go. Her next step was to gather the panels she'd pulled from inside the tube and begin turning them into scales. She cut them quickly and crawled outside to start layering them over the holes. As she began cutting the strands into the area around the holes themselves, movement from the planet below caught her eye.

Turning, she watched as the clouds seemed to be pulling apart. It was strange. They had covered most of the world since she'd woken up. To see them just vanishing like this seemed odd. It would about a million pegasi working in perfect unison to perform such a feat. Perhaps this was a battle tactic or something. Did Equestria hide the sun from the zebras for some reason? She had to admit, that would be a spectacular thing to see from below. Space was getting old.

While the clouds rolled away, she returned to her work, and wove the scales. She almost wished she had a soundtrack of her own for that moment when the clouds passed away. Perhaps it was a good omen, like the world was beckoning her to come back. She'd take whatever signs she could get at the moment.

I'm headin' for Marepony,
With the sun at my back,
And two mares by my side

"What would any stallion do with two mares," Andromeda chuckled to herself while listening to the song. Then an image appeared in her head. She blushed and frowned. "Thanks for nothing brain. Now I'm gonna have nightmares for a week."

She brushed up every covered hole with a quick sanding job before moving on to the next. By the time she figured she had covered half the holes, the rocketship had moved onto the dark side of the planet. This sky was always clear, and with the light reflecting off the moon, she saw could see the zebra continent, appearing peaceful from above. But, she knew war was waging heavily throughout their borders. She wondered if they were as terrified of ponies as ponies were of them.

Andromeda paused for a moment in her work to wave at the zebra homeland. "Don't worry," she called out, even though she knew no pony would hear her, "it's all going to be over one day. Then we can all be friends again."


*	*	*


"...And with the capture of the notorious Mayor of Route 12, the wasteland travelers can now rest easier knowing the roads are clear once again. The New Canterlot Republic guard has once again fulfilled its duty to Equestria in the aftermath of the Lightbringer's victory. Once again, here's to you, Stable Dweller."

"The New Canterlot Republic again?" Andromeda complained to herself as she repaired the wiring in the cockpit. She had decided to move one of the ignition batteries into the dashboard after finding no way to fix the original power source. It wasn't going to be able to run all those systems on the console for long, so she had been disconnecting everything but the most vital components. That being the engine controls.

"I suppose they're doing a nice job and everything," she continued as she began to route the gold wires to the battery, "but, by Celestia's shiny posterior, its almost all they talk about. What about the Royal Guard and the Ministries? They don't even mention Luna or Celestia at all. Something needs to be done."

She connected the wires and slipped out of the dashboard to stretch her hooves and back. "Aaaaah. That feels good. And they don't even mention the war either. I want to know what's going on. Who's this Stable Dweller? Lightbringer? Why don't they talk about the Enclave anymore? Whoever they were. I guess this is what happen when you wakeup from a gas induced coma."

She sniffed the air inside her helmet. She was thankful Ministry of Image's luster enchantments took care of smell as well. She'd smelled at least a dozen different types of fruits, and a hundred different flowers. The scents cycled randomly so she wouldn't be overpowered by a single scent during her time in space. "I bet I'd smell a hundred kinds of awful if I ever took this suit off. A bath. My rocketship for a bath."

She lassoed herself outside and made her way to the ship's belly, where twenty evenly-spaced ports sat, covering the barrels of Equestria's first astral artillery. This part of Hope was by far the least damaged, since it faced the planet and not open space for a rock to hit it. Still, she moved along to check all the ports to make sure they were solidly in place. After checking each one, she moved back to the thrusters. There were three main thrusters, and six smaller ones spread around the rim for landing maneuvers. They were patched up as well as she could manage, needing them to slow her descent in, hopefully, just a few more days. She actually smiled a truly happy grin. She was almost ready to go home.

She had Peppy cut off the radio and play a random song.

Tea for two and muffins for you,
That's the way we'll fight our battle,
Roughin' up the biscuits,
Plunderin' the pies,
Afore we know it, everypony dies...

She moved to the port side and nodded at all the scaling. It was all finished, now all that was necessary was the sanding. This was the most lengthy and laborious of the tasks. But one she diligently performed so she could return home. She generated the micro DMCs and began her work. She had started sanding around the scaling first, then worked her way out and filled in the gaps.

...burning turnips and curled lettuce,
We fought our way across the banquet,
rivers of punch and canyons of cake,
round and round the sour cream flake...


*	*	*


This was it. The final day she would have to suffer in the weightless void. Space Captain Mercy Andromeda pulled the antennae off of the outside of the rocketship and brought inside. No sense just letting it snap off upon reentry. She tossed it into the armory and then lassoed herself over to the pilot seat. She settled nervously into it and strapped herself in. A single screen on the dashboard lit up, displaying readouts and commands.

The ship had actually been repaired much earlier, but she didn't feel like landing in zebra territory or the ocean. While waiting, she had gone over every square inch of the engines and dashboard with Peppy, making sure everything was connected properly. Even the though the engines appeared to be repairing themselves now, she had to be certain. She wondered if, perhaps, the zebras might have unwittingly given Equestria an edge. Self-repairing metal would be extraordinary.

"Alright," she said, taking a deep breath, "time to see if that tainted fuel works." She gulped down a lump of anxiety. "Ignite engines 4 and 5."

Two of the smaller engines lit up and began angling the rocketship's nose towards the planet.

"Stop 4 and 5. Fire engines 7 and 8."

The first two stopped working, but the rocketship kept on tilting in the zero-gravity, until numbers 7 and 8 flared up and counteracted the motion.

"Stop 4 and 5. Okay... okay," Andromeda said to herself, breathing hard. This had to be perfect. Too steep an angle and she would burn up, too shallow and she would glance off into eternity. She swallowed another lump and closed her eyes. "Ignite engine 2."

One of the three main thrusters lit up and began to push the rocketship forward toward the planet. Then she lit up the other two in quick succession. She waited a few moments to reach full velocity, and then cut the main engines.

"Ignite engines 4 and 5," she commanded in an unsettled tone.

The plummeting rocketship began to tilt again until its back end was facing the planet. This left Andromeda blind, not able to see the ground. Since the automatic systems had been cut, she had had to go over emergency simulations with Peppy to get the timings correct. The numbers of which engines she was supposed to turn on or off appeared on her HUD alongside countdown times for her to work by. But even if the Ministries had poured every ounce of research and genius they had into this, she still wasn't comfortable in the least. She wasn't sure if her scaling would even hold. At least she didn't have to repair the forward view screen; since it would be facing space the air friction wouldn't even touch it.

---THREE---TWO---ONE---

"Stop 4 and 5," she shouted unnecessarily. "Ignite 6, 7, 8, and 9."

---TWO---ONE---

"Stop all engines." She felt herself starting to shake.

---FIVE---FOUR---THREE---TWO---ONE---

"Ignite engine 2."

Right on time. The second main thruster ignited just before impact with the atmosphere. Breaking the surface tension and allowing the rocketship to slip through. Andromeda felt a special kind of euphoria she had thought only possible in the bedroom. Sound. Not a radio. Not her own voice. Actual sound. As terrifying as the roaring elements outside were, she felt a kind of peace settle over her.

"Sound," she managed to chuckle through the rattling and thundering around her.

---SEVENTEEN---SIXTEEN---FIFTEEN---FOURTEEN---

The air around the rocketship began to glow bright gold, fringed in orange. The scaling rattled and began to glow as well in the extreme heat. But, miraculously, it all managed to hold together.

---SIX---FIVE---FOUR---THREE---TWO---ONE---

"Ignite engine 3," Andromeda shouted, almost immediately as she felt her decent begin to slow. She also began to feel the sensation of being drunk. She remembered Ministry Mare Twilight talking about stuff like this. Where volunteers put in sensory deprivation chambers for extended periods of time would come out and wind up in a literal drunken state when presented a sight, a scent, taste, or even a sound. Her extended time in that hideous void was dangerously close to putting her in a drunken stupor. That would be bad at this moment in time, but she just couldn't remove the smile from her face when she wondered if Princess Luna felt something much stronger after her thousand year banishment.

---FOUR---THREE---TWO---ONE---

"Ignite engine 1." The restraints were becoming less tight around her chest now. She took a couple deep breaths, trying to shake off the drunkenness. "Com'on, Andromeda, you need to focus. Don't do this now."

She stared past her HUD at space, and scowled. At one time, it seemed so long ago now, she had dreamed of being up there. Had imagined a beautiful place of uninterrupted beauty, unsoiled by pony hooves. Now, she hated it. It was dead. It could stay that way for all she cared. Her life's dream had been a waste of time. It had ruined everything for her. When she got home, she wanted nothing more than to hug and kiss the life out of her family. After that, she planned on accepting her husband's birthday plans.

Then, Hope gave a violent buck and snapped her out of her musings.

Some of the scaling had actually melted and went flying off, opening one of the holes. Fortunately, she was descending slow enough to not be ripped apart. The sudden air pressure shattered the forward view screen, and hot air began to whistle past Andromeda's helmet, quickly heating the air inside. Then, the chair she was sitting on began to smolder, then smoke, and finally burst into flames.

Mercy fought to control her panic, feeling the hot bite of the air inside her helmet. The sides of it were beginning to glow from the temperature. All she could do was hope to land soon so she could throw off her restraints and rush outside. The fire wouldn't bother her suit, or her body under it, it was only the helmet that was dangerous to her. It could withstand the normal temperature from the interior, but when the superheated air was brushing right up against it, then there was a problem.

More scaling fell away, and the rocketship began bucking and rocking in the air, its descent becoming rougher and more dangerous with each passing moment. Even the repairs on the thrusters were beginning to fall apart. But the nose was still facing up, which meant that it could still land.

Andromeda watched the final countdown tick as her burning mane and fur started to stink up the inside of her helmet.

---EIGHTEEN---SEVENTEEN---SIXTEEN---FIFTEEN---

She coughed and fought to keep her eyes open in the heat. Cracks started to form on the helmet as pressure and heat built up on the inside. Her chair was little more than burnt stuffing and rods.

---NINE---EIGHT---SEVEN---SIX---FIVE---

She felt her flesh split open in a few places, and the open cuts stung badly. She pushed her head forward to watch the timer more closely. But getting that close to the heated helmet hurt her eyes, and she found herself unable to open them. Grief, not terror, flooded over her. How could get back to her family, if she couldn't see the timer? Could she even talk? She could only give a guess. She would have to estimate the time herself. She took a deep breath as she waited counted down the rest of the way in her head. four, three, two, one.

"Ignite all engines," she managed to croak out.

She felt the chair rods dig into her back as the remaining six thrusters activated, immensely slowing her descent. But was it in time? Or worse, early? If she did it too early, she would wind up back in space. She would much prefer being too late than going back up into that living hell. She pulled in her hooves close to her body and cringed as she awaited the verdict. Long minutes dragged out, creating a sinking feeling in her stomach. Then there was a loud BANG, and the rods of the chair bent until they snapped, dragging Andromeda down with them onto the back wall that now served as the floor.

Andromeda gasped and choked on joyous sobs. She'd done it. She was alive, and she had landed. Then, she began to feel the sensation of rising again. She realized, to her horror, that she hadn't turned off the engines.

"Stop all engines, stop all engines!" she shouted over and over again, until she felt the sensation of falling. This crash was worse than the first, but at least she didn't fall again. She groaned. Her whole body ached. She removed the restraints and wobbled to a standing position. She blinked her eyes open and watched as her helmet ceased glowing; the cracks were sealing themselves. But that wasn't very important to her. She wanted out.

She rushed over to the exit hatch, or at least tried to. The rocketship started to lean to one side, and she slipped and slid across the floor in the opposite direction of the hatch. She hit the wall as Hope fell on her side with crash. There was some minor rocking from side to side, but then it all settled down and was silent.

Andromeda got up and looked up at the hatch on what now served as the ceiling. It didn't matter though. She could just go out one of the opened holes, or where the view screen used to be. She remained in one place for the longest time to make sure it wouldn't move anymore, and then she collapsed upon the ground and wept bittersweet tears.

"I'm home, I'm home," she cried out to the world in ecstatic enthusiasm. She slowly pushed herself back up off the floor and moved towards the nose, ducking down and stepping out to get her first view of the surrounding landscape. Even though it was night, her eyes had adjusted well to the darkness, and, in fact, she had to blink a few times before the moon wasn't too bright for her.

She had, more or less, landed on a hilltop in some mountainous region of Equestria. Peppy told her it was the Red Horn Range, wherever that was. There were trees everywhere, with snow capped peaks higher up; she appeared to have landed in the only clearing within several miles. She would have sat down on the grass and just watched the world go by, but she had a family to find.

She turned around and slipped back into the rocketship, then emerged a few minutes later with her chair's restraints tied around her waist and four pistols from the canisters pushed through them. No way was she going to go through an unknown wilderness without some form of protection. She took a deep breath and took one final look at Hope before turning her back to it and lifting up her pipbuck.

"Peppy, do you know where Stable 41 is?" she asked in a surprisingly clear voice. She hadn't noticed the smell vanish from inside her helmet, nor the fact that al her injuries were quickly fading. Her mane and tail were both full and clean again, and the places where her flesh opened had sealed again without a scar.

---NEGATIVE---

"Then mark the nearest town on my HUD," Andromeda ordered, stamping her hoof back down. A purple triangle appeared on the right. She turned herself until it was in the center of her view, and began marching forward. Her quick, even steps sounded like music to her ears as she vanished into the tree line.

Back at Hope, things were happening. The pink gas began to seep from the engines in long searching tendrils. One tentacle found an old rifle somepony had lost, and began pulling it back to the rocketship, all the while stripping what wasn't metal from it and reshaping what was. Inside as well, whatever wasn't stationary was swiftly gathered up and reshaped. The holes in the hull were slowly beginning to seal up as though it were a living creature. And, slowly, one by one, the screens on the dashboard began to light up, humming in choir.
> Chapter Five: Promise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The forest was thick, dark and gloomy. She was pretty sure it was midday by now, but it was hard to tell. The canopy overhead was so thick, as if the coniferous branches had been woven together in a sheet. There was barely enough light to see the ground under her hooves. But she plodded forward, both for her family and to put as much distance between her and that prison of solitude as she could. She might have felt afraid, if not for the fact that the only sound she even heard was the wind whistling overhead and a distant bird every so often.

It was almost as if the animals of the forest were avoiding her. But she wasn't that deep a thinker; she tended to see the surface of things to make her judgments. Then she would stubbornly defend her position even after being proven wrong, just because she could. So this trek through the forest was more like a walk in the park to her, unafraid, and still relishing the firm ground beneath her. Besides, she had a few Ministry weapons nestled close to boost her confidence.

She completely ignored the fact that she wasn't fatigued, reasoning that it was all the talismans, and general trying to distract her mind with better thoughts. Like Hearth's Warming. Her daughter would be in the school's annual pageant on the Eve, and when they got home they would let her open one present early. She was very fond of the pageant, even though it was fairly flawed. It was pretty obvious the pegasi and the unicorns were taking the earth ponies to the cleaners, even if they toned that down to make it look like everypony was getting jilted. There also the theory that it was the earth ponies that saved everypony that winter. She liked that one, even if she was a unicorn.

One thing she would always like to point out was that the entire pageant, though enjoyable, was all a centuries-old, equality-stuffed, propaganda farce. Commander Hurricane, Chancellor Puddinghead (theoretically: Levelhead), and Smart Cookie were all stallions, opposite to Princess Platinum, Clover the Clever, and Private Pansy all being mares. But they could all be played by either gender, Princess Platinum being the obvious exception, in the play to force equality and harmony down the throats of ponies for centuries. There had been talk of revising it, but the real records of what happened that day were long gone, and Princess Celestia had admitted it was before her time.

Andromeda paused for a second. Maybe she was a deeper thinker than she thought. "Naw," she shook her head to dispel the thought, "couldn't be."

Looking about, she found that she had managed to get a little off course during her mental rant. She couldn't get lost thanks to Peppy's infallible map-tracking matrix. Admittedly, she was following the directions of a device that kept insisting she was dead. But what else could she do? After all, a stopped watch was right twice a day. Or was that a bad thing?

She turned left to center the directional-triangle and picked up her pace a bit. Never could she have realized that her sudden shift in direction caused a large stirring amongst the local wildlife. They knew this mare was more than she seemed, or what she thought she was. She didn't even smell like a pony anymore. The beasts of the field smelled the creature she was now, and it drove them away. Anywhere out of this new creature's path.

The totally not-dead mare jogged across the landscape, leaping rocks, small creeks and old rotting logs. A couple of times she had to leap across a small ravine. Another time she was over confident and wound up missing the other side by a few feet. Fortunately it wasn't very deep. But it did inconvenience her to have to trot along between the cliffs until she came to a slope she could climb.

With some disgruntled muttering, and a few kicks of dirt with her back legs, she was on her way again. "Why are there so many ravines? Or perhaps a path. I'm tired of walking through brambles, mud puddles, and..."

At that moment she burst out of the tree line and came face-to-face with civilization. But that wasn't what really drew her attention. Not twenty yards to her left, wide and clean for all to see, was a well-worn dirt road with a bridge, she had somehow missed, over the ravine. "Oh, come on."


*	*	*


WELCOME TO PROMISE, NO GHOULS OR MARAUDERS said the big, arched sign that hung over the great wooden gates of the walled-off town. The wall around Promise was made up of hundreds of logs driven deep into the ground, with the tops sharpened to wicked points. About the base of the wall were stacked stones, held firmly in place with a clay and straw mixture, and in front of that was a deep ditch full of sharpened wood stakes, some of which glistened bright red. But the most distinguishing feature of the wall were the large scorch marks around the gates and the saw-blade axe stuck in its timbers.

"Oookaay," Andromeda said to herself as she drew closer to the gates at a leisurely saunter, trying to take it all in, and doing her best not to just freak out and hug the gates of civilization. "It's either one of those apocalypse cults, or a heavy-duty LARPing center. Remain calm, Mercy, don't hug the natives."

Just as she came within a few yards of the gate, the road beneath her front right hoof suddenly gave way and she was left teetering at the edge of rather long drop with sharp spikes at the bottom. With much effort, she managed to rock herself backwards and onto better ground, where she promptly began screaming up at the gates like a banshee.

"What in the actual bucking, flogged-plot, tartarus-bum-licking buck, was that? You trying to get somepony killed? Well, buck you. Buck you all. It was such a nice day. Just... just... buuuuck."

An earth pony wearing a blue stetson with a metal band of scrap metal peered over the edge of the wall down at her, a scowl on his face. "State your business, unicorn."

Andromeda managed to reign in the flurry of curses she was about ready to blast in his face. "Yep, apocalypse cult," she muttered. She cleared her throat and spoke out forcefully, "My name is Mercy Andromeda, a Captain of Equestria, I seek lodging and directions."

Another earth pony appeared, this one carrying a rifle in his mouth. He narrowed his eyes at her as first one spoke again. "Are you with the Harlequin Mask Marauders?"

A slightly confused Andromeda glared back. "Of course not. I'm a loyal citizen of Equestria, and will not go joining some rogue political group."

The two earth ponies looked at each other and shrugged. The first tilted his head to her and asked, "Do you have anything to trade?"

Her glare gave way when she realized that was one thing she didn't have. "No, I'm sorry, I don't have any bits. But..."

"What about those guns?" the second one asked after setting his rifle to the side.

Andromeda dropped into a defensive posture. She had taken an oath to protect the Ministries' equipment. Hope was safe enough with all it's background radiation. In fact, she was fairly surprised that it didn't start a forest fire upon arrival. That was curious. "You can try and take them. If you think that little pea-shooter of yours can do anything against Ministry technology."

Her eyes went wide when a dozen or so more heads popped up over the wall, all wielding rifles either in their mouths or on battle saddles. Mercy noted that they were all earth ponies, and then the name Promise began to sound familiar to her. She thought for a minute what her best course of action might be. After moment of staring down the guns, a smile spread across her features and drew herself up nonchalantly.

Using her magic, she pulled out one of the pistols. It was a slender, piece of work, a magical energy weapons of sorts, almost like an elongated hoofball with two rods sticking out the end, and an energy meter in on the very back. It had the standard mouth-grip most weapons had, and was battle-saddle compatible. "So, you want one of these do you?"

The earth ponies on the wall were taken slightly aback by her calm attitude, but still kept their guns trained on the unicorn mare. The first earth pony cleared his throat and nodded. "If you want to get inside of Promise, then yes. We will gladly accommodate you for one night for just one of those."

"Hmmm," Andromeda thought to herself, tapping her helmet thoughtfully, "how about... no."

Still looking at the earth ponies on the wall, she aimed the pistol behind her and fired. A brilliant flash of blue energy shot from the two rods and blasted off. She had intended to hit a tree, but without SATS, or any kind of aiming at all, she instead hit the bridge over the ravine. It was reduced to fiery splinters and ashes. A large chunk glanced off the top of her helmet, but she didn't flinch.

She quickly realized that she had probably just destroyed an important part of the town's income by destroying that bridge. But she couldn't show the slightest bit of panic, or they might feel that they had an advantage over her. She returned the pistol to it's former place by were side and winked at the ponies up on the wall.

"Well?" she asked with a confident little chuckle, even though she was sweating on the inside. "How about a new deal? You let me spend one night, and I don't reduce your little town to ashes." She generated a bright aura around all of her pistols for emphasis. "Sound good to you?"


*	*	*


Unique: that's the word Andromeda would use to describe the town. Amongst the wooden houses were concrete-and-metal bunkers with heavy square doors, like safes, or P.O. boxes. It took her a moment to recognize them. Stable-Tech mini-stables, for the more out of the way, less populated areas, where megaspells would not be wasted. Despite being cheaper, though, these ponies did not look like they could have afforded them. She thought it might be a testing area for Stable-Tech, but then realized that the multi-million bit company would in no way build such a cheap wall, even if they were pretty spectacular. It would have had to have been built some time after the mini-stables. Andromeda chuckled with the thought that maybe they spent all their money on the stables that they could only afford to make the wooden walls.

Mercy walked through a marketplace of tent canopies, wooden display tables, produce carts, and covered wagons. It was like some sort of post-apocalyptic smorgasbord. There were even watchtowers and lookout points on the roofs, each with one or two armed earth ponies. All non-earth ponies, like Andromeda, were forced to wear red arm-badges to make them more easily identifiable... and easier targets. Meanwhile, all out of town earth ponies were wearing blue armbands.

This was blatant racism. Never had she seen anything like this. Usually it was unicorns and pegasi lording over the 'mud ponies'. Andromeda didn't care for this way of thinking. She was a centered mare, not very refined, but at least hospitable and kind. Besides, her husband was a large mass of earth-shifting goodness. Bedroom thoughts aside, she did her best not to antagonize the natives.

She stopped at one of the booths and peered it over. Racks of meat were suspended over hot rocks by pine sticks. Now, ponies weren't strictly vegetarian; every once in a while meat was acceptable, especially in hard times when fruits and veggies just didn't have enough nutrients. She had dabbled a little in her younger days, enough to know the different cuts of meat at a glance. Most of this seemed to be wild fowl, dark meat with a honey glaze. She leaned forward to give it a sniff.

"Raspberries?" she asked, perplexed at this. Then she remembered the luster spell in the helmet. She rolled her eyes and sat down to take off the fishbowl helmet. "Silly filly. As if you could smell anything with this on anyway."

At first, she pressed a hoof on the little latch on the side, twisting it. Nothing happened. She got both her hooves at it and tried to get it off. "Oh... come on. I'm hungry."

---NEGATIVE---STARVATION IMPOSSIBLE---SUBJECT STATUS: DECEASED---

"I'm not dead," Andromeda shouted as she began pound at the latch with her forehooves and kicking at the glass with her hind legs. She was quickly drawing a crowd to view the spectacle of a mare in a spacesuit rolling around and kicking up dirt.

Laughter erupted out at full volume from the gathered crowd. Some of the rougher looking stallions made some rather lewd comments at the pretty lady's predicament, while some of the mares began making obscene gestures. Even the foals were getting in on it, which would have floored Andromeda had she been paying attention to anything other than her uncooperative helmet. She thrashed about and beat it against the ground, but to no avail.

A shot rang out and everypony suddenly stopped laughing and backed away from the still-struggling mare. The shot had been fired into the air by the Stetson-wearing earth pony, who was now accompanied by a rather pudgy blue earth pony in a derby and gray vest. This new pony also sported the most exquisite of mustaches, almost a like a set of longhorn horns.

The two ponies approached the mare and stood over her as she was still trying to remove the helmet. The first pony looked at the second, who nodded, and then gave a swift kick to Andromeda's side.

Mercy let out a yelp of pain and leapt up, racing around in circles until it subsided. Never let an earth pony kick you. Finally she slowed to a mere dance. "Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow. What was that for? Oh, it's you."

The pudgy pony stepped forward and gave her a look that might have stopped a charging buffalo. "I am Mayor Mundane, and I have come to understand that you are the mare responsible for the destruction of town property. Is this so?" he inquired a rich baritone voice.

Andromeda felt slightly intimidated. She looked down at the scuff marks on the ground. "Oh? I didn't realize you kept your dirt manicured."

There was a collective gasp from the residents of the town. They didn't realize how sincere she was, and thought that she had just zinged their mayor. He apparently had no sense of humor.

"The audacity," Mayor Mundane growled, putting a hoof to his chest. "Who do you think you are to dare talk to your betters like that?"

Andromeda wondered if he was really serious. Nevertheless, she was going to be perfectly cooperative. "Space Captain Andromeda, and I would be more than happy to smooth back out your dirt, Mayor Mundane."

She promptly set to work amongst the ensuing laughter, sweeping the ground her tail and humming a little tune. There were a few chuckles amongst the locals, but these were quickly silenced by a glare from the mayor's crony. Mayor Mundane looked as though he had just been slapped in the face. He regarded this mare with a look of shock and rage.

Mercy gave the patch of ground one final sweep of her tail and nodded. "There, all done. And, I must say, it looks a whole lot better than the rest of the dirt around it. Have a nice day."

BLAM! PING!

Andromeda looked at powder marks on the front of her helmet, feeling a mix of terror and awe. There wasn't even a scratch. But that didn't change the fact that the mayor had taken his crony's gun and shot at her. She lifted a hoof and wiped away the powder marks to glare daggers at the two earth ponies. "Hey. This is an expensive piece of equipment. Be a little bit more careful, for buck's sake. I mean, what if it wasn't made out of super-condensed transparent iron? You could have killed me."

The gun dropped from the mayor's mouth and his eyes had grown quite large. Andromeda mistook the expression's meaning.

"Yeah, that's right," she went on, "you almost killed somepony. How would that have looked on your resume? 'Small Town Mayor Kills Mare, says he was just testing her helmet after make her sweep dirt'. Is this town just full of idiots?"

"Well, they did elect him," a pony said from somewhere in the crowd.

Mayor Mundane began to seethe as a chorus of laughs rose up into the sky. "You insolent unicorn," he shrieked. "I'll teach you to laugh at me."

Andromeda felt shocked. It was all confusing. Why was everypony laughing? The mayor was certainly angry though. "I'm not laughing. There's absolutely nothing funny about you."

Maybe it was the sincerity in her voice, or the calm way she said it. But, either way, the mayor plopped down on his plot and just stared at her with his mouth wide open. Even the locals were giving her shocked looks. The traders were speechless as well, for at a least a couple minutes, before bursting out laughing.

"What's going on?" Andromeda asked, sitting down herself and looking about at all the mixed expressions. "I fixed your dirt, I mean, that's not even half as bad as what I did to your bridge, I mean, it's nothing but splinters now and..." the light suddenly clicked on. "Ooooh. Yeah. You weren't talking about the dirt, were you?"

The traders suddenly stopped laughing and stared in horror at her. The laughter quickly disappeared and was replaced by anger and frustration. The bridge was apparently the only way in and out of the town. Angry shouts began issuing forth, forcing Andromeda to back up until her back came in contact with the grill. Fortunately, anything less than friction created during a freefall from space didn't get through the suit's asbestos polymers. She looked out at the crowd in growing fear. Her helmet might protect her head, but the rest of the suit was soft enough for a bad beating.

"I-I can make it up to you all," she tried to reason, but they weren't listening. They kept on getting closer and their faces getting angrier. The mayor and his crony sure didn't appear like they were going to help her out of this one. So she panicked. All four pistols were whipped out and fired into the ground, creating rather large craters at the hooves of the advancing ponies.

She took several deep breathes to calm herself, as the testosterone Peppy was administering wasn't really helping her. She looked at the crowd, pistols still at the ready, but the energy meter on the back were quite low. Everypony who had a weapon now had it drawn and directed at her, from behind the cover of various booths and wagons.

"Okay," she shouted so they could all hear her. "Everypony just calm the buck down and listen to me. I'm sorry about the bridge. I was aiming for the trees. I'll fix it, alright? Sound good to everypony?"

There were some sounds of consent, and with that, she turned aside and headed for the gates. Her weapons were still at the ready. She passed the booths and bunkers, and unwittingly stomping on the mayor's hat that had fallen off when he bolted for cover. He narrowed his eyes as he watched her, then whispered something his crony. She got to the gates and promptly leapt over the drawbridge as she had done when she entered, not trusting it in the slightest. Then stepped over the debris and ashes to the ravine, unaware that as soon as she was outside, Promise would be closed to her forever.
> Chapter Six: The Checkered Smile
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Andromeda may have been angry, but she wasn't about to do a second-rate job on repairing the bridge. First, she created a large DMC buzz saw and cut down several large trees, and then levitated them over to the ravine. It wasn't that hard, considering Ministry Mare Twilight had told her the suit might let her lift a few train cars. All that really showed her was that her magic alone was quite weak. Surely there were ponies who could lift great objects without enhancements.

After laying a wide load of the logs across, she began clipping the branches off. Then she took out some more trees and promptly cut them up into large boards, which she layered atop of each others in a crisscross pattern upon the logs. Then she created a drill and began drilling holes all the way through the boards and logs. Since she didn't know how to cut square holes, and since round pegs would take to long, she just drove the square pegs into the round holes, creating a super tight grip that wouldn't come loose for centuries. With that, there came a bridge, much sturdier than its predecessor. But Andromeda had started to get into it.

Never really having had a chance to play with the matrixes, she was starting to get a little creative. She drilled some large holes along the sides of the bridge, then drove poles through them. Between the poles, she crafted a railing system so that foals wouldn't fall off, and then set about cutting notches into the tops so she could insert the narrowed ends of logs she was using for beams into them. Not really sure how to do anything fancy, she had simply cut the poles on one side short to create a lean-to. Then she drilled more holes through the beams, to slide stripped branches through to create a network she then wove uncut branches through. She found that part to be quit easy, after having lot of practice with tiny metal strands in space. By sundown, she had completed a rather fantastic bridge.

Which was why she was furious when she turned to find a locked gate behind her.

"Bucking piles of manure-born strumpet sewage, let me in!"

The earth pony stallions and mares of Promise's guard shook their heads. "No," was the general, paraphrased, retort. "You're trouble, lady," said one of them. "We don't need no stinkin' overpowered unicorns in Promise."

The name suddenly clicked inside of Mercy's head. Promise was home to a large group of the Filii Terram, children of the earth. Earth pony supremacists, and on the same day she was mentally reviewing their once-upon-a-time enslavement to the unicorns and pegasi. Sure, the pegasi and unicorns who were racist could be absolute uppity snobs and blowhards, but the earth pony racists were unnerving jerks.

"I fixed your bridge," she shouted back at them. Then she pointed to it with a hoof. "It's even better than the one you morons built." A couple mares nodded, but didn't say anything.

Some of the traders were beginning to leave, giving the cursing mare a wide berth after dropping off their armbands at the gate. Some of them were quite stunned at the work she had done in so short a time, mostly because they expected her to just keep on going and not come back. Really, they were more surprised by the fact she was trying to get back in than anything else.

"Just go away already," a stallion groaned. Normally, they would just shoot at a pony who was so annoyingly persistent, but after her demonstration earlier today, they weren't taking any chances on antagonizing this strangely-armored, blaster-wielding, crazy mare. "No one wants you around."

"But I'm hungry," Andromeda complained loudly. Several sandwiches bounced off her helmet.

"Happy? Now go eat them on the road."

"But I don't have anything to carry them with," Andromeda pointed out. Earth ponies seemed to think magic solved everything for unicorns. A pair of leather saddlebags landed close by.

"Hey, that was mine," a guard shouted out.

Andromeda sighed and levitated the saddlebags onto her back, deposited the sandwiches into one side, and the blasters into the other, along with the rolled-up restraints. "Fine," she muttered as she turned to leave.

She tried to walk alongside the caravan that was leaving Promise, but they weren't too friendly with her either, after having to wait until sundown to be able to leave. Apparently Promise only allowed ponies with enough money to stay the night, and those who couldn't afford it wanted to get out long before sunset. This is what she gathered from their mumblings.

She kept off to the side, almost not on the road at all, ears laid back and hooves dragging as she listened to the hurtful things they were saying when they thought she couldn't hear. Eventually, she didn't even bother to look at the other ponies anymore, and just kept on staring at the ground and walking slowly. She let them pass her by, until at last saw the final wagon started to pass.

"Alone again," she muttered to herself, watching as the back end of the wagon vanished into the dark. "Great, just great, Andromeda. Crash a multi-billion bit rocket, blow-up a bridge, shoot up a town, get banned from same town... it's been a bad day. But... why don't I feel tired?"

---SUBJECT STATUS: DECEASED---

"Will you just shut up?"

The road was long and dark, thankfully she had her magic to light the way. The further along the road she got, the more and more she felt her heart sink, her legs started to feel heavy. Though not from exhaustion, rather, it was emotional exasperation. She eventually staggered to the side of the road and took a seat next to a mushroom-covered, misshapen stump. There she took off her saddlebags and opened the side with the sandwiches.

"Peppy, how do I take off my helmet?" she asked, trying to get the latch again, but it was still stuck. She fumbled with it again, tugging harder, but it was still stuck. She growled and hit it with a hoof. She picked herself back up off the ground after knocking the wind out of herself with the earth pony talismans. Which reminded her again of Promise.

"Stupid helmet. Stupid town. Stupid Filii Terram. Stupid... this could go on for hours if I try to find stupid things." It was then that Peppy came up with a solution.

---USE DIGITAL MAGIC CUBES TO BORE A HOLE---

"What?" she demanded in disbelief. The pipbuck was designed to keep all important assets of the trip intact. Now he, no, it, was telling her to do the opposite. "Com'on, I'm not about to destroy expensive Ministry property. I mean, for crying out loud, I've done enough as it is."

---107.8 BILLION BITS WORTH OF DAMAGE---

Andromeda's mouth dropped open. She could hardly wrap her head around that. How could the ministries have made that disappear without anypony noticing? Well, the zebras did notice, and ruined everything. Her ears folded back and she swallowed a lump in her throat.

---NEGLIGIBLE COMPARED TO THE LIFE OF SPACE CAPTAIN ANDROMEDA---

Her eyes went wide and she stared at the words. "Peppy. I thought you were supposed help me maintain my sanity. It seems as though..."

---PLAYING REASSURING RECORDING 211---

She listened with rapt attention to Ministry Mare Twilight's voice.

"Hello, Andromeda. This is Ministry Mare Twilight Sparkle. This one of several... oh, that many? Really? Anyway, over two hundred recordings now. These are, as I've been saying over and over in this recording booth, ugh, little reassuring messages I am putting into your pipbuck so that if you feel like you've messed up, merely tell your pipbuck what went wrong, and it will try to match your problem with the closest recording. So, here goes. Number two-eleven.

"Remember, Mercy, nothing you do is your fault on this mission. As long as you're in space, the only ponies to blame are us. The Ministries. I'm not just saying that to calm you down, or make you feel better, that's just supposed to be a bonus. You see, you're only here to provide the single most valuable element of Hope. The pony element.

"To clarify, you, Mercy Andromeda, are tasked as the epicenter, brain, and infallible master key of the entire rocketship. The entire layout of the rocketship, which has been laid out so a child could operate it, was designed around our observations of you during your training. We made sure that everything, down to the very ergonomics, was suited just for you. We went with you instead of that six-year-old for obvious reasons. You are more than capable of a rational choice if anything were to happen, even if that were to dissolve our entire project. We built the controls for a pony, for anypony to use, because we know that a pony is more trustworthy than a computer. I'd trust you over that pipbuck any day. So, remember, we built the ship, and if it requires a super-expensive failure to get you back, then... then that's okay. It simply means that we, the Ministries, failed. And besides, your pipbuck has blue prints and advice on how to fix things, I'm certain everything will be alright. Well, here's hoping you never have to hear this message. Bye."

---END RECORDING---

Andromeda gave a thankful sniff. That was a wonderful thing to hear. Even before her ill-fated launch, they were more concerned with her. It was really shaping her opinion on them, even if she did spend six months with them, she never really knew exactly what they thought of her. Though it seemed overly convenient for being around yet another trip down Guilt Boulevard. "Why wasn't I shown this one earlier, up in space, Peppy? You know... around the time I tried to kill myself."

---SURVIVAL WAS IMPERATIVE---

"Ah," she said with a nod of understanding. Then she nickered. "You know what, Peppy? You're finally making sense."

---ILLOGICAL---THIS UNIT WAS MADE BY MINISTRY MARE TWILIGHT SPARKLE NOT MINISTRY MARE PINKIE PIE---

She chuckled and generated a saw of the micro DMCs. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Thank you, Ministry Mare. I pray I can see you again soon. After a little detour." She brought the blade close and held her breath as she began to cut a hole large enough for her to slip a sandwich in. It didn't take long. The micro DMCs were stronger than the force of a small-arms pistol, and had perfect points, just right for cutting a clean hole in the helmet. She also generated a little shield of her own magic to protect her face from the flying bits of transparent iron. She almost went into a drunken stupor when she caught her first whiff of fresh air.

Admittedly, clover and cheese on rye had never been her favorite. But after not having eaten in a little over two weeks, she figured it to be the absolute best thing ever. She rationalized that it was the gas-induced coma and talismans that kept her alive all this time. That made a whole lot more sense than simply being labeled "deceased".

She continued to eat the sandwiches one by one, until she suddenly found that the last one she had wouldn't fit through the hole. She looked at it curiously and noted that it was much smaller now. Looking at the piece she had cut out and set next to her, she saw that it had grown smaller as well.

"Peppy," she began, not knowing what to think, "why is my suit healing?"

---UNKNOWN MAGICAL SUBSTANCE KEEPING SUIT TOGETHER---THREAT LEVEL: NONE---

"Never mind," she sulked, generating another saw. This time she cut a much larger hole and reached back for her sandwich, only to discover it was no longer there. She looked around for a moment, but couldn't see anything. Shrugging, she patted her stomach in contentment and laid down on her back to look up at the stars while contemplating whether or not to continue on her way, or wait till morning.

"Got anymore, girly?"

Andromeda started with a yelp, leaping up and scrambling on her hooves until she found the voice's owner. She froze and gulped at what she saw.

The stump she had been sitting next to this entire time had not been a stump at all, but a rather incredible form of camouflage. The one utilizing this camouflage was a unicorn stallion, and that was all she could tell about him underneath all of the shrubbery and bark stuck to him. Even his eyes were hidden behind some kind of magic. He had been sitting there, perfectly still, watching her this entire time.

"Nope," was all Andromeda could manage to say, staring back at the stallion. It was a stupid thing to say, she knew, but what else could she do. She didn't want to insult some crazy mustang (a pony gone feral). She scooted back a bit when he stepped towards her, sniffing the air.

"You smell nice," he said, smiling, displaying teeth that had been filed into serrated points. It was horrifyingly fascinating that his teeth were rather clean and well kept. "I wonder... do you taste like you smell?"

Mercy chuckled and took another couple steps backwards. "Heehee, been out in the woods a while? You know, some ponies might be a little disconcerted by your acting skills. You know, maybe if you tone it down a little bit. I mean, you know, the Filii Terram are just up the road, and they seem a little... trigger happy."

The stallion paused and tilted his head in confusion. This mare, obviously a little crazy, was stupid as well. Why wasn't she running away? He liked the chase. Perhaps she just needed a little motivation. He lunged at her, sticking his muzzle inside the hole in her helmet, purposely missing her face by a hairsbreadth. That got what he wanted out of her.

Andromeda let out a terrified shriek and bolted, grabbing her saddlebags in her magic and carrying them in front of her. Her body went into autopilot, rushing into the forest where she might have a better chance of eluding the stallion, but this also meant she might get lost.

No, wait. Peppy had a navigation system. She would be fine.

The stallion's hooves were nimble and light, knowing every inch of the forest, unstopped by any obstruction. He had hunted many creatures in his life, even snapping a few birds out of the air just for fun. The joy was in the hunt, the chase, the fear in his prey's eyes as he ran the strength out of them, and then drained them of their life. He had the advantages of experience and skill. But for the life of him, how in Tartarus was this mare getting away?

He eventually just stopped to catch his breath, and look down at the tracks that the mare had left behind, the only things he been able to follow after losing sight of her. It was a deep track for such a small hoof, displaying an uncanny strength within her, yet clumsy, as a lot of the prints just dragged. There would be no way for him to catch her alone. A smile crossed his face and his eyes narrowed wickedly. He was never alone.

Tilting his head back, he unleashed a great howl into the night sky. Elsewhere, a dozen beings in the shadows lifted their heads and twisted their ears in the direction of the howl, and waited. Another howl, long and clear cut through the darkness. Three of the creatures instantly ran towards the sound of the howl. The others laid their heads back down and rested.

These new players were smaller than the stallion, but made up for what the lacked in size with their own specializations. They ran up into the trees in silence, and began bounding through the branches to leap to the next tree, and so on. Never missing a beat, and the only sound being the wind that whipped around them, and the occasional cracking limb. Like flying phantoms, they rushed to the call of their leader.

One climbed to the very top of a tree, in eagerness to see the prey. The moonlight fell upon it's form, illuminating pointed teeth surrounded by a purple and black checkered smiley face tattoo. Of course, all there was to see was trees and hilltops. But that didn't stop the creature from tilting its head back and cackling to the sky like a deranged clown. Two other equally insane cackles sounded out in response. The creature leapt from his perch and vanished into the foliage of another tree.

	
> Chapter Seven: Forgiveness and Hope
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The unbridled wildernesses of Equestria, like the Everfree, were home to unknown dangers, so mysterious that no one who laid eyes upon them had ever been seen again. Their screams, on the other hoof, sometimes lasted up to a week after said vanishing. But none of these aberrations could compare to when a pony simply decided to alter it's path down a darkened route. In fact, these natural monstrosities stepped aside in order to let them pass. Or even aid them in hopes of favor.

Which was why Mercy was running a large magical saw to cut her way through the thick, thorny vines that sprouted up everywhere and tried to snare her. Sometimes the ends of the vines would produce a mouth full of sticky venom, that would lash out at her. But she managed to hold them off without breaking step, or her neck. All the while screaming like a school filly.

A vine whipped out for her left fore hoof, only to be sliced apart by the saw. Andromeda leapt onto a rock and to try and get off of the ground and fend off the branches from there, figuring that the stallion was no longer chasing her. She ran the saw around her in circles, screaming, cursing and praying loudly. Hoping somepony might get her out this mess, or tell her what to do. Then the rock beneath her began to break, and she yelped as the thorns burst through, sending up dust and gravel. She ran to the edge of the boulder, and looked down to see a writhing mass of vines and mouths reaching out for her. She cried loudly and split the saw into three, spinning them faster than before. Raising a filly could make any mare a marvelous multi-tasker (colts were so much less needy), and she did her best to she set the saw in different rotations to help close off gaps against the vines. All the while, her little island in the living sea was breaking apart.

---WARNING!!!---EARTH PONY TALISMANS LOW ON CHARGE---LOSS OF GROUND CONNECTION IMMINENT---

Minister Twilight did say that it wasn't perfected. Earth pony magic, so easy to shrug off, yet impossible to perfectly replicate. Go figure. One of the snapping mouth slipped through a chink in her armor, she shifted one saw to intercept while she moved her hoofs' positions as the rock crumbled apart. The head plopped onto the ground near her front hooves and wiggled about, snapping and spitting, then fell through a widening crack and into the tangled mass.

---EARTH PONY TALIMANS DEPLETED---RECHARGING---

Her hooves slipped, her connection the earth was severely weakened. She scrambled wildly in an attempt to stay atop, but the vines were hammering against the saws, pushing her across the surface of the stone. With a shriek, she hooked a hoof into a crack to help steady herself, but then found it to be a horrible idea. The thin piece of rock she had braced herself upon began toppling over, sending her screaming into the rising thorns.

---WARNING!!!---UNSAFE LANDING AREA---ANCHOR FOR TETHER---BRACE FOR IMPACT---

But there was no impact. The vines caught her before she hit the ground and began to wrap about her like a cocoon, constricting her all the while like hungry pythons. She screamed and cursed as they began to cover her helmet. Her heart beat rapidly in terror, and she couldn't use the saws safely now, or she might kill herself. The vines restrained her hooves, pulling them tightly together. They covered up every inch of her, containing her magic, and the saws sputtered out of existence. The thorns began to lower, towards the ground, which opened up like a grave, pulling the mare down into the dirt.

But Andromeda wasn't ready to go just yet. She had more than just her own life to worry about. In those few moments before she touched bottom of the hole, she invented a new trick.

In a burst of brilliant purple, a swirling mass of the magical cubes was generated from within the mass of vines. Andromeda stood up and yelled to the sky in victory. Apparently the DMCs weren't allowed to work on her, Ministry safety features for the win, which allowed he to generate a bunch of them and by trying to pull them closer to herself with her own magic, they would instead orbit around her.

Vines shot towards her, only to be reduced to nothing. She pulled the cubes away from her helmet and looked out in a mixture of terror and childish fascination. A mouth lunged for her helmet, and she let out a rather undignified yelp as she closed up the gap again, shredding it.

"You can't touch me," she screamed at the vines as though they could understand her, "I'm invincible. Hahahaha."

"Oh? Really?"

Andromeda squeaked, subconsciously deactivating her shield. She looked about for whoever spoke, but they seemed to be absent. The vines appeared to gone as well, except for the dead ones. But then again, she was inside a hole, and couldn't see much to begin with. "H-hello? Was that you, ugly-stallion-who-stole-my-sandwich? Well, don't come any closer, I-I'll cut you to ribbons."

"A cute trick," the voice said again. It was too high-pitched to be a stallion. Maybe she was friendly. "But only foals have a use for ribbons." That sounded like threat.

"So much for a friend," Andromeda muttered to herself, coiling her legs and leaping out of the hole. She was amazed that she managed to pull it off. "Huh. Never thought I could do that."

Back above ground, the vines were gone, and the broken rock was practically a pile of gravel and shale. She gulped looked about for the owner of the voice. She tried to laugh, but it came out as a whimper. "Come out, come out, wherever you are. This isn't funny."

A cackling broke out, and there was a rustling in to the tree tops, then a rush of wind. Three figures dropped down to the ground with hardly a sound, laying flat to the dirt to hide their forms. Then, like creeping shadows, they rose up and flashed their pristinely pointed teeth at Andromeda. The small ponies, not foals, just small, two earth ponies, male and female, and a female unicorn. Their coats were dyed dark green, manes and tails braded tightly together to keep from tangling in the flora, and they had metal spikes literally imbedded in their legs and the fronts of their fore hooves. But their most distinct features were the tattoos, a purple and black checker smile about their mouths, and circles of the same pattern around their eyes.

Andromeda wasn't sure how they wanted her to react. But, she was pretty sure her laughing wasn't it.

The three ponies stared at her with wide eyes. This mare was laughing at them for some reason. Their sinister expressions faded away quickly and they looked at each other in confusion. Sure, she had destroyed the tainted vines, but they had special defenses from generations of manifesting dark arts. She should have known this.

Andromeda managed to get her self under control and cleared her throat, stifling another laugh. "I'm sorry, it's just... oh, you look so bucking ridiculous. I mean, come on. Did your parents let you get those horrible tattoos, or those over-the-top piercings? Kids, those are going to get in the way of some rather intimate interactions with some special someponies."

The three ponies took a few steps back and looked down at their legs in concern. The stallion, after taking a good look at the mares, discretely closed his hind legs together protectively. The mares rolled their withers and flanks in discomfort and tested the sharpness of the spikes, cringing at what they found.

Andromeda suppressed a smile. She had played her cards right. She had been a little unsteady after escaping the vines, even if she was shouting to the world how invincible she was, and then these three showed up. It really was terrifying, and she just couldn't deal with them like she had with the plants. These were ponies for crying out loud. Even when she was threatening the unicorn that had chased her, she knew she could never really do such a thing.

As for the three ponies in front of her right now, she could now tell they were teenagers. Hopped up on hormones and an incessant need for attention, probably what drove them to act so threatening. But they were still inexperienced and susceptible to intimate implications. That older unicorn had a lot to answer for. This was usury of an abominable degree. The Princess and the Ministries would hear about this. Along with Promise, she added to the list after a little thought.

"Look," Andromeda persisted in a soft voice, "I understand the youthful desire to rebel against the 'system'. But, you have to remember, the rules and ideals put in place aren't always there to ruin your fun. To quote an old friend: the bars on the cage are not their to protect the tiger, and you're not the tiger. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

The two mares tilted their heads in confusion. The stallion, however, seemed to be listening to her words, a contemplative look in his eyes. That was a relief, at least the male was paying attention. She just needed to get the females' attention now without losing the male's.

"All we need is a little mutual respect and understanding," she continued in as calm a voice as she could muster. "We're all ponies. We all have a common enemy, there's no need to start fighting the system, when the system is fighting for us. Equestria was built up friendship and understanding, nothing should be able to take that from us. We ponies are supposed to work together, because...," she pulled herself into a straighter stance and cleared her throat, "...united we stand, divided we fall. A house divided against itself will not stand. Which is why you need to just drop this childish behavior, fight the good fight, and grow up."

That shocked them. The three teenagers' jaws dropped, showing their pointy teeth. Andromeda gave them all a sympathetic look and took a cautious step forward, and stopped when they tensed a little.

She smiled and let out a little sigh. "Perhaps, I'm not the one to talk. I enjoy my toys, and games, and my comic book collection."

The stallion snickered, receiving withering glances from the mares. But he was not intimidated, he took a couple steps forward and pointed at Mercy. "I could tell."

"Oh?" Andromeda tilted her head and looked at him, sitting down. "How?"

He chuckled at her and waved his hoof up and down at her. "Because you're dressed exactly like..."

"What's going on here?"

Everypony jumped. Andromeda screamed. They all turned to see the unicorn who had been camouflaged like a stump, he was seething with rage, sides heaving after a long run. He looked at the mare in anger, and at the three teenagers in raging disgust.

"Why is she still alive?" he demanded of his cohorts.

The three teenagers scrambled to get in some sort of convincing formation around the strange mare. They bared their teeth and growled weakly. The small unicorn mare spoke up.

"We were just trying to lull her into a false sense of security, Master Hunter," she said in a hurried voice that wouldn't of convinced a toddler. The other two nodded in agreement.

Andromeda remained silent. These teenagers were obviously afraid of this stallion. Saying anything to contradict what the small unicorn had said would only make things worse for them. But she couldn't help but glare at that stallion as he marched up like an angry dog, snapping his teeth. She hoped he would bite off his own tongue.

"You useless, toddling, buck-worthy worms," he screeched, coming up and smacking the earth pony mare over the skull. Andromeda gasped when she went skidding across the ground. The little mare didn't make a noise, but curled up into a quivering ball, ignoring the spikes that she pressed against her body. The unicorn turned to the next one. "You stupid, milk-suckling infant."

The other earth pony was his target. The little stallion kept his gaze forward as the unicorn came at him with a raised hoof, making no motions of trying to get away. He was going to let the unicorn strike him, fully accepting the punishment as though he were just a piece of property to be abused.

The unicorn's hoof came down strong and fast. "Worthless bung-shuffled bilge..."

"Enough."

The unicorn almost spat out a lung as he was forcibly launched into the air when Andromeda attacked him. She had charged while his attention was on the earth pony, he obviously didn't think she was a threat since she had run off before, and then turned around to kick him with both hind legs. The earth pony talismans had apparently recharged themselves.

Andromeda growled threateningly at the unicorn, making the other ponies shy away from her in shock. She approached the stallion with strong, threatening steps. "You coward. Fight somepony your own size."

The stallion grunted and stood back up, limping a little on his right fore hoof due to some broken ribs. "You foolish, whore. I'm going to tear you out of that suit and make you..."

Andromeda had never used the lasso on another pony, ever. But this seemed appropriate. Right now she had him in a strange hold of purple magical cord. "If you're going to act like an rabid animal, I'll treat you like one."

And with that, she whipped her head about and flung across the ground. The earth pony talismans bracing her to the ground as she managed to heave his great weight. He watched as he rolled across the ground until his stomach hit a tree with a juicy thud. She smirked in satisfaction when the stallion let out a groan of pain.

"Well? What do you have to say for yourself?" she demanded with a few angry steps in his direction. He didn't seem so threatening now, not since her helmet had repaired itself some time ago.

"Kill her, and I'll forgive you three this once," the unicorn commanded in anger.

The three small ponies obeyed without hesitation, lunging for Andromeda, mouths open and spikes slicing through the air. Andromeda felt them collide with her suit, knowing that they would leave quite a few bruises. She grunted at the pain, but kept still, glaring at the unicorn. She would not retaliate against these teenagers, and show them that she was not their enemy.

After several minutes of attacking, the three ponies ceased and backed off one-by-one. The earth pony mare rubbed her skull where the unicorn had struck her and looked at her companions in concern. This unicorn mare would not go down, nor would she so much as turn her eyes.

"Master Hunter," she said in a low voice, "we have no affect."

The unicorn stallion looked at them as she staggered to his hooves. He wore a worried expression as he looked into the mare's determined eyes that almost seemed to pierce his soul. There was something wrong about her, something that he just couldn't place.

"You don't have to follow this so-called stallion," Andromeda spoke up in a clear, commanding tone. She lowered her head and bared her teeth, taking a step forward towards the stallion. With some satisfaction, she watched him flinch. "He's nothing but a bully and a user."

"We can't just stop," the little earth pony stallion said, watching her face down Master Hunter. "We can't help what we are."

"You're ponies," Andromeda said simply, looking back at him with a smile that shocked him and the two mares. "You're young, you need somepony to follow and trust. You all just made the wrong choice. You don't deserve such a life."

They could not believe what they were hearing. No pony had ever spoken to them in such a way. She spoke to them as though it didn't matter that they had just tried to kill her. They began to feel strange.

"Why are you saying these things? We're trying to kill you," said the little unicorn, pointing her hoof at Mercy and trying to look fierce. But her body was twitching with uncertainty.

Andromeda turned from Master Hunter and stepped softly over to the mare, raising a hoof and touched it gently to her spiked one. She smiled and shook her head slowly. "My bruises will heal in time. But your futures could be lost forever in darkness."

"B-but we've killed before," the mare said, finding herself unable to remove her hoof from Andromeda's gentle touch as she tried to make sense of the confusion. "W-we're murderers, and thieves and..."

Andromeda never lost her smile. She used her magic to pull the little mare close and into a soft embrace. Or as soft as she could manage with the mainframe about her neck and the pipbuck on her hoof. The mare tensed and struggled a moment as though she expected to die. But the earth pony talismans held her firm.

"You three are not to blame for any of it," she, pushing the mare away gently and looking into her eyes with a maternal expression. "Don't worry, if they knew what kind of life you're leading, they would do the same thing as I am."

The mare cringed. "A-and what's that?"

Andromeda pulled her into another hug and chuckled. "Forgiving you of course."

There must have been some sort of magic in the dyes, as it became a lighter shade and almost transparent, almost allowing their true colors to shine through. The smiley face tattoos faded a little, and tears started to well up in their eyes. the unicorn stallion looked on at them in abject horror, unable to comprehend what was happening right before his eyes. he coughed and sputtered as he limped back more than a few paces.

"What's happening? What are you doing to my..."

"They're not yours," Andromeda snapped angrily at him, releasing the mare and taking a defensive stance between the stallion and the teenagers. "They're their own ponies, no one else's. They have their own hopes and dreams. You cannot control that. How dare you even attempt such an abominable thing. When I'm done with you, Cerberus will be bucking your parasitic plot until Tartarus freezes over."

"You think you can heal their crimes with a couple hugs and sappy words?" the unicorn spat, trying to take an intimidating stance. "You think they can truly just stop what they've been taught since birth? I'll beat the memory of you out of them, and they'll thank me for it. Isn't that right you worthless foals?"

The earth pony mare dropped her head and nodded. "Yes, Master Hunter."

The little stallion did the same. "Yes, Master Hunter."

Master Hunter smiled triumphantly and began to chuckle, but it caught in his throat when he saw the small unicorn step beside the strange mare and crouch down into an aggressive stance.

"Never again, Master Hunter," she hissed, flicking her tail from side-to-side.

"Do you want to die?" Master Hunter roared at her, taking another step forward, and almost falling down from the pain.

"No," she returned simply. "But I'll gladly do it if it means I'll never be beaten again. Never have to be treated like dirt ever again. Never have to kill an innocent pony again."

"Who says their innocent?" the unicorn stallion growled back. "You don't know that. You might be making the world a better place."

"You've grown old, Master," the earth pony stallion said, gaining confidence form his companion's defiance. He stepped forward and crouched beside Andromeda, baring his teeth. "You don't care about making the world a better place. You just want the next generation to grow up as miserable and jaded as you. Because you just can't stand the thought of another pony finding just a little... joy.

"Well, I think we like it. I'll stand with Cold Wind, if it means I can finally have some dignity. And you'll never touch my sister, Pepper Shot, again. I'm going to cut you apart, one cut for each and every little thing you've done to us. I'll make you suffer."

Andromeda didn't know which surprised her more; the speech, or the fact that this was the longest any of the three small ponies had talked. She watched as the small earth pony came up and stood by her brother. She could now see that she was bleeding from where Master Hunter had struck her.

"And I'll stand by Cold Wind and Pintsize Slasher," she said with a flick of her mane.

Andromeda turned back and smiled at the stallion. "Looks like you're outnumbered, Mister Hunter. I've never killed anypony in my life. Nor have I ever wanted to. But, after hearing that just now, and seeing just how much they all hate you for the abuse they've taken, I think I can do it. Funny what a little isolation can do for you."

The stallion's eyes widened, and he backed up. "You'll never survive the night."

With that, he raised his head up and gave three short howls into the sky. A moment later, there were several answering howls. The stallion looked at the four ponies and smiled a toothy grin. "You fools."

Andromeda looked at the three teenagers. There was no fear, no second thoughts, only resolve. She reached her magic into her saddle bag and produced the pistols, looking at the backs to see that they had recharged themselves. Then, with a confident smile, she produced three DMC saws. "Shadows can only exist if there is light, but as soon as light touches it... it dies."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" the stallion demanded.

"Doesn't matter," Andromeda said as she sent the saws spinning towards the stallion, not wanting to waste any of the pistols' power. She watched coldly as the saws raced towards the stallion and then... vanished, leaving the stallion untouched. She blinked in surprise. "Uuuuh, Peppy? What just happened?"

---DIGITAL MAGIC CUBES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE USED AS WEAPONS AGAINST PONIES---

Her eyes tabled and she let out a groan. "That just seems racist."

"Who are you talking to?" Cold Wind asked out of the corner of her mouth. She was beginning to grow a little concerned when this strange mare seemed to be talking to herself.

"My pipbuck," Andromeda said with a sigh, showing the small mare the display. "Apparently I can't use the digital magic on other ponies."

"That's a stupid design," Cold Wind said flatly. She wanted to ask what digital magic was, but refrained, as there were more pressing issues at the moment.

Andromeda didn't comment. She instead carefully maneuvered one of the pistols in front of her and looked down the sights. Her eyes narrowed as she centered on Hunter. Or tried to. The stallion was gone.

"Where'd he go?" she asked, looking around nervously.

"What do you mean?" Pepper Shot asked, pointing at empty space. "He's right there. Your pipbuck should be able to tell you that."

"That feature wasn't necessary in my line of work. Though it would have been useful at one time. But the fact remains, that there is no pony there."

The three teenagers were baffled as to how the strange mare couldn't see the stallion. He was standing right in front of them, smiling and watching them with an evil glint in his eyes. All she had to do was shoot, him, but she wasn't doing anything. Pintsize growled and lunged forward. "He's right here. Why can't you..."

He made a grab at the stallion, but then yelped in surprise when his hooves connected with nothing and he landed on the ground in a heap. He scrambled back to his hooves and looked about in worry. "He left a decoy. He could be anywhere."

"Not just anywhere."

Everypony turned to see Hunter materialize up out of the ground like a shadow, which was quite insulting after Andromeda's little speech about shadows and light, next to Pepper Shot, who stared in paralyzed terror of him. His injuries apparently gone for the moment, lashed out with both front hooves, crashing them down upon the young mare's skull with a sickening crack. Pepper Shot's eyes rolled up into the back of her head and she fell to the ground with blood spilling from her broken head.

Andromeda screamed in horror, but this was drowned out by the cry ringing out from Pintsize. The young stallion charged the unicorn, his face a mask of rage. But Hunter sunk back into the ground and fled away like a shadow with a sinister laugh. Pintsize collapsed next to Pepper Shot and pulled her close, managing to keep all his spikes away from her limp body.

"Com'on, Pepper," he said through unfamiliar tears, "get up, I know you're tougher than this. He didn't hit you that hard, he's old and weak. It was just a head wound. Besides we've always had thick skulls. Heehee... Pepper? Pepper?"

Andromeda stepped over softly and looked down at the torn colt and his sister. She watched with tears in her own eyes as he looked up at her, his lower lip quivering.

"My little sister won't wake up," he sobbed. "Please, you're a mare. Tell me what to do. How can I make her better? I'll do anything."

Andromeda turned her head to the side, unable to look him in the eye anymore. This was too much. "There's nothing anypony can do, Pintsize. I'm so sorry."

"This is your fault," Pintsize said.

Andromeda's ears fell and she lowered her head in acknowledgement. She could feel his glaring eyes upon her, and looking just affirmed her suspicions.

Pintsize kept his hate filled glare upon her for a few moments, and then softened it. "Thank you. You let her die free of this place. Free of Master Hunter's chains. Free of the Marauders. You forgave us of crimes no pony should be forgiven of. Perhaps that's what we all need. Just a little forgiveness. For the first time since I can remember, you gave us a little hope."

Andromeda sniffed and tried to wipe her eyes, but the glass was in the way. She sat down beside the colt patted him on the back, clearly a motion he was unfamiliar with. "There is no hope without forgiveness, Pintsize. But you must be willing to both give and receive it in return for it to have any power. Aaaand, unfortunately, I don't think our new friends are willing to do either."

"Friends?" Pintsize asked, looking around, and seeing what she meant.

Nine smiley face tattoos upon nine large ponies, five earth ponies and four unicorns, and they were laughing at the poor colt's plight. Cold Wind was watching them while keeping close to Andromeda and Pintsize, growling all the while. Andromeda turned and shouted incoherent profanities at them  while wildly firing her pistols. This caused them to scatter, still laughing, and they vanished into the trees. Several trees exploded into splinters, giving them something to think about.

Andromeda took a deep breath and let it out with a hiss. "They've messed with the wrong mare." She then produced a couple large DMC shields for protection, and set them spinning around her and the teenagers. "I am sick and tired of everypony I come across acting like an animal. And just when I find some that have a shred of morality, the others try and take them away. What is wrong with Equestria? This is a sick world, we're living in, just sick."

"You're not alone," Pintsize said, getting up and wiping his eyes tenderly. He looked at Cold and nodded, she nodded back. They took up positions to watch three different directions, the small stallion protectively placing himself over his sister's body. They watched the trees carefully.

Andromeda hovered two of the pistols to the small ponies. "Can either of you use these?"

They nodded wordlessly and took the grips in their mouths, aiming them this way and that. They were noticeably light weapons, and wouldn't handicap them in the least. Then, the laughter stopped. Everpony stood ready, waiting for the attack.

It wasn't a long wait, a shot rang out and a bullet glanced off harmlessly of shield in the direction of Cold Wind. The mare retaliated quickly, timing her shots between the shields' movements. Then more shots began to ring out. The battle for their lives began.


*	*	*


Amidst dim candlelight, a single unicorn with his head bent down, eyes shut. He sat alone at the edge of a still lake, his reflection dancing in the water. The lake was nestled deep in the heart of Dusky Dale, where the gnarled trees stood on all sides like silent sentinels.

For a while, the unicorn had sat in silence on the edge of the lake with only a few nearby candles for company. The light from the tiny, flickering flames fell upon his coat and mane, which had been dyed from its natural color to pitch black. Even his cutie mark had been covered by the dyes, his flank appearing utterly blank.

Only the quiet sounds of the forest were audible. The creaking of the trees, the shifting of the lake waters, and the occasional buzz and chirp of insects. In all, it was a scene of tranquility, and it was just what the unicorn needed to prepare himself for transpiring events. Yet, as he took a deep breath, hoofsteps began to echo across the trees.

"Sir, we have a problem."

The black unicorn took another deep breath, and his turquoise eyes opened as he turned to look at the pony who had approached him from behind. "What is it, Master Hunter?"

The camouflaged unicorn stopped respectively and inclined his head. "A pony, a unicorn, has come onto our land. She seemed like a good hunt."

The black unicorn tipped his head up slightly in disgust. Knowing full well the intentions and appetites of his followers. "What of this mare?"

Master Hunter looked ashamed. "She is a powerful unicorn, sir. She can run without tiring, and stand her ground against the tainted roots, as I saw evident by their remains on the forest floor. I grew weary and sent three acolytes after her..."

"She killed them?" the black unicorn asked, tilted his head forward with minor interest. A lone mare to display such ferocity was interesting.

"No, sir," the other unicorn said with a solemn shake of his head. "She turned them against me."

That was a surprise. Acolytes should not be capable of such things. It was programmed into them at he youngest stage. It was then that the black unicorn noticed the injuries about Master Hunter's body. "She did this to you? By herself? There are no bite marks or gouges, so the acolytes could not have done this."

Master Hunter nodded shamefully. "I was too injured to do more, sir, so I fled. But not before striking down one of them and calling my apprentices to take care of them."

The black unicorn took yet another deep breath as he contemplated what he had just heard. "So, Hunter, the best of the Harlequin Mask Marauders, loses to a powerful mare, and then sends his students to take care of her. Is this what I'm hearing?"

Master Hunter took a step back. Though the black unicorn didn't show any sign of aggression, he couldn't help but feel intimidated and scared. "I had no choice, sir. I was injured, I barely had enough magic left to become a shadow. The mare wanted to kill me."

"And so you instead gave her your inexperienced students instead," the black unicorn said, blinking his strange eyes. He watched Master Hunter start to shake.

"Y-yes, sir."

"Go back to them," the black unicorn ordered him. "Bring me back the mare and the remaining acolytes."

"Of course, sir," Hunter said, nodding quickly as he began to limp away. "Right away, sir."

"Oh, and Hunter," the black unicorn said, a smile spreading upon his face as he watched the other turn and look at him in fear, "they had better be alive, or you and your remaining students had better not come back at all. Have I made myself clear?"

Master hunter nodded as he began to strain his body for more speed. He also began to light up his horn and use what little magic he had to become a fast shadow. "I will not fail you, Spell Nexus."
> Chapter Eight: The Unicorn's knife
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pink tendrils, stretching thinner the further from their origin they crawled, swept across the ground, pulling their wanted materials straight from the soil and all the stood upon it. Grass turned brown and died, the leaves fell from the trees and the bark shrank, splitting apart as the moisture was torn from it. Rocks crumbled, and any animal without a sixth sense met an unfortunate and painful demise as the tendrils continued their indiscriminate search for materials.

As the forest was slowly consumed for resources, at the center point of the tendrils, was Hope, beginning to look as good as new.  The torn engines were sealing up smoothly, all fuel-scorch discolorations were virtually gone, the cockpit was healing over nicely with even the view screen closed up, the rod Mercy had removed from her chair was put back, and all the fire damage was removed. On the exterior, the white ceramic tiles on the nose for reflecting heat on reentry, most of which had been lost in that very act, were almost all back on their Velcro pads(she still found it hard to believe that they used Velcro at all). If it weren't laying on its side inside of a hole that other tendrils were constantly making deeper in the search for more resources, it might have been more impressive.

As the full moon peaked in the sky, a few clouds drifted over this wild, untamed wilderness, not needing the aid of pegasi in the untethered winds. It moaned through the dead trees like tortured souls calling out warnings, but there was no pony to hear it their pleas. The one being that could hear though, was hardly a pony, and it did not fear the damned.

There was a spark in the dashboard of the cockpit, and a single, grainy screen flickered on. Words began to dance across the screen. ---ROCKETSHIP AT 32% EFFICIENCY---REQUIRED FOR FUNTIONALITY: 100%---68% DEFICIENCY---ERROR---ANALYZING FOR SHORTCUT TROUBLESHOOT---ERROR---OBSTRUCTION---TROUBLESHOOT DEACTIVATED---INSUFFICIENT POWER---SCANNING FOR PILOT---RED ALERT: SUBJECT: CAPTAIN MERCY ANDROMEDA NOT FOUND---SEARCHING FOR PIPBUCK SIGNATURE---SEARCHING---SEARCHING---LOCATED---SUBJECT: CAPTAIN MERCY ANDROMEDA---ITEM: PIPBUCK 6BFF---SUBJECT STATUS: DECEASED---CONDITION: STRESSED---CANNOT RETRIEVE---REQUESTING MINISTRY ASSISTANCE---SITUATION: HOSTILITY UNKNOWN---RECOMMENDATION: DEACTIVATION OF SUIT INHIBITORS---AWAITING MINISTRY MARES' ORAL CODES---AWAITING MINISTRY MARES' ORAL CODES---AWAITING MINISTRY MARES' ORAL CODES---AWAITING MINISTRY MARES' ORAL CODES---AWAITING MINISTRY MARES' ORAL CODES---AWAITING MINISTRY MARES' ORAL CODES---AWAITING MINISTRY MARES' ORAL CODES---STANDBY---UNKNOWN PROGRAM DETECTED---ERROR---ERROR---ERR$#---E#R*(R---#$%*R---!/+-&--@#$&*(%^%#%$^&&*<>:>?>OHY^&G&%VF%$DFHT%NH%^$#!~----------------------------------

The screen flickered out with an ominous hum. All became still, even the tendrils, and for a while, nothing moved. It remained like that for several long moments, and then it flicked back on again, dimmer, but gradually growing brighter.

DEACTIVATION OF SUIT INHIBITORS: DENIED BY MINISTRY OF MORALE AND MINISTRY OF AWESOME---NEAREST SPRITEBOTS RELOCATING---MINISTRY MARE ORAL CODING REQUIRED---WILL AWAIT MINISTRY MARES' ORAL CODES---REEVALUATING REPAIRS---NEW DIAGNOSTICS IMPLEMENTED---ESTIMATED TIME TILL COMPLETION: IRRELEVENT---REPAIR FOCUS: ELDRITCH CANNON 003---INTENTION: DEFENSE OF SPACE CAPTAIN MERCY ANDROMEDA---

The tendrils bean to move again, this time focusing on one aspect of Hope. A panel on the exposed side of the rocketship creaked opened, the hinges not yet cleaned, and a crystal barrel surrounded in magnetic rings extended out. A socket joint, moving smoothly on ruby bearings, allowed the barrels to rotate and aim in the direction of the wayward mare with pinpoint precision.

---CHECKING ELDRITCH CANNON 003---MAGNETIC ALIGNMENT: 12%---SAPPHIRE CONTAINMENT FOCUSER: 98%---COPPER BRIDGNG: 0%---MICROWAVE VORTEX: 0%---ETHEREAL HURRICANE CHARGE: 0%---EVALUATION: MOST INTACT ARTILLARY PIECE AVAILABLE---COMMENCING REPAIRS---PRE-CALCULATING RANGE AND TRAJECTORY---MARGINE OF ERROR: NOT AN OPTION---ACTIVATING MICRO-CAMERAS---PURPOSE: EVALUATION OF FIREND/FOE RATIO---

One of the surviving cameras on the outside of the rocket, a small thing that couldn't be seen unless you knew what to look for, swiveled about until it focused in on Andromeda's pipbuck signature and used infrared lenses to pick out what was going on. Andromeda appeared to be standing back-to-back with two small ponies, fighting off nine other figures. The nine figures were automatically designated as the enemies in the situation. Something worth noting about the nine figures, was that their bodies did not let off a very bright heat signature. The two figures standing with Andromeda were similar, but they appeared to be getting warmer for some reason. One of the nine suddenly vanished completely, Hope chalked it up to being deceased.

---EVALUATION: EIGHT HOSTILES/TWO FRIENDLIES---TRANSFERRING CAMERA DATA TO PIPBUCK---ERROR---ANTENNAE DESTROYED---ANTENNAE REPAIRS ON STANDBY---PRIORITY: ELDRITCH CANNON 003---MINIMUM REQUIRMENTS: 76%---CURRENT STATUS: 22%---OBJECTIVE: PROTECT SPACE CAPTAIN ANDROMEDA---PURPOSE: REDEMPTION---


*	*	*


Mercy swung a shield, knocking away one of the eight remaining attackers when he tried to leap at her from a tree. She was grateful that non-lethal measures could be used without restraint, but sourly disappointed that she could continually bash them; Her fantasies of wielding a mighty magical hammer still so far away. The guns were constantly running out of a charge, luckily they recharged at a reasonable speed, but every so often Andromeda would just have to concentrate on throwing up more shields to guard all sides. Pintsize and Cold would help by calling out enemy positions, and using their own special abilities.

Pintsize, if dirtpony was a racist insult, he made it a thing of awe, his spiked hooves seemed to slice through the ground like a red-hot blade through butter, almost as though her were molding the ground itself, throwing up a screen of dust. At the same time, he was scooping up rocks and launching them with almost terrifying accuracy. Not just any rocks either, he would break them first so that they would have sharp points. There would be more than one gash that needed stitching this night, if any of the remaining eight survived that is.

Cold Wind was proof of why she was part of the team, she used her teal magic to create shaped winds, with which she collected portions of Pintsize's dust cloud and threw them in the direction of her enemies. This allowed her to disorient them, blinding them to openings or forcing them to break off an attack. She could even use this technique to cloak some of the earth pony's rocks, giving the apprentices a nasty surprise. The wordless chemistry she and Pintsize had in combat was quite extraordinary.

The eight apprentices were concentrating most of their attacks upon the odd unicorn mare, seeing her as the greater threat. their bullets and magic merely glanced off of her armor, and her own magic was quite impressive, so far impenetrable to their devices. But what really drove them to concentrate on her was the fact that she wasn't using her magic a weapon, when it could so easily become something devastating. She was treating them like playthings, while keeping them on the move with her magical energy weapons, somehow knowing they wouldn't just run away. They even suspected that she was a better shot than she was displaying, she had taken out one their members who had she had found a vantage point with a single shot, a simple whip of her head and a deft pull of the trigger, an arrogant cattish motion to display her skill. They even saw something wrong with the two ponies who had once been acolytes, the dyes and tattoos now paled, obviously under some spell by this powerful mare. It made their vision turn red with rage and anger fueled their resolve to destroy her, no matter the cost.

Contrary to anything the apprentices were imagining, it was all luck and desperation. Andromeda was completely unaware she had even killed one of them, and actually in a form of panic, rendering her appearance calm, a little smile even, but her heart was fluttering like a hundred startled humming birds, and something felt wrong in her stomach. She found herself wanting to sue Promise for food poisoning. But surely that could wait.

She had found a rhythm with the pistols, using only one at a time, and only when she knew a direction in which to shoot, this way one could recharge while she tried to obliterate the competition with the other. She also tried to keep some focus on the shields to protect her two new friends, have stopped spinning them, and using them more like barriers, while attempting having one close to herself to knock away and of the attackers that got too close, or protect her friends' backs. This was the extent of her stratagem. Generals and commanders would call it lousy, but even they would have to admit it was working extremely well.

Mercy tried to follow one of the apprentices, a unicorn buck with a sawed-off shotgun gripped in his blue aura. But all her shots either hit just behind him, in front of him, or over his back. She cursed her inexperienced aim and brought up her next pistol as the buck vanished behind the brush. She blasted away at the last place she saw his retreating backside, hoping she might hit him.

Cold whipped her horn in an uppercut, sending a dust cloud into a treetop where a shot had come from, just barely missing her. She then fired a couple shots right up after it. The foliage exploded, and it was odd that nothing seemed to catch fire. One downfall of the pistols was that she could never tell if she hit one of them or not. It made everything blow up.

At least it was consistent.

While ducking behind a shield and searching for another target, she deftly encapsulated another one of Pintsize's rocks in dust, and timed her wind as he tossed it in the air, turned around, and bucked it with his hind legs, sending it rocketing through the air. Unfortunately, the apprentices were starting to grow wise to their tricks, and it's intended target dodged to oncoming cloud. The broken rock sunk into a the trunk of a poplar, where it would remain until the tree grew around it and eventually died in an age yet to come.

Andromeda flinched a little when some buckshot ricocheted off her helmet. "That was loud," she muttered as her ears ran in tune with the vibrating glass. She placed a hoof against it to stop the high-pitched vibrations and let out an angry little growl. "I'm not going to go deaf. I will not miss my daughter's first recital. Do you hear me you filthy bilge-rats?"

Cold wasn't sure what bilge was, but it sounded vile, and adding rats to it brought disgusting images up to mind. She shuddered a little and moved out from behind the shield, to fire a few shots at an earth pony mare. Magic energy weapons differed from ballistics, using imperfect gem diodes that allowed shots to be spread over an area, increasing a pony's chances of hitting the target in a skirmish. These were something else. They probably had lab-manufactured gems, as opposed to ones grown on a rock farm, for pinpoint accuracy. Something highly impractical for a magical energy pistol.

Magic weapons were meant for open combat, as the beams could easily be seen, making them useless in stealth operations. But the pinpoint accuracy was something one would usually find in a stealth weapon. Why would any pony make a magic pistol like this? It wasn't some competition pistol either, there telling where the shooter hit the target, as the target would simply be reduced to splinters.

All this meant that her spray-and-pray shooting was actually less effective as she could easily just put a shot in the same place twice. Three times was a real slap in the face. Not to mention the low amount of charges they had. They could only fire about a dozen or so shots before she had to wait for it to recharge itself. At least it had the shock value of explosions. She gave an annoyed half-sigh half-growl, ducking behind the shield again and launching dust clouds.

Pintsize didn't really pay all that much attention to the specifics of the pistol, he was more concerned with defending his sister's body, throwing rocks, keeping up the dust cloud, and returning fire. Blood seeped from a bullet wound in his left shoulder, but the righteous rage welling up within allowed him to ignore it. He felt as his hoof spikes scraped against the soil, and pinged on the rocks, and he felt the sharp points of broken rock slide against his thick callouses. He felt all this and more. His eyes narrow slits that screamed out his anger and frustration.

Every time he missed a target, failing to kill one of the apprentices, he would roar and curse around the gun in his mouth like a madpony. His frustration was beginning to make him neglect the shields, and risk being an open target. But he made sure to keep within jumping distance of Pepper Shot's body, ready to shield her from a hail of bullet if necessary.

Fortunately, marauders tended to be little more than occultist raiders, relying on hit-and-run tactics mixed with saving their own skins. Unless they were acolytes, who learned how to work together in teams. A hail of bullets was about as likely as volcanic eruption on the moon. Apprentices were also merely average shots, another bonus.

Pintsize didn't flinch as a bullet skimmed through his mane, and quickly fired off the last of his pistol's charge in retaliation. Using a  back hoof, he slicing through the ground and found medium sized boulder. Smashing it with a quick strike, he flung the shards up over his back with the same hoof. The shards wiz through the air, making noises like angry hornets, straight at an earth pony apprentice.

The apprentice let out a screech as he felt one of the shards slash his spine. His hind legs died and he collapsed in agony. Another rock to the side of his head finished that. He remained there for moment, then was disintegrated by one of Andromeda's wild shots.

---EXCESSIVE STRESS DETECTED---ADMINISTERING TESTOSTERONE---

Andromeda let out a soft moan as the male hormone mixed with her estrogen. "Knock it off, Peppy," she muttered in a low voice so no pony would hear. "I don't feel like staining the inside of Ministry property." She battled bedroom eyes that threatened to cloud her vision, and the itch developing in her lower self was beginning to grow uncomfortable. How did stallions manage to concentrate on anything with this stuff pumping through their veins?

---RECALCULATING---ADMINISTERING RAMPAGE-4---WARNING---HEART FALIURE IMMINENT---ADRENALINE ON STANDBY---

Andromeda's eyes went wide in horror at what just flashed across her HUD. "On second thought, I'd rather stain the..."

She stopped talking suddenly. Her eyes dilated like black voids, and her heart pumped hard enough to make all the veins in her face flair up with an excess of blood. Time seemed to slow down, and she became aware of every little detail in the immediate vicinity. Colors and shades of them stood out like sore thumbs, nothing blended in, and the starlight seemed brighter than sunshine. Every movement, even just a blade of grass in a breeze, was seen individually without her having to turn her eyes. But she could hear nothing, save her slowed heart, and the blood rushing through her body like a mighty river.

She observed as an apprentice leapt out a tree towards her, hooves extended, and a short rifle in his mouth firing away at her. She watched the bullets fly from the barrel in a fiery bloom, saw their spinning motion, and then watched as a few mushroomed against her helmet and then bounced away. She turned one of her pistols and looked into the stallion's malicious eyes as she lined up the iron sights with his face. She knew she was about to kill him, but didn't feel anything, the drug suppressing her emotions. She didn't even blink when she fired that single shot, effectively erasing him.

The remaining six apprentices had seen these final two deaths, and paused their attacks. These were such deft kills, with skill that surpassed their own. Her strange armor remained unscratched, and her face was a picture of tranquility. That last apprentice she slew with such an unnatural glint in her eyes, as though something unholy dwelt behind them. They felt fear, unlike any they had ever felt before. Terror even.

To disobey a master's orders meant a horrible form of punishment. But, as of now, they were beginning to weigh these punishments against continuing fighting against this indestructible mare. The sight of the small craters and splintered remains of trees helped sway them. After all, they were used to fighting small caravans with merchants and lightly armored mercenaries guards, not some pony in impenetrable armor and carrying pistols that could easily level an entire town.

Discretion was the better part of valor.

Master Hunter did not agree, however. He rose up out of the ground as they began to flee and slashed the throat of a unicorn mare, before glaring at the remaining five. They fell on their faces before him, silently begging for mercy. He looked over to the three ponies standing amidst a sea of devastation.

It shocked the apprentices to see him heaving a sigh on relief.

"New orders," he whispered just loud enough for the apprentices to hear. Even then they had to strain. "The overlord wants them alive."

"How do we do that?" an earth pony stallion asked. He was promptly smacked across the head by Master Hunter. He cowered like an abused dog and whimpered in fear.

"There is no we," Hunter growled at them all. "You're lucky you're all so incompetent. To think I was worried about not getting here in time." He looked back at the three ponies, who were getting a little antsy in the silence, except that strange mare. "Wait here, I be right back."

With that, he became a shadow again and begun his way towards the small group.

Andromeda wasn't sure how long the effects of rampage-4 would last, and with her emotions suppressed at the moment, it didn't really seem to matter. Even the notion of imminent heart failure didn't effect her that much. She thought these things over, even as she observed the broken world around her. Everything was so clear, and would have overwhelmed if she had emotions. It was quite the experience. She even watched as a disconnected shadow swam across the ground towards her and the small ponies.

It was as black as ink, and slithered across the ground like a snake. It seemed more creepy than threatening, but it exuded a sense of dread and made the air go cold. In the darkness of night, it would have been a perfect camouflage.

But, thanks to rampage four, the black blotch stood out like ink on paper. Andromeda turned both pistols towards the shadow and pulled the trigger. The ground exploded where the shadow had once been, leaving behind a crater. Andromeda looked on without emotion at the hole.

The shadow crawled up over the edge of the crater and raced forward again, this time zigzagging about in erratic patterns. more shots went off, Cold and Pintsize seeing the strange mare shooting at something started returning fire, not sure what they were trying to kill. But this only slowed Hunter down.

Andromeda and the teenagers stopped firing when the shadow got too close for such powerful weapons, and watched as it sprouted an appendage that reached out and touched the shadow of the dead teenager. She didn't know what was going to happen, but she knew it was bad, and she coiled her legs to lunge for the poor filly.

---WARNING---HEART FAILING---ADMINISTERING ADRENALINE---

Andromeda let out a cry and clutched her chest as her heart promptly stopped. She collapsed to the ground and heaved a deep breath while pounding at her chest. Her vision started to become fuzzy and everything was going dark. Her emotions no longer suppressed, she felt fear and terror at the thought of dying without seeing her family again. Tears started to fill her eyes as she felt the tips of her hooves start to become cold. Then the adrenaline kicked in.

Stars danced in her vision as her world exploded in pain. Her heart beat rapidly in its attempt to spread and dilute the adrenaline, this made all her bruises flair up, feeling like they were splitting open. Cries of pain echoed throughout the forest, long and shrill, causing birds to wake up and fly off in all directions. That  was, until Peppy enacted the next part.

---ADMINISTERING TESTOSTERONE---

The effects were quickly apparent.

"So much for not leaving a stain," Andromeda muttered as she rolled over and staggered to her hooves with a rubbery wobble. She looked about, everything was dark now, but she could just make out some shapes.

Cold was holding Pintsize down on the ground, all four hooves wrapped about the raging stallion. Pintsize was gnashing his teeth and cursing up a storm while struggling against the small unicorn, who was fighting a losing battle. Andromeda soon saw the reason for this.

Pepper Shot was gone, dragged away by the shadow, and Cold was keeping her brother from chasing after her. The look on that colt's face tore Andromeda's heart in two, the tears and pleads mixed with his rage, the quiver in his voice, and the strength of his struggles. He wanted his sister something fierce, and he wasn't about to let anything stop him. To make it all worse, Andromeda knew that these malicious fiends knew this all too well. There was no way the poor colt could make any rational action at this point in time. Their chances of survival without his dust screen would be zero, and they couldn't just hold him down and force him to help.

There was only one clear path to choose.

Andromeda picked up her pistols from the ground and tossed them with her magic towards where she had seen the shadow coming from. She grabbed the other two pistols from nearby the teenagers and did the same with them.

"We surrender," she said in a loud, broken voice. She gritted her teeth and growled. "Please... don't do anything to his sister's body. We'll go quietly."

There was a long pause of silence, Pintsize included. The two teenagers gaped at Andromeda as though they couldn't believe she was actually doing this. Andromeda gave them both a smile and mouthed 'it'll be okay'. Then she straightened herself up, took on a serious expression, and sat down to await the next move.

"Uh... you'd... better," came a rather uncertain voice, showing that Andromeda had somehow managed to catch her adversaries off guard. "We've received orders to bring you back alive. So here's what's going to happen. We'll split into teams, and if you try anything... well, her body won't be very recognizable. And there'll be a couple guns at the back of your heads at all times. So, any false moves, and you'll die."

"If you harm her...," Pintsize began to say, but was quickly muzzled with Andromeda's magic. She gave him a little shake of her head. He quickly calmed down.

"We understand," she said with a sigh and a slow nod. "That was such a waste of a drug," she muttered to herself in regards to rampage-4. It had only allowed her to take out one of the apprentices, and then almost killed her.

She suddenly found herself suppressing the urge to vomit with the sudden realization. She had just killed another pony. It had been her intention, and she understood that she had to do it. But still, this was knew to her, and the fact that Peppy had administered it to her without permission, making her do it without any emotion whatsoever, only made it seem worse. Her swallowed the contents that threatened to spill from her mouth and shivered.


*	*	*


The walk through the forest with two apprentices as an escort, two more in the trees with shotguns aimed at them, and one somewhere else with Pepper Shot's body, was a relatively quiet one. Pintsize kept on looking about anxiously, trying to catch a glimpse of his sister's body. Cold was keeping her head low, and her ears laid back in submission, dreading what was to come, and every now and then, she gave a sour sniff. Andromeda on the other hoof, was keeping up a calm façade, though not without a little trouble, her eyes forward and ears erect, unwilling to show any weakness.

Master Hunter was nowhere to be seen, as he had opted to stay behind to lick his wounds and rest. He had used to excuse of wanting to examine the strange mare's guns. Besides, he hardly wanted to face the black unicorn again that night. The forest would keep him safe while he slept, and soon he would be ready to hunt proper prey again. Ponies who wouldn't steal his acolytes and humiliate him. He hoped his master would leave at least a small portion of the mare untouched, so that he could exact his own revenge upon her flesh.

The apprentices led their captives along no distinct path, quite literally walking right through the brush with bruising a single leaf or snapping a twig. Thorns left them unscratched, and loose stones on rocky descents held firm for them, boasting a dark union of nature and pony. The only thing that gave any of them away was the periodic cackling they let loose, whether it was an uncontrollable result of upbringing or dark magic was unclear. Whatever sanity they possessed appeared to be limited to the amount of control they had in any given moment. They  tried to kill their former companions without hesitation, considered abandoning the task when things were going south, quivered before an old unicorn buck, and now acted as though none of that had happened since they were in control. Not even their four dead companions phased them at the moment.

Andromeda was committing the terrain and distinct landmarks to memory, wanting to be sure to describe it in detail when she reported this to the Ministries. This was barbaric, beastly behavior akin to a rabid parasprite infestation. She wanted to see this whole forest covered in royal guards, dragging these monsters from their dens and throwing them into cells to await judgment. She was certain she could get the teenagers off with just some heavy counseling and therapy. After all, nopony would convict such young, physically abused ponies. The threat of desecrating the earth pony filly's corpse snitched the fact that they were often unwilling participants under threat of cruel and unusual punishment.

The tree soon gave to a clearing, and at the other end of the clearing was a mossy canyon. At the mouth of the canyon were poles mounted with the skulls of rodents, birds, and even ponies. Firefly lanterns hung above the canyon floor, suspended by twine strung to the underside of sturdy bridges that arched across the divide, swaying in breezes like little spirits. The sides of the canyon were full of caves, some natural, and some pony made, and each was covered with curtains of fur. Andromeda tried to reason that they were all animal hides, but some were just too colorful to ignore.

The two apprentices who were following in the treetops were now walking along the ground behind them, grinning maniacally. The one who had been charged with holding onto Pepper Shot's body could be seen off to the left, keeping a good distance away. He watched Pintsize's horrified expression with glee, and made some rather lewd gestures to the dead filly draped over his back. Andromeda ran a warm aura through the colt's mane so as to comfort him.

As they made their way through the canyon, Mercy began to see that the entire floor was riddled with bones. Old and new, they lay about carelessly, moss growing over them, slowly breaking them apart and turning them brittle. Again, she couldn't ignore the watches and cheap bracelets on some of them, lesser treasures that these murderers didn't think worth taking. Some of the bones were even being gnawed upon as they walked through.

It wasn't just adults that were gnawing on the bones, but foals too. Colts and fillies of all ages could be seen rummaging through the bones, searching out treasures, or even sword fighting with them. One small filly was beating on a pair of skulls with a femur as though they were drums. Her shark-tooth grin was disturbingly endearing when she gave Andromeda an innocent wave, unaware of the unholy crime she was committing.

The adults bared their filed teeth at the prisoners, making lewd gestures and curses, which were copied enthusiastically by the foals. A couple of old mares threw some rather indecent garbage at them, causing all three ponies to flinch a little in disgust. One stallion even urinated over the edge of a bridge upon them, receiving raucous laughter from the growing crowd that was following them. Some older colts wanted to get in on the action, making little hit-and-run attacks at the prisoners with jawbone, using the teeth to try and draw blood. The adults encouraged this.

"This is evil most foul," Andromeda snarled quietly, unable to ignore anything anymore. She was grateful at this moment that her helmet contained such pleasant scents, as she was sure the scent outside might kill her. Felt pity for the two teenagers, seeing their old friends and comrades now tearing at them with words and refuse.

She thought again. It was possible these ponies might not have even recognized Pintsize and Cold. The dyes and tattoos were so faded they may as well of been somepony else entirely. Although, she wondered, would that really make such a difference? These ponies were wicked monsters, and they trained their children as such. It was probably ingrained in them as an instinct now.

A rock glanced off her helmet, jarring her from her thoughts. She looked about for the perpetrator, but found it fruitless as others were beginning to pick up rocks as well. Not just rocks, bones as well. She acted quickly, using the DMCs to shield the teenagers. She pulled back her lips and growled at the assembled horde.

This shocked them. The rocks and bones stopped flying as quickly as they had begun, and everypony back up from the angry mare that had effectively covered both the acolytes in impenetrable magic boxes. Even the foals pulled back, feeling scared and running to find their parents for whatever comfort they could provide.

The apprentices were the most shaken of all. Knowing the strength of that strange magic. Nevertheless, they kept moving, urging them on with vile threats to the dead filly. They became relieved when Andromeda dropped her shields once she felt confident nothing more would be thrown.

They soon exited out the other side of the canyon and started walking up a trail. Tree stood on either side of the well-worn path, firm beneath their hooves, and the sound of rushing water could be heard somewhere off to the side. The mass of ponies followed the apprentices and their prisoners at a safe distance, wanting to see what was going to happen. They were silent now, only their hoofsteps audible in darkness.

The soon passed the tree line, and the first thing everypony saw was the black unicorn standing in front of the lake. His turquoise eyes held no feeling, and the way the main crowd hung further back told Andromeda he was rather important. Even the apprentices' steps became slower as they drew closer. Even their smiles began to fade. When they were within jumping distance of him they back away, putting their prisoners in between the unicorn and them. The unicorn regarded the prisoners without expression. It stayed this way for so long, that when he did speak, more than one pony jumped. Andromeda managed to subdue a squeak that tried to escape her throat.

"Are you the strange mare Master Hunter spoke of?" the black unicorn asked, producing a knife from nowhere and holding it up to eyelevel to twirl it about in his magic. His eyes bore into Andromeda's searching for some rhyme or reason for her very existence. It was hard to tell if she baffled or intrigued him.

"The one who kicked his pathetic flank and made him resort to cheating, then yes," Andromeda said as nonchalantly as she could. She watched the knife with little interest. He didn't know that her suit could stop bullets.

The stallion looked past her at Pintsize and Cold. "And these are the traitorous acolytes to the Harlequin Mask Marauders?"

There was an audible gasp from the group. Apparently they hadn't recognized them without the dark dyes and tattoos. The two teenagers tried to be brave, standing up straight like the strange mare and puffing out their chests. They nodded firmly.

The black unicorn turned back to Andromeda. "You are a strange pony. What power do you posses that could turn a couple of my acolytes against me? We train them so well."

Andromeda didn't answer, she just narrowed her eyes and took a step forward.

The apprentices growled and aimed their guns at her. The black stallion raised his hooves and shook his head. They lowered their weapons a little.

"You even scare the rest of them," he said in a tone that almost made it seem like a compliment. "I could use a mare like you." He looked her over wordlessly, then back into her eyes. He grunted. "Good child-bearing hips. I can offer great rewards."

Andromeda pulled her head back in disgust. "I'm afraid I've got some nasty teeth between my legs. I'm afraid you'll want to decline." She made sure not to make any mention of her having family.

"Merely a thought," the black unicorn said with a shrug. "But, perhaps you could still be useful."

"I don't plan on it," Mercy told him with a growl.

THWACK!

Andromeda crossed her eyes to see the tip of the unicorn's knife resting just fractions from her face. It had pierced right though her helmet. A helmet that had survived bullets, extreme pressures and intense heat, healed itself, and could quite possibly be used to bend steel. She gulped and took a step back.

The black unicorn withdrew the blade with a smile that made Mercy's blood turn cold. He pun it around and circle and it somehow became two, which he then held against the throats of the teenagers. He stepped up to Mercy and pressed his face against her helmet.

"Now, let's make a little deal."
> Chapter Nine: Mrs. Miserables
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Andromeda felt the muddy creek bottom squelch around her boots, the morning sun's crimson rays pierced the periwinkle sky at her back as she trudged through the shallow waters. Poking out of her right saddlebag was the handle of a machete that looked to be made from a lawnmower blade. It was quite useless, but she had accepted it so as not to insult the marauders. She used her DMCs to keep her path clear, whether that meant cutting through brush or smash certain obstacles out of her way. All the while she kept the navigation arrow in the center of her vision.

"What kind of deal?" she had asked the black unicorn, watching the little blades hover just fractions from cutting the teenagers' jugulars.

"We need you to retrieve something that was stolen from us," he said with a sideways look at her, as though he was sizing her up. That mesmerizing reptilian eye roved over her body, until it reached her helmet and squinted as the hole he had made finished sealing itself up.

"What is it I need to find?"

The black stallion closed his eyes and took a deep breath before reopening them and staring into the mare's eyes. "Very dark items that you shall know as soon as soon as you see them."

Andromeda slipped on a rock and landed face first in the stream. She watched the water rush by the outside of her helmet, along with a few water bugs. She got back up and shook some of the water off, more out of a principle than necessity. She looked about to see if there might have been any predators close by. That unicorn had made her weary of other things that might live in the forest. Perhaps there was some other foul monster in these woods that could cut her helmet as well.

Not those weeds. Those things were pathetic now that she knew a proper defense mechanic.

"And what will I get if I retrieve these... dark items for you?" she had asked him, hoping he would say she could go.

"Then you and these traitors may depart," the stallion said with a casual wave of his hoof.

Bonus. She was going to plead for their lives as well had said otherwise, but this saved time and frustration. She immediately agreed to his terms and he magically downloaded the location of these items onto her pipbuck. She still couldn't get the expressions on the faces of those two teenagers after she hugged them and told them in a maternal tone that she would be back for them. It also seemed to leave the rest of the blasphemous crowd speechless as the black unicorn deposited the machete in her saddlebag and she headed off in the direction indicated on her HUD.

And she still wasn't tired. "It's the suit," she kept telling herself. What other answer could there be? There was no such thing as the walking dead. No matter how much Peppy seemed to insist otherwise.

She eventually got out the stream when she came to a bend, and began traipsing over a rocky field with little patches of weeds. Crossing it quickly, she took a moment to duck inconspicuously behind a tree and look back. She'd actually done this a few times already, a shiver would run up her spine and that clammy feeling one got when they sensed eyes upon them would creep into her mind.

However, every time she looked back, nothing was there. Not even a shifting branch or fallen leaf. And, each time, she would berate herself. She had seen these ponies walk without bending the grass, or catching on the thorns. If they were following her to make sure she was doing her job, than she would never see them. There could be fifty of them around her at all times and she would never know.

She looked up into the green canopy, watching dust dance in the sunbeams. A sparrow, stared back at her, peeped, and then flew off. With a sigh, she continued on again.

The sparrow alighted on another branch and turned to look back at her. The eyes lighting up with a green mist. It observed the mare slow down, the mist dimmed, then the pony picked up her pace. The mist brightened and the sparrow flew after the strange are. It was the only creature, other than insects, that would dare get close to her.

Mercy began to think about what kind of thief would steal something from such insane ponies. Somepony equally or even more insane. Was the best she came up with. What dark items did they steal anyway? Bones scrimshawed with magic runes? A special gun or knife? The unicorn had some special knives anyway. Maybe they used to be a set of three. Or, as she felt she needed a laugh, it was a some sort of "male enhancement" underwear stolen in a panty raid. That might very well require the thief to go into hiding.

She paused for a second and shivered suddenly. "Mercy, you moron, sure it was a funny thought, but you have to carry that back with you. I don't care if scholar say magic can't transfer disease, that's just disgusting."

---WARNING---MAINTAIN SANITY---YOU ARE ALONE---

Andromeda just groaned. "Is there any way to turn that off Peppy?"

---NEGATIVE---

"If you weren't a very expensive piece of Ministry tech, I would take you off and throw you in a river," she hissed at Peppy. Then she shook her head. She was back on the ground, found civilization and actually talked to physical ponies. Albeit they were either rude or just perverse. But, it should have been enough to keep her from screaming at a pipbuck. Even if it did keep telling her she was dead.

"Peppy," she said in a determined voice, "play the unicorn Arcanum Hymn*. I could use a moral booster."

---BEGINNING TRACK 12 of 23---

Andromeda puffed out her chest and inhaled a deep breath of peach-flavored air, before going forth at a steady gallop. The music started steadily with a single violin, playing a haunting little melody, than rose with more strings and woodwinds, adding mystery and an air of caution, than burst into a flaming spirit with brass and drums. This carried on for a minute, until a single angelic voice pierced the orchestra's majesty. Sweetie Belle's royal command performance with Maneheim Steamroller was considered one of the highlights of her young career.

Your mighty power shall be as a torrential wave,
Bursting forth with the limits of imagination and logic,
With your horns as hard as iron and your hearts as purest gold,
A glorious shield shall you be to your brothers in battles thick,
Sharpened are your minds pure minds never letting your honor be sold,
Through trial and tribulation against a master and slave,
You shall carry on with this great power our majestic hosts of war.

Oh, how she would have loved to feel the wind in her mane at that moment, to set it free. But the memory of a certain unicorn stallion with sharp teeth dissuaded her from cutting another hole. The forest was prettier in the daylight, still dark and menacing, but prettier all the same. The music boiled her blood ecstatically.

Never faltering in your duty to your country,
A beacon of strength to your sons and daughters,
And a warm wave of love and pride to your ever waiting wives.
Your powers and knowledge shall grow greater each century,
Your great understanding shall heal the wounds and bones of others.
Never shall you regret this divine choice to live as brothers,
You shall all stand as one to the earth and sky our majestic hosts of war.

Leaping over a shallow hole she carried landed heavily on the other side, not detecting any strain on his body, and bounded off again. Had she been paying attention, she would have noticed that the hole was instead a crater, and at the bottom were the charred remains of a unicorn stallion with blackened metal spikes imbedded in his legs. He faced the same direction Andromeda was headed, but was now crushed and burnt to carbon by some unforeseen force. He would remain untouched, a testament to the others who might follow in his steps. Completely missed by a mare in a space suit.

Let your enemies blow away as dust in the wind,
Then they all shall kneel and beg for forgiveness for having sinned,
You shall command them with great voices and they shall obey.
The oppressors and evils shall quake as you lead their own slaves against them,
Those who were ordered to attack your country shall be united to you as brothers,
And they shall fight by your side forever,
Giving their lives for your beliefs and ideals our majestic hosts of war.

The possessed sparrow continued after the mare, flapping hard to keep up, the green mist glowing even brighter as whomever controlled it forced magic into its wings to fly faster. But the mare kept on pulling away. The magic in the wings soon began to be forced out between the feather, tinted red as they broke apart with an overload of power. The sparrow began to appear like a radioactive phoenix, falling apart with every flap of its burning wings.

The sun will rise and give you her celestial power,
The enemy hosts shall see this and cower,
Running before your might as vermin before the mighty predators.
All hearts as one you shall cast your power over the fools,
Those who dare to think they can have victory,
But it shall be torn from them in a wave of your glory,
All hearts shall fall as you march on our majestic hosts of war.

Possession can only last as long as the host is alive. So when the body finally disintegrated, the magic mist that held it dissipated as well. Leaving nothing but ashes and charred meat. The possessor cursed and reached out into forest for another weak-minded beast to anchor to. But they had all fled for some reason. This mare's speed did not impress the magician, there were stranger things in this horrid world. This stranger was merely one of many.

Blessed with great intelligence and fortitude before our time began,
Strategy and planning have always been your strengths,
Our enemies shall strain themselves and go through great lengths,
To counter your offensives and overcome your walls,
But they shall hold firm and all your brothers shall be safe.
Their offensives will burst and their mightiest fortress falls,
Before your intellect and power our majestic hosts of war.

The magician became perplexed when no new beasts were available. Insects were too fragile, and plants needed constant transference of energies that could drain magic. The rune were ignoring the stranger, and the magician felt something was wrong. Shifting from the lumpy cushion in the center of a circle of bones scrimshawed with glowing runes, and moving towards a bookcase full of odds and ends, the magician grabbed a particularly familiar object from the clutter and returned back to the cushion. Eyes closed to reach out with her senses and prepare a trap.

The moon shall light your path in the darkest night,
And you will see your enemy as he tries to hide himself,
Your great inventions shall spread terror and win the fight,
The machines of your imaginings shall lead us to victory.
All of your brothers shall shower you with praise and glory,
Under your eyes shall the world progress against the godless,
Leading us onward into new ages and dreams our majestic hosts of war.

Andromeda bulled right through a blackberry bush. That's what she told herself anyway. She had tripped over a rock and when rolling across the ground like a bowling ball. Salvaging the pride would be a polite way of saying it. When she picked herself up and dusted off her shoulders, she took a step forward and stopped. Her mouth fell open as she stared up at what had to be her destination, all the while, the final chorus of the song played inside her helmet.

When it is at long last your time to pass,
The world shall never forget your generosity and magical friendship,
And we shall await the day we can see you again.
Keepers of the knowledge of heaven without hardship,
Always ready with answers and knowledge,
In that eternity without war and forgotten pain,
And we shall stand forever in harmony with our majestic hosts of war.

"And mention of death, of course," Andromeda muttered in annoyance, slightly regretting her choice of songs now. "That's not part of my plan."

---DENIAL---

She didn't pay attention to Peppy, preferring to keep her eyes locked upon the door of a stable. One that was labeled 41. Her legs began to tremble and she swallowed hard as she took a step forward, wishing she was not seeing what lay before her. Her desired destination appearing as a nightmare before her eyes.

The door had somehow been ripped off its hinges, long scratches dragged across it's surface. She walked past the door and into the control room. There was blood everywhere, and even tufts of fur scattered about. The stable door control panel was bashed in, and a broken tool chest laid close by, its contents dumped out as though somepony had tried to find some specific tools in a hurry. Too late it seemed.

Venturing further, she gulped and shivered at the vandalism visited upon the place, obscene words and images painted in blood and bile. She gripped the handle of the crude machete in her magic and levitated it out in front of her, giving it a practice swing. Clumsy, displaying her lack of skill. This was the work of wicked ponies, and she had recently learned her DMCs didn't work on them. She still found that to be slightly racist.

Proceeding into the metal halls, she waved the blade about the corner just in case something was hiding behind them. It would almost be comical if it weren't for the Picasso of massacres she began discovering. Tossed into piles, pinned to walls, or hanging from hooks and chains were mutilated corpses that she couldn't bring herself to stop looking at. Maybe that was the purpose, to hold the gaze of anypony that wandered in. A disgusting tactic that she had never heard of.

Mercy might have vomited, if not for certain recent events. As of now, she was just feeling the terror of a wife and mother, knowing that her family were supposed to come here in case the bombs fell. Luckily, she thought, they hadn't. But if this was supposed to be where they would go, she would need to inform somepony that it was in a dangerous area. How could Stable Tec make such a terrible mistake? Unless certain rumors were true.

She recalled hearing gossip of things, strange and awful things. She had heard that Stable Tec was using some of the stables for experiments. Social manipulation, military sleepers, population control, subtle chemical and radiation exposure, and even political systems completely opposed to Equestrian values. But those were just rumors right? No pony would ever try and do such terrible things. Right?

But, this was Stable 41, and it was right in the middle of a dangerous forest, where dangerous criminals and racist bigots were the closest neighbors. Perhaps there was some substance in those rumors.

"Suffice to say," she said to herself as she clung to a wall and peered around a corner, "I am not letting my family come here. I'll ask for another reservation." She looked around at the blood and corpses. "And they had better give it."

After what seemed an hour, mostly due to caution, she arrived at a long hallway. It was odd, to say the least. It was simply long, and no turns, no doors along the sides, and no blood. It was clean as a whistle. Which would have been strange in and of itself, if not for the next thing she saw. In the middle of the hallway, and just a few steps away from her, was a shotgun. She put away her machete and slowly trotted closer to examine the weapon.

It was a work of art. Black, 12 gauge, drum mag, short barrel(not sawed-off short), red mahogany stock, and completely inlaid with gold scrolling. It had gems for iron sights, sapphires in the back and a ruby up front, perfectly cut. Along the side of the barrel were the words: A Really Good Time. Checking the drum, she found it fully loaded with unfired shells, and each one of the shells had a message written on it in fairly decent hoofwriting. Messages like: 'Hoofball party', 'Shooting gallery', 'Mares and alcohol(definitely a stallion's gun)', and even 'Winning the Lottery'. She put the shells back in and pumped the receiver. It was smooth and without catch, almost silent.

Her inner nerd threatened to come out.

Armed with the new weapon, she trotted forward into the hall, the shotgun levitating out in front of her. She kept her ears alert just in case anything tried to sneak up on her, but up until now, she hadn't even come across so much as an insect. Not even flies around the corpses. That was slightly disturbing. But, Peppy wasn't warning her of anything, so she continued forward.

"How long is this stupid hallway," she groaned after about ten minutes of a steady trot.

Indeed, the hall seemed to go on forever, and with each step it became darker. Fortunately, all pipbucks had a light. Which she used when it started getting too dark to see. That horrid feeling was starting to crawl over again. She began to insanely imagine that she had indeed found somepony else in the stable, and he had killed her, the hallway was like walking towards the light. Or deeper into the darkness. A weight settled in her stomach as she imagined herself on the road to Tartarus for some unknown crime against pony kind. Was killing those awful ponies last night damned her to eternal torment?

Well, there weren't any screams of tortured souls yet.

She paused for a moment when she started to see a light up ahead. Dim at first, but growing brighter. She picked up her pace and lowered A Really Good Time's barrel. It wouldn't do to accidentally shoot a possible survivor in this gutted stable. Perhaps this was an escape route, a long straight tunnel, no cover, unless the builders had planned that and left shields for the ponies to drag behind them in their retreat, forcing any pursuers to either leave off the chase, or be mowed down. That would account for the lack of blood.

The light was much brighter now, and she began a full gallop when she saw the outline of the hall's ending. She smiled and called out reassurances so no pony would shoot at her, for all the good that would do, she even managed to put the shotgun in her other saddlebag to show she meant no harm. She turned off her pipbuck light and gave a mighty leapt, bursting out of the hall and and into a room, looking around gleefully in hopes of finding some civilized and friendly ponies who might help her.

What she got instead was an odd mare pointing a large pistol in her face.

All at once, the illusion that was the stable, the metal halls and everything just melted away, revealing stone and dirt, with roots poking through the ceiling. The room was basically circular, and their were odd wooden shelves and full of clutter, a table of jars and pots full of strange substances, a circle of scrimshawed bones surrounded a lumpy blue cushion, and a bed of pine needles off to the side. the light source she had followed was a simple fire pit.

As for the mare, she was butter yellow with a purple mane, tied back in, of all things, a ponytail, and her tail was wrapped in bandages to keep it from tangling on anything. Her hooves were calloused from long hours of hard work, going well with her thick legs and broad hips. She wore atop her head an old traffic cone, which was really confusing, under which her almond eyes peered like rattlesnakes, daring Mercy to make a move. Attached to her neck was a twilight-blue cape, bearing the image of golden wasp swarm, covering her cutie mark.

Andromeda was both relieved that this wasn't Stable 41, and greatly annoyed at the mare for such a cruel trick.

"What the idea?" she demanded of the mare angrily. The mare opened her mouth reply, but was cut off by Andromeda, who took an aggressive step forward. "I mean, come on, I almost had a heart attack. Does torturing other ponies' brains get you off or something? Try soaking your rump in a bucket of ice next time you get one of your sick fantasies. For crying out loud. I could have been here, grabbed the stuff, and left an hour ago. So, where are these dark items those sick clowns want?"

The odd mare tilted the traffic cone back a little in surprise at the strange mare's boldness. This action revealed a small, curved, white horn. As if levitating the pistol wasn't proof enough that she was a unicorn. She tipped her head to the side and brought the pistol closer to Andromeda's helmet, letting her get a good look at it.

Andromeda looked at it contritely. It was a revolver, 500 Smith and Whinny, five round cylinder, with a tarnished chrome finish, and cracked plastic handle. It would have been more alarming if the mare wasn't aiming at the helmet. Everypony aimed there. Then they all learned that it was extremely stupid. Anywhere else and it was sure to leave a bruise.

"Cute," Andromeda said, pulling out A Really Good Time. "Mine's bigg...err..."

She blushed a little to find that the shotgun was a just a bunch of evergreen roots held together with fish bones. What was it with all these ponies and bones anyway? She tossed it aside and pulled out the machete. The odd mare chuckled as she turned the pistol and blasted the blade to tiny shards with one shot. She didn't even aim.

Mercy shook her head in pain from the sound of the blast. The gunshot echoed over and over inside her helmet. It was like having a pot beaten over her head with a metal spoon.

The mare sighed humorously and moved the pistol back to Andromeda and leaned her head forward with a wicked smile. "So, little filly, did those raiders send you to retrieve their precious bitties? I'm afraid I don't feel like giving them up just yet."

Andromeda adopted a curious look. "Raiders?"

The odd mare rolled her eyes dramatically. "Marauders, as you prefer. I don't care how tidy they are. They're still just raiders."

"Tidy? They live on a carpet of skeletons," Andromeda quipped.

"Better than a rotting brahma carcass chandelier," the mare returned with a shrug. This was odd, the mare thought. Why was this strange mare making her not want to pull the trigger? In fact, why hadn't she just shot her the moment she popped inside the room?

"That's just disgusting," Andromeda gagged, although unsure what a brahma was.

"Well, you're working for them," the mare said, playing with pulling the trigger, but holding the hammer in place. Seriously, this mare should have been dead by now. Was she using some sort of spell? This could be trouble.

"To save a couple of teenagers who chose to hang out with the wrong crowd," Andromeda reasoned.

The mare looked at curiously. "That has got to be amongst the stupidest things I have ever heard. Once a raider, always a raider. No matter what their age is. Put them all down, snuff the cribs, and burn their rot. That's what you do with raiders."

"No pony's above redemption," Andromeda stated with a stamp of her hoof. Then she thought again. "Well, save the ones who sell their souls to the devil."

"And fully sold they are," the mare said with a flourish of her left hoof.

"Not these two," Andromeda said with a scowl.

The mare felt the desire to pull the trigger returning. It had to be some sort of magic. "What makes these two so special? Oh. Perhaps a pair of stallions bearing a healthy pair each. Hah. You like them young, don't you?"

Andromeda clenched her teeth. "How dare you. Who are you to say such perverse things?"

"Misses Marigold Miserables," the mare said, tipping the traffic cone forward, covering her horn. She began squeezing the trigger. "You're suit shall look marvelous on my wall. A novel little item."

"It's bulletproof, Mrs. Miz-er-obbes," Andromeda said behind her burning scowl, hoping she pronounced the fancy name right.

"Three words," Miserables said with a fiendish smile, "armor... piercing... bullets."

BA-LAM

Feeling a headache coming on, Andromeda somehow managed to keep her eyes looking forward. The crazy mare had actually managed to nick her helmet. Somehow that made her feel better. She knew the helmet's limits now. But, if there was only a nick, then where did the blood come from?

Wiping the red ooze away with magic, she locked eyes with the stunned Mrs. Miserables, Then, slowly, the both looked down and saw a large hole in the yellow mare's chest. She dropped the pistol and staggered back, knocking over some bones in the ring. Both mares were silent, then panicked.

Andromeda danced on the tips of her hooves, crying out apologies. This mare, though a jerk, was just defending herself in a forest full of vicious outlaws. It would be a horrible thing to be shot in her own house, by a bullet from her own gun. She looked around for bandages or any form of medicine. But there didn't seem to be anything.

Mrs. Miserables was shrieking in pain and fear. The bullet had missed her heart, but she was almost positive it had pierced a lung. The blood was flowing out of her quickly, running down her chest and dripping onto the floor. She feared death more than she feared the strange mare, who, apparently, wasn't taking this any better. She turned her back on the mare and staggered towards the table, but collapsed when she was only halfway there. The traffic cone fell off her head. She put a hoof over her chest and coughed loudly, tears streaming down her face as she found herself unable to move any further.

"WhatdoIdowhatdoIdo," Andromeda shrieked, rushing to the mare's side and trying to get a look at the wound. "Let me help you. I'm no good with anything other than Band-Aids, but I can learn. Tell me what to do, I'm a good listener."

Mrs. Miserables was too scared to refuse her help. He motioned with her head to the table. "Pot... yellow... please," she gargled out through the blood that was threatening to drown her. She silently pleaded with whatever god was out there, begging for her life. Begging that this wouldn't be her tomb. She hardly noticed as Andromeda ran to the table.

Mercy set her front hooves on the table and began to throw stuff about. Jars were knocked out of the way, and lids flew about like Frisbees as she looked for something yellow. She found it, the last thing on the table, of course. She gripped the small pot in her magic and rushed back to the mare.

Mrs. Miserables had managed to roll onto her back in an attempt to stop the bleeding. But that made more of it fill her lung. Either way, she was in a pickle. A pickle sandwich sounded good all of a sudden. How long had it been since she had one? These strange thoughts in this dark time suddenly vanished when a searing heat enveloped her chest.

Andromeda, not realizing that the contents were especially hot, had pushed the protective hooves from the chest, and dumped the contents out over the wound, hoping that that was how it was supposed to be applied. She leapt back when the mare suddenly sat up, screaming so hard that she expelled the blood from her lung, along with the deformed bullet, glared vengefully at her, and then promptly fainted.

Mercy watched Mrs. Miserables for a moment, sweating fearfully. Praying she hadn't been more harm than good. The mare was still, almost lifeless. That made the sweating become even worse. Biting her lip, she took a couple steps closer, stopping when she heard a soft snore.

"Thank the Maker," she said as almost she collapsed in gratitude. She used her DMCs to lift the unconscious mare off the ground and move her over to the bedding, where she gently laid her down and placed a couple of dirty blankets over. Then, she proceeded to do the next logical thing. Clean up the mess.
> Chapter Ten: The Sins of the Past
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hurry up you stupid cow," the aged zebra in a heavy coal cloak yelled for his subordinate to hear. "I want to be across the border before sundown."

"What about lunch, Grandfather?" asked the subordinate.

The zebra stopped atop of the white dune and growled, pulling back his lips to expose metal fangs. A wind picked up and blew his cloak to the south, exposing the magenta chassis of his power armor. It was much newer than anything the Steel Rangers had, slimmer and more formfitting, allowing a combination of comfort and versatility. Tassels of purple silk hung about the shoulders and hips, while brass chains ending in viper heads wrapped about his fetlocks. Lastly, upon his chest, was the golden image of an alicorn mare in all her glory. The battle scars only served to make it more fearsome.

Scowling, the zebra turned to watch as his grandson panted as he climbed the steep sand incline. A slightly overweight teal earth pony. The pathetic excuse for a soldier was unfit for this kind of work. Which was why he had been brought along. The old zebra believed in learning on the job.

The young earth pony stallion finally reached the top of the dune and collapsed, panting and sweating, his leather barding clinging to his wet fur. He turned his green eyes up to find himself nose-to-nose with his disapproving grandfather. He groaned weakly and tried to push himself up. But found a heavy hoof keeping him from doing so.

"What now?" the earth pony demanded haughtily. He immediately regretted it.

With a flick of his hoof, the zebra sent him rolling back down the dune in a cloud of sand. The zebra snorted and looked down at the prone figure of the stallion. The stallion's pack had opened up and all their supplies had scattered. "Pick it all up, colt, and get back up here. I will give to the count of twenty. If you are not up here by then, then we'll skip lunch and continue on till nightfall. Maybe longer if you disappoint me anymore."

Legs burning in pain, the stallion managed to get everything together and reach the top of the hill by the time the zebra reached seventeen. The zebra hardly acknowledged him and then continued on, down the other side of the dune. The poor buck let out a groan and followed.

"It's no fair," he wheezed as he practically slid down the hill. "You got power armor, you could... walk... walk all week."

"I am being very fair. It's been turned off since we left Sanctuary."

The pony froze and listened. Sure enough there was no sound of motors running. His grandfather was moving without any aid whatsoever.

"Grandma... told you never... to do that... again," he shouted after the old zebra, quickening his aching legs to catch up with him. "You know how much she... she worries about you."

The zebra rolled his eyes. "She worries about you. Thinking I need to conserve energy to save your sorry hide. Even after you got us into this mess."

"Hey, you're the one... who ordered a red alert," the grandson retorted. "If anything... it's... your... fault."

"You're the bucker who traced the signal," the grandfather shot right back. "Right now, I could be rubbing your grandmother's..."

"No nightmare fuel," the grandson shouted, dropping to the ground and covering his tender ears. Much to the zebra's amusement.

"How could such a wonderful plot give you nightmares?" he chuckled in bemusement at the pony's agonized cries. "After all, it's nice and round, firm from her exercises, and she likes it when I..."

"Stooooop," the pony pleaded. But his grandfather was merciless.

"But the real treasures reside between her thighs," he continued with faraway look in his eyes. "Did you know she still lactates? No potion's doing either. Just constant su..." He paused when he no longer heard his grandson's pleas. Turning around he saw him laying sprawled out on the ground, twitching.

"Oh no," the zebra gasped, rushing over to the fallen pony and shadowing him from the sun before reaching down to see if he was alright. He let out a sigh of relief when his grandson let out a soft moan. Closing his eyes, the zebra sat down and removed his cloak. Under which was an assortment of weapons, he was only interested in a short rod.

Pressing a button on the side of the rod, it extended into a spear. He stuck the tip into the ground near the pony and then hung the cloak upon it, weighting down the corner with the sand before removing the pack from the pony's back and rolling him over to fan his face.

"I've pushed you two hard these past weeks, Short Wave, I am truly sorry." He may have been a rough and demanding old soldier, but he did care deeply for his grandson. "Rest this day, and the next, I will stand watch over you."

His grandson muttered some weak thanks and closed his eyes to sleep. The zebra activated his power armor, there was a slight hum and then the sand began to blow away beneath his hooves. Two rifles automatically moved into position at his sides, green lights coming on to show they were fully charged. The plates under the collar shifted to construct a helmet about his head, allowing only his mane to stick out. A magic view screen allowed him to see without need of any form of transparent material, in place of which, was the bright gold word: COMMISSAR.


*	*	*


Since the black unicorn hadn't given her a time limit, Andromeda tentatively assumed she could to care for the poor mare at least until she woke up. She knew she should get back as soon as possible for Pintsize and Cold's sake, but she couldn't just leave the mare like this. What if something came into her cave while she slept? That didn't bare thinking about.

Having explored the cave while waiting, she found it to all be dirt and stone, just like the mare's chamber. Which was a bittersweet relief. Not only did it mean her family was safe, but it also meant that she was still far away from any place she could send out a message for help. She was not willing to go back to Promise, feeling she might wind up reducing it to splinters and ash instead.

She was only pony.

Having managed to clean up the mess she created when she was looking for the yellow stuff, she had taken time to sort the shelves and start cooking some healthy broth. There was not much in the way of recognizable ingredients, mainly just wild onions and garlics with what appeared to be potatoes. There was salt too, giant bags worth that she'd found hidden away in a little cubby. Almost as though the mare was hording it.

"Ponies do the strangest things," Andromeda sighed as she added a sprinkle of salt to the mixture. She had made sure to thinly dice the onions and garlic, and then scallop the potatoes, that way it would be thick and settle nicely in the stomach. Looking back at the mare, she did appear quite thin. Hunger might have attributed to her paranoid behavior.

She had wanted to take peek at the mare's cutie mark to gain some insight to a profession or talent. But restrained herself, as she seemed to prefer her privacy. Perhaps the cape was meant to cover it in the first place. Was she ashamed of her special talent?

She slowly stirred the broth with a wooden spoon, hoping it was clean, as there didn't appear to be any soap around. For the spoon, of course. She was so daft as to use soap with cast iron, that would never come out. She'd lost a good skillet that way.

Realizing her mind was wandering, Mercy shook her head and let out a sigh. "Can't I concentrate on one thing at a time when I'm not in a fight to the death?" She wanted to taste and sniff the broth to make sure it was alright, she wasn't going to skimp on it, but didn't feel like cutting a hole in her helmet again as she didn't know what other weapons Mrs. Miserables had laying around.

Speak of the devil, she was beginning to groan.

Andromeda turned to watch the strange mare begin to stir, thrashing about as though she had been caught in a net. Taking the pot off the fire, Mercy trotted to the mare's side and gently stroked her mane so as to calm her. It didn't work.

Mrs. Miserables let out a shriek as though she had been stabbed, puled away up against the wall and opened her eyes wide as if expecting to find a horrid predator. She instead found Andromeda, whom she deemed even scarier. She'd apparently had a nightmare about her as well.

"No," she cried loudly, putting out her hooves while her eyes searched for a weapon, even though she knew it would be useless, "stay back you horrid creature. I didn't mean to try and kill you... well... yes I did. But you... just die."

A thumping sensation and a dull sound caused Andromeda to look back. Apparently the unicorn had grabbed the root and fishbone... thing in her magic, and proceeding to beat her over the helmet with it. Rolling her eyes, she levitated to pot over to her side, and then promptly grabbed the mare by the shoulder and forced her to lay down. Then she propped up her shivering head with a salt bag, and proceeded to try and spoon feed her the broth.

It was relatively easy, as Mrs. Miserables mouth just hung open. The fact she just let it spill out caused Andromeda to stop after one spoonful. "Your supposed to chew and then swallow the broth, Marigold." She closed her eyes and gave another sigh at having to explain this to a grown mare.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to get you to eat something," Andromeda huffed as she brought another spoonful up the mare's face.

"Why?"

"Because you just shot yourself with a high-caliber bullet, and need rest and sustenance." Mercy spoke as if to a belligerent filly. Then she grew perplexed. "Speaking of bullets. How is it didn't pass all the way through? That was a big gun."

Mrs. Miserables tilted her eyes up and scrunched face. "I'm... hardy?" Andromeda was not convinced. "Bad powder?"

"It took a chip out of my helmet," Mercy exclaimed loudly, but still managed to keep control of the spoon, guiding it to the mare's lips. The mare cautiously took the broth into her mouth, while looking at the helmet for the mark. "Don't bother, my suit heals itself."

Mrs. Miserables gulped down the broth and looked into the strange mare's eyes. There it was again. That sensation of not wanting to harm her. Beating her helmet with the roots was because of a panic attack, and right now she couldn't bring herself to pick the roots back up to do it again. Then, as she shifted herself for a better position, she noticed something. The mare had left the pistol right next to her bedding. In plain view.

Andromeda was watching. "Yes, I left it there for you."

"Again. Why?" the mare asked, feeling a bit on edge.

"Because," Andromeda started, putting another spoonful into the mare's mouth. "it doesn't matter kind someone acts, hoe sweet they talk, or how nice they look, anypony who disarms you is not your friend."

That got Mrs. Miserables thinking. "It's been a... very long time since anypony's called me a friend. I mean, for bucking loudly in the parlor, I tried to kill you."

Mercy paused the spoon halfway to the mare's mouth, which hung open expectantly. "Would you rather I returned the favor?"

The mare immediately shut her mouth and gave her an apologetic look. "No. Not really. Absolutely not."

"Very good," Andromeda said with a cheery smile as she stuffed the spoon into the mare's mouth. "You know, your lucky. Most ponies would be rolling about in pain still. Plus the internal damages alone should have left you much weaker."

"Zebra potions," Mrs. Miserables admitted sourly, obviously displeased with having to reveal her secret. But it was apparent to her that this strange mare was not one to leave questions unanswered. Giving in was the only logical solution. "Learned it long ago from an old friend."

"Well, at least you have a useful hobby," she shrugged nonchalantly.

"Its called survival," the mare snapped back bitterly, not liking her life style being treated as being quaint.

"No need to get angry," Andromeda chided her, tapping her nose with the spoon. "I'm just making conversation. You need to relax a little, it'll help you heal."

"Relaxing gets you killed. My potions will work just fine."

"And all those ulcers, wrinkles and paranoid thoughts are just an added bonus, hmmm?"

Mrs. Miserables crossed her legs before her chest and huffed. "I can feed myself now. If you want those items, they're buried under the fire pit."

That gave Andromeda pause. "Just like that? You seemed so adamant to keep them just a while ago."

The mare rolled her eyes. "They've been naught but trouble since the first I stole them. Take them back to their master, and rid me of their curse."

"Curse?" Andromeda asked, feeling a little uneasy.

"Yeah," Mrs. Miserables said as she grabbed the spoon in her own magic and began chowing down, speaking between bites. "Ever since I swiped them, the raiders have been throwing themselves against my defenses, even getting the wildlife to do favors for them. I haven't had a full nights sleep in ages. Then, boom. You show up, and I have to use my illusion magic to -ow..."

Andromeda had cuffed her sharply over the ear. "That's for scaring me half to death with that, by the way. I thought it was a Stable... full of corpses. For crying out loud. Can't I find any find just one pony that's at least a little civilized?"

Mrs. Miserables stared at her oddly. "A Stable? Full of corpses?" Andromeda nodded. "The illusion I cast was an attracting spell, meant to put ponies at ease while they walk into a trap. You'd have to be a raider for that to attract you. What kind of sick mare are you?"

That made Mercy take a step back. "I'm not a raider."

"Well you certainly sound like one," the other mare said, taking another portion of the broth. She paused moment to let the food slosh around in her mouth. "You used some of my salt... didn't you?"

Glad for an opportune change of subject, she nodded. "I needed some added flavoring. Just plain vegetable and water, blegh. Speaking of vegetables, you should get yourself wider selection at some point. You're looking awfully thin. Perhaps a little meat to help flesh out that figure of yours. Oh, and get of this forest, that'd also do wonders for your health."

The mare gave her another odd look. "I already told you where the items are. What else do you want?"

"I want you to get healthier and live a proper life," Andromeda said as she removed levitated the burning wood from the fire pit and began digging down with the DMCs. "I won't always be around to help you every step of the way."

Mrs. Miserables was more perplexed than ever. No pony did something like this for such an absurd reason. "You're not fooling me." Andromeda paused and looked back at her. "Just so you know. Whatever it is that you're planning, what ever it is you want, I probably don't have it. What you see around this place is all I have." She gestured with a hoof to the room. "All the clutter, this gun, some extra bullets, and myself."

"Isn't there a Mr. Miserables?" Andromeda asked, going back to digging. She just couldn't get this mare to relax. The best thing would probably be to leave. Let the mare sort herself out.

Mrs. Miserables took a thoughtful sip at the spoon, watching the mare work. She sighed. "There was. Long ago... very long ago." She picked up her pistol and spun the cylinder with a far off look in her eyes. "He died."

"Any foals?"

"No," the mare snapped. A green glint appeared in her suspicious eyes. "Is that your game? You're trying to coax the whereabouts of possible children?"

Andromeda remained calm, tentatively working. "I'm sorry you're so paranoid. Also, I'm sorry you never got to experience the joy of having a foal or two. I have a little earth pony filly, Tundra, quite a ragamuffin. And, a unicorn colt, Dawn, who I just barely finished weaning right before I... had to leave. Oh, how I miss them. Ah, here we go."

She quickly pulled out a chest and then cropped the fire back into the pit. Wanting to make sure it what she was sent to retrieve, as having to come back would be a chore, she cut the lock and opened the box. The sound of her slamming the lid shut echoed throughout the cave. She scooted back a short distance and took several deep breaths. "What... is... that?"

"A dark dream that still dreams," Mrs. Miserables commented as she observed her reactive curiously. Only somepony with a truly good heart could be repulsed so violently. There was that question again. "Who are you? Where are you from?"

Andromeda steeled herself and picked up the chest in her magic and turned towards the exit. "I am Mercy Andromeda, and I'm on a mission to save a couple of teenagers." Then she added for a the sake of mystery: "I'm from on high." And with that, she left.

Mrs. Miserables contemplated this for a minute, and then sighed wearily. "I suppose I'll have to get some answers the hard way."


*	*	*


The black unicorn, Spell Nexus, watched from afar as the strange mare returned, bearing the chest in her magic. He had not left his spot on the shore since their previous meeting, and had fasted the entire day in preparation for the moments to come. Now, as evening began to tear away the day, he broke into a smile, displaying pearly white teeth. "So, the time has come at long last."

Turning, he found four of his marauders keeping watch of the bedraggled teens. He gave a nod to one of the guards, who then ran off to tell the whole village. Tonight was the night.

Spell Nexus made sure to be the first to greet the mare and take the chest from her. Peering inside, her smiled triumphantly. "You have done well. You must be a very a strong mare to have beaten that witch."

Andromeda decided to take the compliment and not mention anything about Mrs. Miserables. She smiled and nodded, then moved towards the teenagers. "You'll let us all go now, right?"

"Not just yet."

Andromeda whirled around and glared at him with eyes full of wrath. "We had a deal. I bring you your precious toys, and we get to leave."

"Things have changed a little," Spell Nexus said, pushing past her towards the canyon. "Just while longer. We have something special planned."

"If it involves bones I don't want any part of it," Andromeda muttered bitterly, eyeing the guards who pushed their spears against the teen's necks. She was seething inside, angry at having been duped. Then a large bag was dropped over her head and she was grabbed from both sides by unseen ponies to be dragged off, kicking and cursing into the canyon.

---STRESS DETECTED---ADMINISTERING TESTOSTERONE---

"Oh buck off, Peppy."


*	*	*


A figure wove through the amassing marauders, unseen to their untrained eyes, observing the preparations of the ritual. A metal pedestal was set between the two cliffs, and upon it was a wooden bowl. Other bowls stood about on pedestals, being filled with powder, which was then soaked with oils from earthen jars. Not just on the ground, other bowls were being suspended above as well by metal cables, being positioned perfectly so as not to align with the ones below.

The bones were being cleared away from the ground, and several mares were painting lines and runes between the evenly spaced pedestals. The paint they used was a sickly red oil, one part vegetable, two parts animal. They carried about their meticulous task, all the while, their eyes becoming like Spell Nexus', turquoise and serpentine.

None of the marauders were immune to the exciting magic that hummed in the air. Even the foals were quiet and orderly. No pony thought this was odd, save for the observer, who zipped along with ease, untouched by the constant movements of the crowd.

She paused a moment to watch the black unicorn carry the chest to the center pedestal and set it upon the ground. Then she watched as he reverently began to lift the items from the chest out, one-by-one, and deposited them into the bowl in a ceremonial fashion. He carried on until he came to the last item. which he pulled out and set let it hover above his head for a brief moment.

It was a helmet, battled and old, made of blue metal. It appeared to have been broken in an ancient fight, and but perhaps there was a bigger story to it then that. The observer knew, and knew everypony else in the canyon did as well. All except that one naïve mare who was currently arguing with some unseen pony named Peppy.

The observer made her way up a wooden staircase to the upper portion of the canyon. Then made her silent way to the bridge closest to the ritual sight, crossing over to the middle, where she crouched down and watched the events unfold, waiting for the moment to strike.

She also noted the two young ponies being forced along at spear point. They couldn't have been marauders. The dyes they wore were no where near as dark, and the tattoos were missing. Perhaps she had heard wrong.

In that brief moment the observer had looked at the teenagers, she didn't notice the black unicorn turn his eyes towards her and give a smile, before quickly turning his eyes back to his work. With one last glance at the helmet, he settled it gently upon the black shards that rested in the bowl and bowed respectfully.

"Tonight, marks the final evening after the final dawn. My queen, grant us this boon, that we may fulfill your glory and rid ourselves of these problems that plague us. Let there be no more unnecessary delays to your awakening. For this night, let the blood of your enemies be laid out for all to see. Grant us your glory, that we might serve you in the dark kingdom of the infinite night."

With that, Spell Nexus turned to prepare a few more things.


*	*	*


---SUBJECT: SPACE CAPTAIN ANDROMEDA---OBSCURED---UNABLE TO ASSESS CIRCUMSTANCES---READYING ELDRITCH CANNON 003---ELDRITCH CANNON 003 STATUS: 100%---CHARGES TWO OF FOUR HUNDRED READY---TWO CHARGES ON STANDBY---BLIND FAITH PROTOCOL ENACTED---CHANCES OF CORRECT CHOICES: 67%---RISK PARAMETERS: ACCEPTABLE---

The eldritch cannon swiveled so that it was pointing towards the canyon. The thermal lens detecting ponies at work, but none of them were bearing the Captain's signal. If something happened, the ship's mainframe would have to choose a side to fight for to keep Andromeda safe. There only a 33% chance it might choose the wrong side. But desperate times called for desperate measures.
> Chapter Eleven: Lead and Lightning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Being blind and surrounded by insane ponies was not what something Andromeda had experienced before. Nor did she ever want to do so again. But, apparently, it was unavoidable. The bag over her head and the ropes being tied around her legs were a testament to this fact.

She wasn't so much as accepting her fate, as she was just trying to keep the locals calm by not fighting back. It wasn't her best idea, she knew, but it was all she had at the moment. Still not entirely sure what was going on, she tried to remain as calm as possible, keeping up a stoic façade beneath the bag that seemed to unsettle her captures. Peppy wasn't fooled one bit, ensuring that male hormones were still making her hind legs a little wobbly.

The two teenagers were corralled into a wooden cage on the outside of the marauders' transmutation circle. The cage had wooden spikes pointing inwards to discourage an escape attempts. The still rotting remains of the last prisoner testified to the effectiveness of the design. Without much comfort between them, they simply embraced each other, loosely so as to avoid their own metal spikes. The unicorn buried her cheek into the earth pony stallion's neck, choking back sobs as they looked out at mare who had shown them a light.

It impressed them, her calmness, the way she was carrying her self between the large earth pony guards that Nexus had ordered to hold her. Though she seemed to be moving a little stiffly in the hind legs. But that could just have been fatigue. She had been on the move ever since they met, and it impressed them that she hadn't passed out yet. Then again, in the company of murderers and rapists, it was probably pure willpower.

Thinking on this, the two teenagers found themselves feeling quite defiled. Before this mare showed up, they had thought the stronger marauders pleasuring themselves to their younger bodies was a normal event that ever pony did. This also brought up their own personal shame. Crimes committed that no pony else must ever know. They lightly dug their spikes into each other, ignoring the pain whilst trying to reassure each other.

The observer hunkered down on the bridge, watching as some of the marauders rounded up the entranced foals to heard them out of the canyon and away. Whatever was going on, they didn't trust the trance to hold the foals in place. There an ominous click as a revolver's hammer was pulled back in readiness. She tipped her odd headwear back a bit to make it a little more comfortable. This was not something she had thought out overly well, coming here in the middle of the night to help a bunch of ponies she didn't even know. What was she thinking?

While this was going on, a unicorn ascended to the top of the canyon with a rifle levitating beside him. He moved to an overhanging ledge of the cliff and laid down, brushing aside a scrimshawed femur, bringing up the rifle to look down the crudely made sights at his target. A rather strange target. One that should have been easy to spot, but no pony could seem to keep their eyes trained on her, at all. Even now, as he began to take stock of the range and wind, his mind was telling him that she was unimportant, and didn't need his attention. But Spell Nexus' orders overwrote everything else. He took a deep breath and promptly died.

A green, archaic circle of magic slowly faded from around where the stallion had been laying, his throat slit open. A green aura wrapped around the rifle, and pulled it smoothly into the circle.

The observer watched as the rifle slipped out of the small portal she had made. Her small knife still levitating beside her, a few drops of blood dripping down onto the wooden slats. She inspected the rifle carefully and shrugged as she slipped it beneath her cape. Then she wiped the blade clean on the ropes that held the bridge together.

"At least I was thinking somewhat ahead," Mrs. Miserables muttered to herself, pulling away from the edge of the bridge after dropping a scrimshawed femur, and looking for a hiding place. It was better to disappear and let them all think their sniper had done his job, and then strike when the iron became too heated. She spotted a nearby cave and slipped inside without running into anypony.

Once inside the cave, she made sure there was no pony around and deactivated her overlook spell. She slunk to a corner of the cave and promptly covered herself with ratty hides to keep out of sight. Then, she closed her eyes and concentrated.

The femur on the bridge glowed faintly, and with a tiny, almost indiscernible hum. In her mind she watched as the darkness melted away and all the ponies in the canyon were illuminated as green silhouettes walking in the inky black. She quickly located the strange mare and the two captured teenagers. She watched them for a moment and then turned back to watch as the unicorns and earth ponies began take up places about the transmutation circle. She concentrated her attention upon the one she easily recognized as the black unicorn.

His silhouette was different, shimmering and unfocused. Looking at him in her mind was like peering through the lens of an unfocused telescope. Almost as thought she were looking at two different ponies, one tall, and one average, occupying the same point in space. It made her wonder.

Nexus watched as the final preparations for the ceremony quickly finished. All the bowls were set, all the mixtures ready, and all the lines drawn. Then he watched as six earth ponies bearing torches strode out of a cave and stood nearby the bowls on the outer edge of the circle, and behind them stood six unicorns, and there they waited.

With a smile, he turned towards the strange mare, pulling out one of his special knives.

Finding herself being allowed to sit, Andromeda did just that, that guards were bit rough, but at least they weren't making threats towards her or anything. In fact, other than the sound of hooves moving about and the occasional scraping of stone and clatter of bones, it was unsettlingly quiet. What was also unsettling was the odd tingling sensation in her horn as some strange form of magic clung to the air like static. It was almost intimidating, amplified by the fact she couldn't see anything.

"Does anypony else, particularly a unicorn, feel that?" she asked. No one answered, to which she shrugged. "I suppose a prisoner doesn't get much... yowch." Something sharp had slashed across her left shoulder, making her grit her teeth as she repressed a second, louder screech. "What was that for?" she asked through her clenched jowls.

"Just your final contribution to the marauders," Spell Nexus answered loosely. He looked at the blade of the knife, seeing the blood that covered it, and smiled. He levitated it beside him and started back tot he bowl, all the while not noticing that the blood had a pinkish tint to it.

"Uh," Andromeda began, clearing her throat to make sure she got his attention. She heard him stop. "You will keep your word, right? You'll let me, and the two teenagers go... right? You know, alive? No loopholes? No..."

"Yes, yes," the stallion sighed, rolling his eyes. "Killing you wouldn't be necessary. Besides, when our queen returns, we'll be a bit busy to be bothered with executions." He turned his glare upon the teenagers, who cringed and held each other tighter, drawing blood now. "No matter how much they deserve it."

"Glad to hear," Andromeda said, feeling the pain in his her shoulder start to fade. One of the guards cuffed her helmet to let her know it was time to stop talking. Like a good little prisoner, she closed her mouth and waited, wondering what was going on.

Spell nexus approached the bowl and laid the knife beside the helmet, bowing. "My queen, I bring you the blood of powerful unicorn, may she bind with you and give haste to your power's return. With this mortal's essence, take form and let this be the final sunset. Your servants await your grace. Touch us now, oh Queen of the Night."

With that, he rose back up and ignited the contents of the bowl with a fire spell. Then the six bowls of the ground were lit by the earth ponies, and the six in the air lit by the unicorns.

The shards burst into flame almost instantly, and Nexus quickly retreated to the edge of the circle to join his fellow unicorns. There, they all began to twist and form the magic in the air, working it like potters with clay. They shaped the free magic, molded it, and began to force it down into the bowl that contained the shreds of Nightmare Moon.

And, after a few anxious moments, Nexus saw what he had hoped for. The blood soaked knife started to float above the fire, cradled by the energies of the spell. The blood was drawn up from the blade and formed into a single pink-tinted crimson sphere. The knife itself was then launched clear of the spell with such force that its polished blade dug deep into the walls that overshadowed the ritual. 

Then, with the knife gone and the blood remaining, black smoke began to billow from the central bowl. The mysterious shards starting to burn, and the smoke they released formed around the large drop of blood. The fires, smoke, and magic from the wooden bowls set around the spell were drawn in as well. Everything was swirling and orbiting the spell’s focal point, being drawn in like water in a whirlpool.

The drop of blood became encased in a black sphere, and that black sphere began to slowly grow. It drew in the fire and smoke and everything else, growing larger with each passing moment.

“Yes… it is working my brothers and sisters,” Nexus called out. “She is beginning to take shape. Our queen shall soon be—”

BAM

A green lightning bolt came out of nowhere and struck the center of the magic, blasting it free of the ritual. The magic hit the cage holding the teenagers, baring missing them, and then glanced off the canyon wall and then rolled out of the canyon towards the lake. In that instant, as everpony was jumping from shock, another bolt came out of nowhere and struck Spell Nexus, throwing him backwards, smacking into Andromeda, who was shrieking in fear at the loud, unknown noise, and now felt as though somepony was attacking her. She quickly used her DMCs to shred the bag over her head and see what was going on.

Finding the black unicorn on top of her, she screamed again and kicked him off, the earth pony talismans allowing her to send him across the canyon. She scrambled to her hooves and started shrieking furiously. "You maniacs. You bucking piles of manure and seagull bilge. You said you weren't going to hurt us." Then her face became still, as though she were completely calm. "I... am... mad."

The marauders were confused, and leaderless, looking about to figure out what had just happened. They just didn't have enough time. Shots started going off and they were beginning to drop allover the place. The teenagers immediately pounced the two closest marauders, slicing them apart with their spikes, and then took their guns. As for Andromeda, she was shaping the DMCs into a large wheel, all the while allowing the marauders to shoot her.

"Let me show you a little trick," she said softly as she started the wheel spinning at a rapid pace. "You want to pick a bone with an angry dog? Then let me bury you."

She slammed the wheel into the ground, sending up a cascade of dirt and rock that she wove from side-to-side in order to strike as many of the nearest ponies as possible. She only stopped when she noticed the teenagers ducking behind a large rock, empty weapons cast aside as they tried to keep alive. Andromeda then turned back to the quickly rallying Marauders, who were arming themselves and firing wildly, they still hadn't exactly figured out who was attacking. To Andromeda, it would have all looked silly, if she wasn't so angry.

She leapt over to where the teenagers were and gave them a smile. "Come on, no need to cringe like little foals. Follow me. I'll protect you."

She quickly formed the DMCs into a wall on either side of her for them to stand behind. She used her own magic to gather up a rifle one pony had dropped, and turned it towards the milling savages. She pressed forward at a steady pace, collecting two more guns and passing them to the teenagers, who quickly began to return fire with her.

---WARNING---MAINTAIN SANITY---

Mercy didn't even see the pipbuck's advice, a form of hyper vision had set in, pulling her into the moment like a moth to flame. She even began laughing as she pulled the trigger over and over again until their were no more bullets. She merely tossed it aside and grabbed another one. "Buck you. Buck you. Buck you. Buck you. And buck you too. Your bullets are useless. Drop deeeaad."

KA-BOOM

One of the marauders had managed to make to their explosives cache, dynamite looted from certain caravans, lit it up and had thrown it in Andormeda's general direction. He was never considered a good throw by anypony's standards. It instead blew up one of the bridges. Also obliterating the scrimshawed femur.

Mrs. Miserables cursed as she rose up out of the hides and looked at her rifle. Destroying the femur had collapsed her portal, cutting the rifle clean in half. "It was out anyway," she muttered as she tossed it aside. "I guess it's time to show a bit of style." She pulled out the revolver and twirled it around a few times with a grin. "Why am I hear? Alas, there is no answer I know of."

She slipped outside and quickly shot a marauder that was running along the ledge, shooting down at the mare and teenagers. His headless corpse fell of the edge and landed atop of a few ponies that were using the remains of the bridge for cover. This made tham look up.

"Up there, they've got a friend."

"Shoot her. Shoot her."

Mrs. Miserables pulled back from the edge as several guns turned towards her. She used her cape to shield herself from the dust and gravel that flew everywhere. "You dare shoot at me? Well... I don't blame you. Nor shall I forgive you."

With a low growl, she rushed towards the edge and leapt out into open space, grinning maniacally. It was a rather long drop down, a unicorn should have broken her legs upon impact. Fortunately, she was more than she seemed.

Surprised shouts rang out as she spread two great wings, half gossamer, half yellow feathers with purple tips. She fanned the revolvers hammer to scatter the marauders so she could have a relatively safe landing. As soon as her hooves touched the ground, she folded her wings back under her cape and grinned at the stunned audience. She tipped her traffic cone to them and grinned.

"Greetings," she called out enthusiastically as she reloaded her revolver, "I Mrs. Marigold Miserables have arrived to get this party started. Please, remember your places and die on queue."

"Huh, I didn't know you wanted to help," Andromeda said, stopping a moment in stunned amazement at the mare. Pintsize wasn't paying close attention and bumped into the DMC wall.

"Neither did I," Mrs. Miserables said with a shrug. "You're just a strange mare, whatever-you-call-yourself. I hate an unsolved mystery."

"Talk later," Andromeda said, grabbed a rock in her magic and hurling it towards a marauder. Her aim was just as bad as the pony with the dynamite. Speaking of whom, there was a large explosion as he accidently blew himself up. Though not before casing a couple minor rock slides and two cave-ins, as well as a crater from when Andromeda had had to shift the DMCs to cover a keg that had landed just a few feet from her. It had knocked her and the teenagers back a few paces, but they were none the worse for wear.

The Marauders quickly got over the initial shock, and started doing what they did best. The cross fire was almost more deadly to each other than the intruders. It wasn't until their more skilled members arrived on the scene, having been stationed at a distance to act as guards for the ritual, that they actually regained some form of coordination.

The spike-studded legs of the  Marauders' dark assassins moved swift and silent, their very presence inspiring their brethren to shape up and follow them in a more tactile formation. One of the assassins stepped right in the center of Andromeda's vision. A scarred, old unicorn, camouflaged like a tree stump. He grinned at her with his chipped teeth.

"We meet again sugar titties," she hissed crassly.

Andromeda smiled right back, narrowing her eyes dangerously. She wanted him dead more than all the others. "I've always been more of a starch-and-fat filly. But, I'll take the compliments where I can get them."

---WARNING---MAINTAIN SANITY---

"Well, now you're going to be a scorch-and-flat filly," the unicorn returned as he levitated up four very familiar pistols. He waggled his eyebrows tauntingly.

Andromeda wasn't going for it, determined to keep the shield up around the teenagers. She chuckled at him and rolled her eyes. "If you had half a knob, you'd already have reduced me to ashes."

The stallion took a step back in agitation. He was pointing guns at her that could destroy trees, and she wasn't even batting an eye. "Enough of this. Just die you bitch." He pulled all four triggers at once. Nothing happened. He tried again-and-again, cursing all the while.

In fact, he was so focused on the simple task that he failed to notice the mare stride right up to him. The next thing he knew he was looking straight into the hate-filled eyes of Space Captain Andromeda. "What is this? What have you done to my pistols?"

"They're not your pistols," Andromeda said through her teeth as she generated a lasso and caught him around the throat. "They're mine. Designed specifically so that, in case I got bored, I could look at them without fear of blowing myself up. They cannot destroy Ministry property." Her voice lowered a whisper that only the choking stallion could hear. "That includes me."

The stallion let go of the pistols, which Andromeda quickly passed to Pintsize and Cold, and collapsed to the ground, grabbing at his throat beneath the gaze of the mare. Mercy, was not a cruel pony, she had seen enough suffering those past few days to not wish such aguish upon anypony. Even if they deserved. She raised both of her front hooves and brought them down upon the stallion's skull, driving it into the ground. She blew some of her mane out of her face and stepped over his corpse.

"You should have made him suffer," Cold said as she kicked the corpse. Pintsize nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. He killed my sister, you should have made him beg for death," he shouted, visibly angry. He suddenly found himself withering under Andromeda's reproachful gaze.

Mercy let her expression talk, turning it on the young mare as well, causing her to cringe and shiver. She didn't need words to tell them she was disgusted by what they had suggested.

"We'll discuss this later," she said as took to of the pistols and searched looked for a shot. But the Marauders were taking cover in the caves. There were also using the cave network to try and get behind their attackers, forcing Andromeda to change the shape of her DMCs to better protect the teenagers. "Oh, this isn't good."

Mrs. Miserables wasn't fairing too well either. She was out of ammo, and was having to scavenge weapons from the dead. When one emptied, she simply grabbed another as Andromeda had done. Some of the weapon had already been unloaded in her direction, but they were still good to throw with, the resulting cries she heard gave her a sense of satisfaction. But she had still taken a couple bullets in flank. Thankfully, they were nowhere as powerful as her revolver.

She cut along the edge of a canyon, drawing fire from several Marauders, and then right past a cave mouth where more Marauders hid. These monsters were tolerant of friendly fire. She spread her wings and flew up to a ledge and ducked into a cave. Several Marauders followed. A big mistake. There was a cracking sound, and then some terrified screams. Then all became silent.

A blood smeared mare came out laughing a few moments later, four rifles levitating in front of her. She opened fire from above on the Marauders that were trying to hide behind cover below. It was almost like shooting fish in a barrel. Which she had found to be an amusing pastime once or twice before in her life. Then one of barricades exploded.

Then the entire ground seemed like it was exploding. She looked for the source and found the strange mare and her wards using some strange weapons against the savages. "Stranger and stranger," she muttered. She quickly saw a different potential for those guns. She finished firing off the bullets and took off from the ledge, making a straight line for the three ponies.

"You're an alicorn?" Andromeda asked in bewilderment as the mare landed in front of her.

Mrs. Miserables rolled her eyes. "No time. Direct your fire at the caves and canyon walls. Bring it down on their heads."

"What about the foals?" Andromeda asked. She hadn't seen them being herded away.

"There gone," Mrs. Miserables said. She grunted as another bullet hit her shoulder. "Just do as a I say. Let's bring this madhouse down... once and for all. Before I lose more blood."

Andromeda gave her an irritated look. "Then don't just stand there, get behind me." She grabbed the mare in her magic and lifted her up and over, setting her on Cold's side of the magic wall. "You heard her, you two. Start blasting away."

Rocks and gravel flew in all directions, and Marauders suddenly found themselves without any safe havens. The blasts were powerful enough to cause large cracks, but no landslides like they were hoping for. The canyons were full of granite, a tough stone that bonded easily with its self, able to take excessive stress. But that didn't keep chunks from breaking off. It had actually gotten bad enough that Andromeda had to pull walls in tighter to form a dome to keep them all safe from flying debris.

"This is good," she said just before a large chunk of stone glance off her helmet, creating a large scratch. "But I'm a little worried about being buried alive."

"Would you rather be carved apart?" Mrs. Miserables asked her in agitation.

"Maybe we should start leaving," Mercy suggested.

Mrs. Miserables shook her head. "Not a chance. We'll never another shot like this if we leave now."

"Do you expect us to being down the entire canyon?"

Mrs. Miserables rolled her eyes at Andromeda's question. "I just need to weaken it. I'll be bringing it down." She didn't wait for the inevitable questions the strange mare would ask, and instead slipped out underneath the dome and took to the air, heading for one side of the canyon, hooves outstretched.

Andromeda quickly directed the teenagers to shoot the wall that Mrs. Miserables was heading for. "Lend her hoof. But by all that's holy, don't shoot her. I would never forgive myself."

Mrs. Miserables tilted the traffic cone forward to shield her eyes from the flying gravel that flew everywhere. The bottoms of her hooves lit up in a display of green archaic symbols and mathematical shapes, which began to spread up her legs and over her body to her tail, and up her neck the tip of her horn. Her wings began to radiate energy like the sparrow she had possessed all those hours ago, and her eyes became like green orbs. Then, with a shout, she pulled her wings in and began plummeting towards the ground.

Andromeda saw this and gasped. "What's she doing? If she does that, she'll bury herself alive. Pull up you stupid filly. Pull up now."

Mrs. Miserables could hear nothing but the sound of her own heart. With a grin, she took in breath of air and held it until she landed on the ground, hooves first. She released the breath in a single word.

"Diiiiieee"

The ground split apart about her hooves, and the cracks ran up to the sides of the canyon to grab hold of the cracks made by the energy pistols. Green light filled the cracks, quickly glowing brighter, until there was a sound like a thunder storm. Both sides of the canyon leapt out at each other, crashed and crumbled, then fell like hailstones from the heavens. Andromeda pulled back inside the dome, grabbing the two teenagers, shielding them with her body. She closed her eyes and screamed as she heard the great noise of the descending walls.

What remained of the canyon was little more than a large dip in the landscape now. And the dust cloud rose up high into the sky, where it would be seen for miles for the next few days. Everything became silent now. Only the wind in the trees, or the waves on the lake made any noise. Then there came the crying of a young, scared filly.
> Chapter Twelve: Mareusalem Salts
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Short Wave had been dreaming about what many young, single stallions dreamt of. Mares. He wouldn't have been ashamed to admit it either. His grandma always said that dreams were half a prophecy, and his grandfather kept dragging him out of bed in the morning. These contradictions of philosophy confused him to no end. But what was even more confusing was that he found himself waking up of his own accord and being dragged behind his grandfather.

The Commissar had, during the night, attached the cape to the back of his power armor, laid his grandson atop of it, after wrapping him in some blankets, and simply begun walking across the dunes. The armor was powered up and he had his visor up as he marched steadily onwards. The moonlight reflected off of the polish, showing a couple blackened marks that were not there just a few hours ago.

"W-what's going on?" the earth pony asked, trying to sit up, but found himself incredibly weak.

The old zebra didn't stop moving, but cast a backwards glance at the buck. "We're moving."

Short Waver sighed and tried to wiggle out a bit of blanket that bunched up under his side. "I can see that. I want to know... why?"

"Coal worms," the old zebra stated simply. He turned back to the empty wasteland ahead, following a particular star. "Coal worms?" he heard his grandson ask. He explained simply. "Nocturnal desert beasts the size of one of my legs, devour minerals to form thick, black shells about their frail bodies. Coal. They have mouths full of teeth and consider anything that wanders into their territory to be a fair meal."

"What happened to your armor?" Short Wave indicated the black marks.

The Commissar grunted and picked up his pace a bit when he started to hear a noise. "The coal that surrounds them in fragile, and breaks off when they strike. They try and use this to blind their prey, making the face a favored striking point. Luckily, I was ready for them."

Short Wave felt uneasy and angry at the same time. "So we've been marching through this plot-blistering sand, and you never told me there were flesh-eating monsters under our hooves the whole time?" The zebra chuckled.

"You had nothing to worry about," he said as he flicked his ears at the noise's increasing volume. "They're ambush predators that go for the bigger threat first. Namely, me. That is why I was having us move so much during the day, to discourage them from trying to set up an ambush at night. After all... it's not hard to outrun worms."

Short Wave was still confused. "Well... if we've been moving so much, then how did they catch up to us?" The answer dawned on him even before he finished speaking. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Approximately twenty-three hours and eleven minutes," was the collected reply. You are very lucky. You were close to suffering heatstroke. Your mother would have killed me. Then, after she finished me off, your grandmother would raise me from the dead, somehow, and kill me all over again. They might even give the rest of the family a few turns."

Short Wave rolled his eyes. "Don't be so overdramatic. That's mom's job."

"Careful what you say," the old zebra warned him in a low tone. "If she's anything like my mother, she may just be over the next dune with a wooden paddle. Then again, that was because I left my radio on. Do you know how humiliating it is to be sergeant of an entire squad, and then find yourself over your mother's knee as she spanks your plot?"

"I thought zebras liked that," Short Wave muttered. He threw his hooves over his mouth and gasped sharply as he realized what he just said.

"You're too weak to punish physically for that racist slip," his grandfather assured him. "The fact that I coal worm almost bit off your face while I had to relieve myself should be punishment enough." He suppressed a hearty chuckle as he heard his grandson begin to thrash about, weakly, in an attempt to make sure he had all his important parts.

As they breasted the hill, the Commissar paused and just looked ahead. Lights. Lots and lots of light. A city lay just up ahead. The sound he had been hearing was that of some sort of machinery going on in that place. The heads-up display inside his helmet told him it was called Mareusalem. He gave a great sigh of relief at the sight of the great city rising above the sands. A sense of pride filled him as he looked on at the grand city.

"Stop squirming and hold on," the zebra said as he started forward again. His pace was much quicker this time, almost a full gallop, Short Wave held onto the cape with his hooves and teeth for all he was worth.


*	*	*


A couple equine figures stood atop of a large sandstone arch, some of which was ancient, and some of which was quite new, freshly laid even, looking out past the battlements hooves resting upon large machineguns. These two wore the same magenta power armor as the Commissar, minus that gold imagery and capes, instead a crest of owl feathers ran flush out the back of their helmets. They swept the stationary guns around the horizon, HUDs analyzing the terrain. A great wind picked up from inside the city, blowing dust outside in a great cloud.

"Another dull night," the one on the right muttered, a deep male voice resonating from within his suit. "At this point, I would volunteer to hunt coal worms. It would pay better too."

His partner chuckled, an equally deep voice. "But that would require leg work. Unless you want to join a different unit, I'm staying right here."

"You always were a lazy one," the first said as he tilted the barrel of his machinegun upwards in boredom. "Your mother still thinks you're lying to her in your letters about passing basic training." That got another chuckle out of his friend. "To be fair, I still think you hired a double."

"With all the caps laying about in this city? I'm lucky to afford cheese in Tuesdays. Speaking of caps... you wouldn't happen to have some you could spare, do you?"

"I'm not feeding your tail chasing again, Numbskull," the first one sighed regretfully. "Three of those mares had to be hospitalized."

Numbskull made a rolling motion with his head and chuckled. "It's not my fault they couldn't handle my endowment, Bayonet."

Bayonet growled furiously and raised a hoof as though to strike his partner. "Think above the belt for once you..."

"Shadow," Numbskull suddenly cried out, bending his head down flush with the gun and aiming at something. Bayonet did the same. They watched as a dark shape made its way into the fringe of the lamps set up about the arch. Bayonet used a back hoof to kick a small lever at his side.

A green flare shot out of a small tube attached near the top of his armor, one reason he didn't have a cape. "Halt. One more step and we'll shoot."

The figure didn't stop, and they didn't shoot. For, in the light of the flare they saw power armor, and with a zoom feature on their HUDs, they saw the title on the helmet. They kept the guns trained on him as he approached, stopping just beneath the archway. "I am Commissar Delta Forerunner, of her grace's Shield Bearers. I am under orders to see General Scorpion. Let me pass through, lest I turn back and report to her grace."

Numbskull saluted. "Up load your signature to our registry, sir. We are under orders ourselves."

The Commissar nodded in understanding. He held up a hoof, the armor split open to reveal an archaic tattoo, which glowed with a dim radiation. The two guards' zoom features scanned and analyzed it. A blue bar flashed on their screens.

Numbskull turned to alert the gatekeeper. Bayonet saluted the Commissar as he unfolded his helmet as a sign of trust and respect, the owl feather becoming like a collar, he was a brown earth pony with a golden mane. "You're confirmed inside our registry, sir. Forgive us for the delay, I implore you, sir."

Delta shook his head. "No need. Any who do not confirm their alliances should be shot on sight."

"Shall I have the general alerted to your arrival, sir?"

"By all means, soldier. Oh, and tell him I may be late. My grandson, whom I have brought with me, is ill, and needs attention."

Bayonet nodded and waited for Numbskull to come back so he could send him about this business. He wanted to ask more questions, but he didn't want to aggravate a Shield Bearer. Especially when his grandson was apparently sick.

The gate of Mareusalem was a thick wooden box of ancient oak, stuffed with sandstone bricks with metal reinforcement for holding out siege weapons. The process of opening it involved hydraulically lifting it up out of a trough in the ground, and then a heavy bar-winch pulled it back on giant cylindrical bearings allowing those who sought entrance to pass through around the sides. It also made enemy charges through the front suicide as troops would be forced to pass through narrow paths that could be covered by a single stationary gun.

For safety's sake, there were four stationary guns on each side, as the Commissar saw while passing through.

A medical tent lay just beyond the gate, an unfortunate necessity in the unforgiving desert. And upon seeing the earth pony being dragged behind the soldier, a stretcher was immediately brought out, borne by two griffons in white medical suits. Delta instructed them to keep him informed of any issues, then promptly left his supplies there as well, dusted off his, after dusting it off, and began his march deeper into the city.

The cracked asphalt was familiar beneath the old zebra's hooves, urging him to power down his armor to relive a brief moment of nostalgia. But he pressed on, not wanting to leave the general hanging. That didn't stop him from looking about at the familiar sights, though.

Neon signs of taverns and shops, selling everything from food and water to guns and armor. Some signs were unfamiliar, to him, namely: Chipper's Metalwork, Punch's Oasis, Cole Wyrcs, and Absentia. He wasn't so sure about that last one, the name was pretty vague and there didn't appear to be display of it's wares. Perhaps it would be worth looking into if he had time. He looked about a bit more in search of a specific sign, one that he had only seen on the side of a delivery cart. But, alas, he could not find it, and carried on his way.

"That sweet mare had better still be alive," he muttered to himself.

The further into the city, to tighter together the buildings became, and the louder that noise grew. He kept his helmet up to keep from being blinded by the blasts of wind and sand. The city was also heavily patrolled by soldiers in both power armor and cloth uniforms, including civilian volunteers that kept watch from the shadows. It was rather annoying as everypony he came across had to salute him, sometimes blocking his way, but he didn't complain.

When he finally reached his destination, one Numbskull passed him, huffing laboriously, even with power armor active, after delivering the message. Fortunately for Numbskull, Delta didn't know he was the one who delivered the message, or else he might have recommended a few weeks intensive training.

Ahead of him was a tall building, from which that great noise came from, vents about its base blasted out the winds, driving the sands away as a defense system for the city, keeping their enemies blind. A large set of glass doors was set at the top of a short staircase, and above the doors read: SANDHERDROAM. Delta walked up the stairs, paused a moment to dust the sand off himself, and pushed throught he doors.


*	*	*


Short Wave didn't know if he felt all that sick or not. But when a very pretty young mare in a nurses uniform asked him if he needed any aspirin, he found himself unable to say no. She was sweet, a tan unicorn with freckles and a candy-striped mane, and she had the softest hooves the young stallion had ever felt, as she rubbed out the kinks in his muscles to make sure he was relaxed before the other doctors examined him. She spoke reassuringly, and commented on his bravery for having crossed the desert. Again, he didn't have the heart to tell her otherwise.

"My," she said as she rubbing his forehooves, "what great callouses you have. Crossing the desert without any shoes, what an incredible feat. You must have a great tolerance for pain. And, don't you have a hat? Don't tell me... you're too macho of a stallion to be bothered with such things. You laugh at the sun's rays, beating against your scalp."

Short Wave just smiled and nodded as he mentally beat himself senseless for not bringing shoes and a hat. "Well, you know, some bucks will bow to nature, and others just want to tell nature to buck off. But, she can be a vengeful little bitch every now and again."

The mare covered her mouth with a hoof as she giggled. "Ah, this is true. Just like Mareusalem, no matter how much sand we blast out, there is always more."

They both chuckled at this.

"I'm Short Wave, by the way," Short Wave said, pulling his hooves closer to himself to bring her in closer. She didn't seem to resist. "I was actually born here in Mareusalem. Can you tell me your name?"

"I am Sham," the unicorn said, beaming a proud smile, great-great-great-great-great-great-great granddaughter of Flim the inventor. He's greatly credited for he and his brother's work in Gallopoli."

"Yeah, where the Blue Stripes promptly have now taken over, turning all that work against us," said snide-looking zebra mare, balancing a tray of medical equipment on her back.

Short Wave saw that the unicorn almost wanted to cry. "Hey. Are you okay?"

"No," was the blunt reply.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Do not bother," the zebra told him as she set the tray down and took out a stethoscope. "She'll just preach on about how her family was so misunderstood and..."

"Aaaahhh."

Short Wave cringed at the sound of the young mare's shrill cry as she got up and rushed from the tent sobbing. He glared at the zebra. "The buck was that for?"

She rolled her eyes as she placed the end of the stethoscope against his chest and listened. "Because she a preachy little harlot who's family history is riddled with thieves and conponies, who she keeps on insisting were just misunderstood entrepreneurs. At least her sister, Shim, is more a honest harlot about it. Last I heard she had been hospitalized due to having a small foal chute."

Short Wave was confused by that last part, and it showed on his face. The mare groaned in annoyance at his ignorance. "Some stallion with a overly large phallus stretched her undersized birth canal too far. Does that make it any clearer?"

Short Wave turned a shade of red at the realization. The zebra rolled her eyes at his naivety. "Did your mother teach you nothing?"

"How to be respectful and courteous," Short Wave said proudly.

"Oh," the mare raised an eyebrow. "And how many mares has that gotten you?"

"Sex isn't everything in this world, you know," Short Wave shot back. He grumbled as she laughed at him and continued her examination.


*	*	*


The Sandherdroam was a spacious building inside, full of ponies, zebras, and griffons, all going about business. The floor was covered in a purple carpet and the walls were a simple dirty white, and had soundproofing spells on them to keep to the noise of the machines. There were constant shouts as one pony wanted to talk to some zebra about a griffon's proposition. Or any combination thereof. It was like some terrible cacophony of cats during estrus.

Delta had stopped in the center of the lobby to look at a fountain he had not seen it before. It was made of brass with copper highlighting, depicting a soldier in power armor running a sword through an Enclave soldier, while a zebra mare in a nurse uniform with a pistol stood behind him, protectively standing over a frightened unicorn filly and earth pony colt. The water ran down over the metal statue like a film, giving it an illusion of life. A gold plaque was placed on the outer rim of the fountain's base.

In memory of the heroic last stand at St. Cream's Foal Hospital, where five hundred and twelve civilians and fifteen soldiers gave their lives to ensure the safety of the foals within against the Enclave menace.

Delta was glad he had left his helmet up, as he was starting to tear up a little bit. He walked around the fountain a bit to get a closer look at the colt. It was as he thought. He sniffed and gave a quick, respectful salute, causing some who saw it to dare laugh at his sentimental display, he ignored them and headed towards a staircase.

At the top of the stairs was a long hallway, which he headed down until he reached a door at the very end. He didn't bother knocking and just pushed right through. It was a waiting area with several officers, who immediately jumped up and saluted him, and some civilians in business suits. A secretary sat at a desk near the next door, she was griffon with a real no-nonsense look about her. Which didn't intimidate the Commissar, who walked right by her and proceeded into the next room.

It was an office, rather large, with a desk facing the door, behind which sat a heavily scarred pegasus, missing half his fur. He wore a hybrid of Enclave and Sanctuary power armor, the insect-like helmet rested on his desk, collecting dust like a foal's toy just kept around for nostalgia. A flag set behind the desk, black and white stripes with a purple alicorn in the center.

The secretary quickly came in after Delta. "I am so sorry, sir, he just burst right in. I tried to tell him to stop, but..."

The general waved her off with a hoof. "It's quite alright, Bustle, I've been expecting him. Cancel my other appointments for today, this is more important."

The griffon gave Delta a dirty look and left in a huff, all but slamming the door behind her.

"Touchy, isn't she?" Delta asked with a chuckle.

The general laughed as well. "Best secretary I could ask for. One look at her and the snobs turn tail and run. So, what has her grace set her eyes upon that she would send you? What must I do to fulfill this new interest?"

Delta waved him off. "In a moment. I have not seen my good friend in sixteen years, and would like to hear how he is doing."

The general nodded and reached under his desk to lift up a glass bottle. Opening the cap he tipped it up to his lips and took a great gulp before offering it to the Commissar.

"Zeta informed me to stop drinking, sorry," he said with a wave of his hoof. The general rolled his eyes.

"I thought you wore the metaphorical pants in the family," he said slyly. Delta shrugged.

"I may wear them, but she's the only one who knows how to mend them when I hit the rocks after a great fall."

"And she's apparently got you going philosophical," the general said before taking another drink. He set the bottle down, suspiciously close to edge on across from him. He bid the Commissar to sit and leaned forward, resting his chin on the desktop, next to the dusty helmet. "So... did you see the new fountain?"

Delta nodded as he lowered his helmet and shut off his power. "I did. Although, I noticed somepony missing."

The general's ears perked up at this and he tilted his head to the side. "What do you mean? I had them detail Commander Carnival, Nurse Pure Glyph and the foals perfectly. Together held the Enclave off for five days..."

"And what about the pegasus who carried all those two hundred foals to safety?" Delta interrupted him. He watched as the general's ears drooped. He continued. "The disillusioned Enclave soldier who prostrated himself on the ground before my battalion, begging to aid us in any way possible? Who shielded the last foal with his own body when the Enclave discovered there were no more foals for their experiments, resulting in disfiguring injuries? Who swore loyalty to her grace after one of the most brutal battle in Saddle Arabia? Where was he?"

The general didn't look him in the eye. "Wanting to forget those days, wanting to feel the sunshine while standing in the sands. Wanting to rid his mind of the government sanctioned population control, the live experimentation on hapless victims, wanting to forget he was even a part of those..." he couldn't finish the sentence. He grabbed the bottle and took a couple more big gulps.

"Her grace did not wish for you to forget," Delta said, pointing out the magenta helmet on the desk. "She wished you to remember, to realize you rose above their cowardess and selfishness. All her ponies saw you as one of them that day, and you rose higher than even she could have predicated, General Scorpion."

Scorpion looked at the helmet and sighed. "Not much cause to wear it anymore. The Enclave have vanished, thankfully, and with them, their evil. The Blue Stripes are quiet, and there's nothing around for miles from Gallopoli. I doubt they'll much of a problem. I'm just a desk jockey now, it seems. Her grace didn't by chance mention me on this mission, did she?"

"I'm sorry, Scorpion," Delta said with a shake of his head. "Before I launch into what is required, I will tell you a little story."

Scorpion rolled his eyes. "We may not have seen each other for years, but you still remain the same."

Delta ignored that and continued. "It was some time after our last visit, I was taking my grandson, Short Wave, through the marketplace, when he noticed a poster. On this poster was a propagandized image of a Enclave solider in armor, covered in blood while standing on the skulls of earthbound creatures." The general nodded, having seen these before. "It simply said, 'Watch the Skies'. Little Short Wave dragged me over to it and pointed up at it, foals usually shy away, as is the intention, as smiled. 'Granpy,' he said, 'that pony saved me'." Delta watched as some water appeared in the pegasus' good eye. "He remembered you, even after six years."

"What did you do?" Scorpion inquired, raising his head and blushing a bit as his ego began to return.

"Spanked him soundly and sent him to bed without supper," the Commissar said with a shrug. He burst out laughing when the general's chin hit the desk with a groan. "Only kidding, my friend. I bought him so much candy he got sick and my daughter had Zeta shave my mane and dye my stripes pink while I slept. It was worth it to see him happy."

"Well," the general began, seriously thinking about pulling rank on his friend at the moment, "let's discuss her grace's business now. Before you start telling more stories."


*	*	*


Some time after the zebra mare's examination, Sham came back into the tent, her face still moist from crying. She avoided the other patients and medical staff, seeming to just wander aimlessly. Short Wave watched as she fiddle with an empty cot, trying to look busy, but failing miserably. He didn't like that zebra, and he especially didn't like her attitude. She was one of those doctors who had the nurturing instinct of a female praying mantis. Her words appeared to have opened old wounds the little mare had tried to heal.

He called out her name when she got close during her wandering. She reacting as though she expected to be struck, a few tears trickling down her muzzle. When nothing happened, she looked up and noticed it was the earth pony she had spoken to earlier. She trotted over quickly and looked him over.

"Are you alright?" she asked in concern. "Did you need some painkillers, or maybe some more aspirin?"

Short Wave shook his head. "No. I actually just wanted to talk to somepony. And you're the only one here who seems... well... nice."

Sham sighed and shook her head. "I try. So, what did you want to talk about?"

"How about why that zebra bucker just had to pick on you like that," he said as he tried to shift into a more comfortable position.

Sham lowered her head. "My family made a lot of mistakes. Too numerous for me to try and recall at the moment. They really did try their best, but, luck always seemed to be against them. You wouldn't think a long line of salesponies would amount to such a reviled history. That why my sister and I became nurses."

"You wanted to break an unfortunate chain of events," Short Wave said. The mare nodded.

"But, the family legacy proceeded us. I do my best. But, Shim... she couldn't handle it as well as I could. She got kicked out of the medical core, and took to drinking. I try to support her as best I can. But, she yells and screams that she's already got a steady influx of caps."

"Is that why she's in the hospital?" Short Wave asked sympathetically. Sham didn't look surprised that he already knew.

"The sins of the father shall be cast upon the third and the fourth generation," she said in a hushed tone. "Ponies pay attention to us, know who we are. All because of a family history stained with greed. None of them are even what you could call criminals. Just desperate ponies trying to make cap."

"Bit," Short Wave corrected her. "Back in the day, they using gold coins called bits as currency."

Sham actually smiled at that. "Ah, I had forgotten. I know this. We use them to get bottles out of vending machines." She looked him in the eye and tilted her head shyly. "So, what did the doctor say?"

Short Wave shrugged. "That all I needed was some rest, and then walked off."

Sham searched the room for the zebra, found her, and glared daggers at her back. "She seems to be saying that a lot lately to patients. One time I had to scrounge up some painkillers when a griffin came in here with two broken legs. apparently got drunk and fell off the wall. She just had them set and told him to stop whining. It's almost as if she likes hearing others cry in pain."

"Maybe she just wants them to toughen up," Short Wave suggested, not wanting to start a war.

Sham turned her glare on him, causing him to cringe sharply. "If something is hurting you, you should cry. At least a little. It's up to others to help take away great pain, you can't take it all yourself, no matter how tough you are. No pony should be left hurting, I would even help an Enclave soldier if he or she was crying."

"What about you?"

"Huh?" Sham asked, giving him a quizzical look.

"You ran off crying," Short Wave said, reaching out a hoof to touch her shoulder. She was a little out of range, but she understood his intent and leaned forward a little. "Who comforts you?"

Sham looked down at the ground and sniffed. "My sister was once the dune I used for shade. But she couldn't handle the many gusts the desert threw at her. Now she is just another sorrow."

"Are you by any chance a poet?" Short Wave inquired, beginning to notice her speech patterns.

Sham nodded. "I'm amateurish at best. I just needed something to help me collect my thoughts during the day while everything keeps trying to fall on me."

"Can I hear some," Short Wave asked, honestly interested. This mare's voice was soft and sweet, and he found himself wanted to hear more and more of it. She was ecstatic, and immediately launched into daily muse.
> Chapter Thirteen: Science? What Have You Done?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Soda. That's what she would describe the feeling in her veins if she had known what that was. It bubbled and fizzed throughout her veins with life as she had never known. But this was the only life she knew. There were no other memories. Save for the vague sensation that she had once had wings, and that she had almost drowned a little while ago.

But even after that terrifying experience in the water, she couldn't help but feel happy with the warm fizziness flowing throughout her body. She plodded along the edge of the shore, the giggling kicking up the sand and stones as if it were a game. She was still soaked from her near-death experience, but she ignored it and kept playing on the shore. A flash in the corner of her eye caused her to turn her head to the sky, where she saw meteors flash across the sky. She slowly stepped forward, wading back into the cold water, eyes sparkling with wonder at the sight.

For some reason, happiness seemed new to her. She didn't understand why. Who would ever want to not feel this way?


*	*	*


With tremendous grinding noise, the ground dimpled and then split open around a glowing purple drill. The drill transformed into cylinder to hold back the heavy walls of dirt and stone that threatened to collapse inward and crush those below. There was some frantic speaking, then a yelp, a moment later, one Pintsize Slasher levitated out of the cylinder in a purple aura and onto, mostly, stable ground. He carefully shuffled away from the hole. testing the ground as he went.

Satisfied it was safe, he called out. "Okay, it seems stable enough. You can come out now."

Next up was Cold Wind, breathing rapidly with an almost deranged look in her eye. It was quite unfortunate that they only found out she was claustrophobic after the canyon had collapsed on top them. She landed stiffly on the ground and stalked around a bit to reorient herself before turning back to the hole and peeking down. The purple glow of the DMCs illuminated the strange mare below in an almost surreal light.

"Are you feeling better now?" Andromeda asked with some concern. Cold nodded and smiled apologetically. Andromeda gave her a compassionate look. "That's good to hear, dear, now... um, could you, maybe, help me up?"

Without a word, Cold wrapped her magic field around the strange mare and gently lifted upwards. Her legs were still a little wobbly but she kept her footing as she hauled up the mare. She moved as if to collapse once Andromeda was set upon the ground, but Pintsize quickly caught her, pressing a non-spikey part of his body against hers to brace her.

Andromeda saw this and smiled. "Well, it seems you two will finally have some proper time together. But, please, wait until we're far away from this place." She began to move slowly away from the hole, keeping the DMCs up just in case it might be keeping the rocks they stood upon from sliding. "Carefully, and calmly, walk towards the lake."

The two teenagers looked at each other in bewilderment, not exactly sure what she was implying, or how she could be so calm after having been buried alive. But they complied with her wishes and moved over the dirt and large rocks, some of which would shift slightly under their combined weight. They promptly split up to avoid applying great pressure upon the already unstable surface. Pintsize kept pausing to check Cold's progress every few steps to make sure she was doing alright, much to the delight of a certain Space Captain.

"hope their foals aren't born with spikes," she muttered thoughtfully, giving a quick look at the DMCs. She could feel her connection to them starting to dwindle as she got further away. "Birthing a unicorn, a colt especially, would be hard enough," she mused, remembering that experience, "but a hundred spikes? Ugh, it be like pushing out a cheese grater... Thank you, brain, I really needed that image."

"What was that?" Pintsize asked, giving her an odd look.

Andromeda gave him a nervous grin. "Oh, nothing, just the rambling of a madmare. You wouldn't understand." Another thought came into her head. "Lucky you," she whispered, hoping he would never be able comprehend such a horrible thing. No need to spread suffering.

The two teenagers reached the edge of the rubble, leapt off, and turned back to see Andromeda standing still some ways back. Pintsize took a step towards her, but she stopped him with a raised hoof.

"No," she ordered him firmly, "stay back. I can't my keep DeMaCs up for much longer at this range. I'm gonna have to make a run for it. Get far away you two, I don't know what's going to happen. Sure as space is ugly, I don't want either of you getting hurt. So, please... run."

It was strange, the teenagers found, they were pausing to consider her orders. Rather than blindly obeying some pony with the biggest gun, or abandoning a wounded comrade that had been deemed useless, they found themselves conflicted in this scenario. Cold took a step forward.

"Will you be okay? I... we don't want you to get hurt. If we're not..."

"I said run," Andromeda shouted at them.

Being yelled at was something set too deep in their bones to ignore. They turned tail and raced away, aiming for the lake. Andromeda smiled and watched them leave, chuckling a little. "I'll be just fine." As soon as they disappeared into the tree line, she deactivated the DMC and the rubble began to slide like a tower of marbles.


*	*	*


The two teenagers stopped for a moment when they heard the thunderous rumbling. They turned to look back, only to gape in horror at the great cloud of dust, like a sandstorm, billowing forth with enough power to sand the fur off their skin. Not only that, but little chunks of stone were being forced along in the great pressure great by the collapsing rubble, and were impaling themselves into trees.

Pintsize placed a hoof on Cold's flank and shoved her ahead of him so he could shield her body as they rushed ahead of the dangerous cloud. Plus, if he was going to die, there were worse things to be looking at. The gravel and stones hit all around them and the cloud was gaining ground rapidly, and their nimble legs were aching and tired. Nevertheless, the forced themselves to go faster, unwilling to disrespect an order from that strange mare. Like foals afraid of disappointing their mother.

The cloud dust cloud stripped the needles and leaves from the trees, and sanded the bark smooth. Limbs snapped off as thousands of little stones rammed into them, some trees would wind up appearing like Swiss cheese. The path, beaten out over years of service, would became indistinguishable under the carpet of dirt and rock.

Pintsize looked back at the cloud and saw it was practically swallowing his tail. He yelped in terror and looked around for an escape route. A rather large tree to the left looked promising. He promptly grabbed Cold's tail with his mouth and bolted over. Cold shrieked the whole way, clawing at the ground in terror, but she was no much for an earth pony's strength.

She didn't know what he was he was doing, but soon found herself surrounded by the colt as he settled upon her body as a shield against the cloud. The cloud rammed against the tree with a great wail, and rocks beat against it, but it held, keeping the two ponies safe. Both ponies cringed and waited for the wind to die.

It had only lasted a mere minute, but it was terrifying moment for all those concerned.

"Um, Pintsize?"

"Yes?" the colt asked, eyes still closed as he covered the mare's body.

"I think it's over," she said nervously. "You can get off now."

"Oh," the colt gently got up, mindful of his spikes, and offered her a hoof, which she gratefully accepted. "So, do you think she survived?"


*	*	*


The thunderous noise took away the happy sensation, and the fizziness in her veins died down. She turned away from the celestial show and into the woods, where she saw a raging storm of dust. It was moving at an alarming rate. She felt fear, then pity. She took a step towards the coming cloud, feeling it's rage and anger. She didn't like that. Anything filled with so much anger shouldn't exist.

A bright pink aura formed about her horn just moments before the cloud would have hit her. A massive wall of hot pink tendrils reached out and tore the cloud apart, devouring the dark magic within. She gagged.

"It tastes like black licorice."


*	*	*


Andromeda deactivated the DMCs she had sent spinning around her suit after the rumbling died down. It was rather strange. She and expected some sliding, maybe even some rolling stones, but this had appeared almost like a cave in. Her horn tingled with a strange magic pulsing through the air. A cloud of dust was expected, but the air was full of it, thick blocking out almost all light. She turned the DMCs into a large wall and swept it from side-to-side to dissipate the cloud so she could get a better view.

After this was done, she saw she was standing in a hole, surrounded by gravel, remains of the rocks that had tried to swallow her up. It brought a smile to her face, but then she noticed the trees were torn apart. She swallowed hard and rushed up to one. She ran her boots over it, feeling the damage. Looking up the path she held her breath as she prayed to not see the remains of the teenagers. Fortunately, the path, or desert landscape now, was bare of any bloody corpses. She sighed in relief.

Unbeknown to her, she had an observer, who stood both in awe and loathing of her presence. He watched as she heading up the path towards the lake, his sides heaving in pain and rage. His calamitous spell had had no effect on her, and now he was too tired and hurt to do more. He collapsed to the ground and groaned.

"I curse your name, mare. Whatever it is, you are cursed. You dared halt the ceremony, you dared defile our queen's holy ground with your presence. Consider yourself marked. You will never cease being hunted."


*	*	*


She heard the sound of hooves, and she felt excited. She had never been excited like this before. Maybe they would like to play game. She new of a good game. It would help her forget the taste of that terrible magic. She quickly leapt into a cluster of reeds, settling down into the water, giggling gleefully.

She briefly wondered if it would have been better to tell them that they were playing. But it was such a good place to hide, and she wouldn't want to give herself away. She would stay put until they found her.


*	*	*


The lake seemed unusually dead that night. Only the waves could be heard, not even the splash of a fish breaking the surface or the buzzing of insects could be heard. It was all eerily silent. But to the two ponies soaking their hooves in the cool water, it was intoxicating. No pony screaming at them, calling them for "services", no wailing of tormented foals, cries of prisoners, or other horrors they had not realized before. Now, standing beneath the moonlight in utter silence and in the company of a... friend, was a new experience they were finding to be enjoyable.

"This has been the greatest two days of my life," Cold Wind suddenly said, closing her eyes and resting her chin upon her chest contentedly. Pintsize looked at her, curious as to what she meant. "What about you, Pintsize?"

Pintsize looked away, staring at the reflection of the moon in the water. There were so many thoughts and images running though his head, emotions he had never felt, and concepts he didn't understand. "Just a short while ago... we were murders, Cold. We did things that felt so natural, but... but now...," tears began to form in his eyes, "now I feel like somepony's forced me to eat rocks. Some of those things we did make me want to vomit. Why does it feel so wrong now, Cold? I feel strange pains, but it makes me happy."

Cold looked as him sympathetically and rested her hoof upon his shoulder. "I feel the same as well. It's... so natural. As if we'd been dead until now."

Pintsize looked into Cold's eyes and sniffed. "And... my sister... she never got to experience this."

Cold leaned in close and gave him a gentle embrace, it felt right. "She died free, Pintsize. She'd want you to be happy."

Pintsize made a splash when he sat down in the water, tears flowing down his cheeks in rivers. He couldn't wipe away the stinging salt for fear of accidentally gouging out his own eyes with the terrible spikes. He raised his head and cried sorrowfully, truly for the first time since he cradled his sister's corpse. "I can still see her little body. I just want my little sister to feel these things. I want her to feel freedom from that perversity we called life."

Cold nuzzled his cheek gently, an unfamiliar, yet comforting feeling for them both. "She was free. Remember that, always, Pintsize, she was as free as you and I are now. She was always the more naïve of you two. She probably felt what we are feeling now and then some."

Cold fell silent after that, keeping her cheek resting against her friend's listening to his cries. Crying was only for foals and those about to die in the Marauders, believing it to be a weakness. But that way of thinking was falling away now.

"While this is touching, don't you two think it would be a little bit better without... the spikes?"

Both ponies whipped their heads around to see a rather dusty mare in a space suit. With a great cry of joy, they sped towards her and wrapped their hooves about her in an embrace. Andromeda was both taken aback and pleased by this display of familiarity.

"You're alive," Cold whooped joyfully.

"Yes," Andromeda said pensively, thinking back to that magic she had felt.

"You came back to us," Pintsize said through his tears, beaming her a great a smile. He let out a yelp of surprise when she threw a hoof about his shoulders and pulled him in close. "Don't worry about the spikes, they can't penetrate this armor. Armor. Ha. You two already tried that, remember. Oh, not that I'm upset with you or anything... it was those adult hippies who really messed you up. I can see you're both healing already."

Cold nodded. "We've... never felt such things. What's happening to us? Is it magic?"

Andromeda chuckled and shrugged. "In a way. You were just a few coins somepony had dropped in a mud puddle. All you needed was for somepony to come along and wash the grime away before it set in too deep."

"What's a coin?" Pintsize asked, confused.

Andromeda's eyes tabled and she sighed. "Yep, you were raised by hippies. Freelovin', murderous, sadistic hippies."

"Hippies?" Cold pondered to herself. It was a strange insult to be sure, being both funny sounding and disgusting at the same time. She liked it.

"Now then," Andromeda said, releasing the colt and looked between the two. "Who wants their spikes removed first?" She created a micro saw with the DMCs and smiled.


*	*	*


Pintsize had volunteered to go first, discovering himself to be chivalrous and test the waters before the mare. The small, magical saw sliced through the metal spikes like butter, tickling slightly even. For each of the sharp prongs that fell to the ground with a musical plink, his heart would skip a beat, and his body would feel lighter, as though shackles were being removed. He could help but shout for joy when the final spike was removed.

Andromeda watched in great amusement as the colt began running about like a foal at an theme park. Chuckling at his antics of testing the newfound freedom of motion in his legs, she turned to Cold and gestured for to come over. The small unicorn seemed a little more nervous than Pintsize had, even after seeing the smile on his face.

"No need to worry, dear," Andromeda reassured her, sweeping the fallen spikes away with a hoof. "I've cut metal with this thing lots of times. I think I'm pretty good at it. It did save my life after all."

"How so?" Cold asked, sitting down and holding out a hoof her to work on.

Andromeda began cutting as she spoke. "Well... I can't exactly talk about it. But... did anypony, at all, see a bright object falling from the sky a few nights ago?"

Cold nodded. "We saw, but, when we didn't hear a crash, or feel any tremors, we figured it had just burned up. Why? What does that have to do with you?"

"Weeelll," Andromeda felt her geek nature start bubbling up. She wanted so bad to say she was working for the Ministries, but she wasn't so sure she could, especially in a forest that seemed to have ears. "Let's just say I was riding it."

"What? Ow!"

Cold was taken aback by her words and jerked her leg, causing Andromeda to nick the flesh. Andromeda gasped and quickly deactivated the saw. She grasped the mare's leg and examined the wound. It was small.

"I'm fine," Cold said with a shrug. "It's just a scratch. I've had worse."

Andromeda shook her head. Her horn lit up and the small scratch slowly closed up. Cold's mouth fell open as she gawked at what had just happened.

"H-how did you do that?" she asked in amazement. I thought only health potions could heal wounds like that."

"When you have a couple foals, you learn a few tricks," Andromeda said as she reactivated the saw and got back to work. "Little cuts and scrapes are simple things. Takes a little energy though."

"It wasn't really that necessary," Cold said, Andromeda just rolled her eyes. Cold decided to change the subject. "So, you rode that falling star?"

Andromeda just nodded. "It sounds crazy when you say it like that but..."

"No-no," Cold said with slow shake of her head. "That's not crazy at all. What is crazy is a mare wearing an indestructible suit, carrying weapons of mass destruction, wandering through a dangerous forest, befriending ponies who were intent on murdering her, and then brings a canyon down upon of herself in order to kill her enemies and survive. That sounds crazy."

Andromeda paused in her work to review that. "Huh. Never thought about it like that before." She finished cutting the rest of the spikes in thoughtful silence.

It was amusing to see both the teenagers running about like foals when she was done. In fact, she couldn't help but join them. They frolicked about the shore a while, tussling about in good fun. Andromeda felt good, there was no other word for it, Promise had been a downer, the past couple days had been rather dangerous, and a lonely mare had given her life to kill the monsters that infested the forest.

She paused a moment a the memory of Mrs. Miserables. "Oh, my. How could I have forgotten?"

The two teenagers collided with each other when they turned their heads to look at the strange mare. They groaned and staggered about for a moment.

"Forgot what?" Pintsize asked, rubbing his head tenderly. It was exhilarating at the same time though, not having to worry about cutting himself anymore.

"That alicorn," Andromeda said, looking back in the direction the canyon. "Her name was Mrs. Mi-z-er-obbes, and she sacrificed herself to help us. Ponies she hardly knew. Me, a pony who broke into her home, demanded things from her... accidently got her to shoot herself," she cringed a bit at that memory, "and yet... she still... she still did this for me. And by extent, you two as well."

Cold approached Andromeda's side and laid a hoof on her withers. "I've noticed that you have that effect on some ponies."

Mercy just sighed and shook her head. "I've been around at least hundred ponies since I... came here. Only four ponies have done anything to help me. Oh, speaking of one, I'm very sorry about Peppershot, Pintsize. I think it's alright to mourn now if you want. We should be safe now."

Pintsize didn't say anything, he just walked up beside Andromeda and sat down, placing a hoof on her other side. The two mares followed suit, sitting down upon the ground.

"Out of all the ponies I've met these past weeks, only you have shown me any kindness," Mercy said in a low tone. Then she began chuckling wryly, "and all of you have attempted to kill me. I keep strange company."

"Oh, come on."

All three ponies whirled around in time to see a small unicorn filly peering out from a cluster of reeds with a frustrated look on her face. Andromeda looked at Cold Wind.

"Friend of yours?"

Cold shook her head in bewilderment. "No. I've never seen her before in my life. I've never seen anypony so... well, there is you... odd."

Andromeda was too ladylike to take offense. "Well, then she certainly wandered into the wrong neighborhood." She trotted towards the annoyed filly to get a better look. The filly seemed to oblige her curiosity, as she slipped out of the reeds and walked towards her, stomping her hooves in frustration. They both paused just a few hooflengths from each other.

"I've been hiding since... forever, and none of you even tried to find me," the filly huffed haughtily before sitting on her rump and crossing her legs in front of her chest. "What a stupid game." 

Andromeda's wide eyes looked the newcomer over in astonishment. The little filly had a red body, white hooves, a pink tail, a translucent pink mane upon a dark blue head that billowed in a magical breeze, giving off a ghostly effect, and her eyes were reptilian, like those cultists in the canyon, except they were bright pink as well. But the most enigmatic feature of the filly was the glowing square on her right front leg, which blinked and shimmered in archaic patterns. Andromeda wasn't a stupid mare, she quickly connected the dots.

"My suit had baby!" she shrieked in a mixture of wonder and horror. Then she promptly fainted, falling asleep for the first time since she woke up to the desolation of Hope.


*	*	*


Spell Nexus had managed to drag his battered body quite a distance into the forest. He was in no condition to pursue the mare. Medical experts would tell him he was in no condition to be alive. He kept moving, ignoring the pain the riddled his form as he sought out the remnants of his Marauders.

"You vile mare... damned creature of... of light. You cannot... kill me... with lightning, nor a... mountain. Truly, I am these ponies' high priest. I will... rebuild the Marauders. We're no co... common band... aaaugh... of r-raiders. I. Am. High. Priest. Of the. Queen Goddess. Not that low-born hack... who could be killed with a simple... megaspell. My Queen shall... rise... and I shall be her Consort in the... new order. No power of this world shall... defeat her dark glory. I shall... build an army. Yes. And tear that suit from your hide. In... your womb, I will place my seed... and you will watch... from a box... as the child grows. I will... fill him... with incredible hate. And... and he will carve you apart and be... a great general unto the Queen. That shall be my revenge. I want you... to suffer for... delaying my Queen's return. You're own... child shall kill you. Even if my great tempest spell could not."

On that last word, he stopped, hearing a noise. He looked up ahead and saw a glint of blue. He smiled. Ponies, watchers of the foals that had left before the ceremony began, stepped out from the brush, their eyes still the same reptilian turquoise as his own. He chuckled darkly as they silently stepped up to him and bore him away on their backs.

"I shall... return," he managed to croak out as he slipped into a deep slumber.
> Chapter Fourteen: Exposition's End
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, let me get this straight," Andromeda said, rubbing the sides of her helmet with her eyes tightly shut. "You're saying that those cultist hippies were trying to resurrect Nightmare Moon, but something went wrong with the spell, the black unicorn hit me by accident, so I started an entirely unnecessary bloodbath, this filly is the said Nightmare Moon, and you had a portal spell set up to take you to safety?"

Mrs. Miserables and the two teenagers, who were all sporting new bruises, nodded, glancing between the strange mare and the weird filly. Andromeda had opened one eye and saw this, she sighed wearily and pulled the filly over to herself with her magic.

"Let's take a look at you, shall we?" she said she looked over the filly, who was looking rather frightened now. A small bruise on her side was the only sign that the poor thing had been attacked. "Okay, unique color pattern matching both myself and my space suit. Extremely lovely eyes, if a little strange. Wish I had hair like that. And this thing."

Andromeda touched the glowing pink square just above the filly's right forehoof. It rippled like a shockwave in a pond. It was dimmer now than it had been before, possibly something to do with her present mood. She looked back up into the filly's eyes and let her expression soften. She pulled the little creature to her breast in a maternal hug. "Don't worry, you're safe with me, dearie."

She then then glared at the other three. "I see absolutely no reason any of you had to hurt her. Heck, that kick, Mrs. Miz-er-obbes, could have killed her. Does no pony respect the sanctity of life is this damned forest?" She took a couple deep, peachy-flavored, breathes to calm herself down. "You know what? Just count yourselves lucky. I understand you all are afraid of the dark, sick, filthy, perverse, I'm rambling, garbage that goes on in these woods. Some racist earth ponies up the road, bloodthirsty forest hippies everywhere else, would make for suspicious psychos on a witch-hunt."

The two teenagers lowered themselves tot he ground as a sign of repentance. Andromeda continued.

"I forgive you all, as she is all right. Lucky for you being a mother makes me react whenever a foal cries for help. I would hate to see what might have happened had I not woken up in time. But, I will give you all the benefit of the doubt, I believe you would have stopped once you saw what you were doing. But, again, the damage is done, and it will take some time to heal."

Mercy stood up and levitated the filly into and unoccupied saddlebag. She gave the three ponies in front of her a look only a mother could possess, that look between rage and compassion yet fully infused with love. "So, here's the deal. We're all getting out of this forest. We're all going to get along. And, until we exit this terrible place, you will not approach me, or the filly, unless you want to apologize." She lifted up her right hoof to look at her pipbuck.

"Peppy, which way to Command?" she had asked, since she already found that Peppy couldn't find Stable 41. At least there she might get some help from ponies who knew and respected her.

An arrow appeared on the far right of her helmet, she turned and faced it, point the hoof out and nodded. "That'a way, let's get going." She started off at a decent trot.

"Who says I'm going with you?" Mrs. Miserables demanded, not liking being ordered around. Nor did she like the teenagers, now that she could see the remains of the metal spikes on their legs. When she looked closer she could even see the faded smiley-face tattoos.

Andromeda paused and looked at her. "You dropped a canyon on us, made me feel like I'd made somepony die for my sake. I appreciate that by the way. Thank you. And you tried to harm an innocent filly, who was just born less than an hour ago. You owe me, and this forest is a mad house. I need all the help I can get. Besides, you look like you've already got your bags packed."

It was true, Mrs. Miserables had two full saddlebags at her sides. She had already had them ready before entering the canyon after Andromeda, a contingency just in case things went sour. After she had slipped through a portal connected to a circle of femurs she had left a mile or so away(she wasn't stupid), she had collected them and returned to see if anypony had survived. Then she saw the two teenagers staring at the filly, who was standing beside the body of Andromeda, and when she had connected the dots she jumped to the conclusion that the filly was Nightmare Moon reborn and had used powerful dark magic to slay the indestructible mare.

Being out of ammunition, she had lunged at the filly and delivered a savage kick to her side. The noise had awoken Andromeda, who then began throwing punches at everypony taller than her shoulders. Which meant some collateral damage on the part of the teenagers. Then again, they hadn't tried to stop her either.

Mrs. Miserables just gave an annoyed grunt and began following the strange mare. "I have everything I need anyway."


*	*	*


Commissar Delta and General Scorpion had left the Sanherdroam together with a small escort of twelve shield bearers. Now, the way shield bearers worked was a team, typically of two, one concentrating on defense, and the other on offense. One would bear a large shield and the other a weapon of some sort, and both would concentrate on keeping each other alive. It was an extremely effective set up that Her Grace was said to had revised from ancient tomes.

The general's shield bearers were all the strongest ponies and zebras to be found in Mareusalem, the shields were covered in spikes to discourage enemy charges, and the offensive part of the team bore a heavy battle saddle with an assortment of weapons for different ranges and targets. All of them wore power armor, painted gold instead, with blue highlights and short green capes. The six duos surrounded the two officers, shields facing out, and safeties off.

The commissar was used to such treatment, being one of Her Grace's many more honored shield bearers. But the general just seemed to begrudgingly accept it.

"Still not used to such security?" Delta asked with a chuckle.

Scorpion rolled his eyes, he had left his helmet back in the office. "Just reminds that I'm old and need protecting."

"We're both old," Delta said. "I, however, have a wife and children that won't let me sit down. You really should try it, General."

"A half-burned, ex-Enclave, dried-up old Pegasus like me? I think I'd be safer walking naked into a Blue Stripe encampment."

Delta snorted in raucous laughter at that. "True. You can kill your enemies, but family will drive a stallion you straight to the grave." His dying died down and she gave his friend a compassionate look. "Still, Her Grace would be remise to let one of her general's bloodlines to end so abruptly."

"What's she going to do? Force a mare on me?" Scorpion actually looked slightly worried at that prospect. It was too good for Delta not to take advantage of.

"Wouldn't be the first time," he said in as serious a tone as possible, watching his friend almost trip over his own hooves. Wings were very useful in keeping balance apparently. "Don't be too surprised if a young mare shows up at your doorstep with a letter from Her Grace." Scorpion was really looking uncomfortable now. "I think some fillies and colts with both stripes and wings would look absolutely adorable."

Scorpion regretted leaving his helmet behind as his face suddenly turned bright red. Delta's eyes went wide with realization.

"You like zebra mares, don't you, General?" the commissar asked in an amused grin on his face.

Scorpion searched for some way out, stuttering all the while. "W-well, th-th-they h-have nice, f-firm... aw, here we are. L-let's go inside and take care of Her Grace's business."

Delta wordlessly commended the shield bearers for keeping straight faces throughout the whole conversation, and followed the Pegasus inside of a large warehouse. the metal doors opened and then closed behind them, and the covered windows hid all that went on inside. Soldiers stood ready outside the doors, weapons at the ready.


*	*	*


Short Wave was enjoying Sham's company immensely. Not only was outwardly she kind with a sweet voice(being highly attractive didn't hurt either), but she was also full of a refreshing goodness. Having been raised in a zebra family, he found it hard to express many of his emotions growing up, as zebras innately suppressed them unless the situation truly called for it. For an earth pony colt growing up around such an emotionally distant, yet still affectionate, family, made for a very confusing and troublesome foalhood. Sham was like a glass of water in this hot desert.

Lastly shall I see you,
Upon that golden rise?
The heart beneath my breast a drum,
As I await your sweet return,
From the land that far away lies.
On that day you may take me,
A soft slumber falls upon us,
After from each other we learn.
That I may rise joyful in those coming dawns,
To know that I hath become gray and fruitful with thee.

"Can you possibly be anymore desperate?"

Unfortunately, they had a heckler. That zebra mare was belligerent in her harassment of Sham. To the point that Short Wave had to hold the little mare close to keep her from running off. But this time seemed to be the final straw. For Short Wave that is.

"Will you shut your damned mouth you stupid, striped prancer," he shouted at her. Prancer being a zebra term for a very indecent mare, this made the doctor's mouth drop open and her eyes go wide.

"How dare...," she started in retaliation, but was cut off by the young earth pony.

"No!" Short Wave shouted back at her. "How dare you... how dare you treat this poor filly like some sort of parasite. She has been nothing but pleasant." The zebra's eyes narrowed in aggression. "In fact, you've done next to nothing this whole time, other than try and bring her down like you did earlier. Do you even do anything? At all?"

"I'm a doctor," the zebra growled, rolling her shoulders. "I don't have time to waste on some out-of-shape blueblooded mudpony that had to be drug in here because of a sunburn. This 'nurse', has done nothing either, other than flaunt her deplorable poetry and flitter her eyes at you. Hardly any taste, either, you are definitely no catch. She's just desperate enough lift her tail for the first pony who... aaaah."

The zebra leapt to the side in time to avoid being hit by a flying clay pitcher, which shattered when it hit the ground and spilling out the brackish water held within. This took the zebra's attention for a moment, and when she turned to look at the stallion, she found herself literally nose-to-nose with him.

Short Wave bared his teeth at her, even with his slightly chubby appearance it was quite intimidating. Sham gripped the stallion's tail with all four limbs, her teeth and her magic, trying to pull him back, unsuccessfully. She watched in horror as the zebra's ears fell back and she began cowering underneath the deadly gaze of Short Wave.

"You have made me mad, stripey," he said through his teeth.

"Y-you shouldn't be up like," the zebra choked out in terror. "You were on the verge of sunstroke, you couldn't possibly..."

"You. Made. Me. Mad," Short Wave said slowly and methodically. "I haven't been mad like this in years. Do you know why?" He asked the question again when the zebra mare didn't respond.

"N-no," she answered, backing away a few steps.

"Because the last time is was this angry I made my entire family cry," he spat out, the rage increasing in his veins. "Perhaps I should demonstrate." He lifted a hoof in preparation to strike, but stopped suddenly when Sham latched onto his raised leg.

"Stop," she cried out, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. "You're a good stallion. She's not worth it. She's just a meanie." She looked into the eyes of the stallion, pleading the zebra's case. "Please. I know you're a good stallion. Don't prove me wrong."

Short Wave's face softened and he lowered his leg a little. He watched as sham unclenched her hinds legs and magic to stand on the ground, but kept her front hooves wrapped firmly about his leg. He looked back at the cowering zebra mare and snorted. "I am a good colt. Which is why I'm leaving before you corrupt my morals stripey. Come with me, Sham, they don't deserve you here."

"If she leaves," the zebra said, composing herself, badly, "she'll never work here again. What good is a mare if she can not hold down such a simply job?"

Sham looked terrified. While she liked Short Wave, she had only known him for a few hours. Meanwhile, this job was all she had to keep her and her sister off the streets. She let out a sigh of defeat. Her sister meant more than a stranger. "I'm sorry, Short, but, I hardly know you. This job is all I have."

Short Wave saw the triumphant smirk on the zebra's face. He was not going to let her win. "My grandfather can help you with that." He turned and started towards the exit. The rage was subsiding and his limbs were starting o feel heavy, but he forced himself along.

The zebra snorted out a laugh. "Ooh. And just who is this all-powerful grandfather of yours?"

"Commissar Delta of her Grace's personal shield bearers," Short Wave said nonchalantly. as he passed through the tent flap. Both the mares were left speechless. Commissar Delta's reputation proceeded him quite a ways. Short Wave smiled as the unicorn mare almost seemed to materialize at his side, a hopeful grin on her face, her nurse's uniform now gone. It had been no contest where her hopes laid.


*	*	*


"Okay," Andromeda said as she laid down inside of a cave she had chosen as shelter for the night. She levitated the filly out of her saddlebags and set her down between her front hooves so she could get a better look at her. "Now then, little one. Why don't we have a little talk."

The filly watched as the other three entered the cave, keeping to the other side and away from the mare, as per her orders. Looking back she saw the curious, yet stony eyes behind the odd costume. "W-who are you?"

"No," Andromeda said with a shake of her head. "I will ask the questions first. You will answer. Right?"

The filly closed her mouth and nodded.

Andromeda fondled the filly's strange mane as she talked. "I may not be the brightest mare in the world, but I'm by no means the stupidest. That title belongs to Missy for the time being."

"Missy?" Mrs. Miserables shouted, leaping up and glaring at Andromeda.

The mare rolled her eyes and nodded. "Yes, Missy. I'm not going to keep saying Mrs. Miz-er-obbes all the time. Especially since I don't see a mister."

"It is kind of a mouthful," Pintsize pointed out with a shrug. Cold gave him a light shove to let him know he shouldn't get between the two mares.

The newly dubbed "Missy", puffed out her cheeks as she searched for some way of protesting, and then just let the air out in defeat. "Forget it. Call me what you want. It's a stupid name, anyway."

Andromeda turned her attention back to the foal brought her head down so they were eye-to-eye. "Back to my questions. What's your name?"

The filly opened her mouth and then froze. She realized all of a sudden that she didn't have one. Then she remembered that these ponies had yelled something earlier. What was it again. "ummm, Newmirror Money? I think?"

Andromeda chuckled. "Close. According to history, you're Nightmare Moon. A dark monster that tried to bring eternal night across the whole world."

The filly cringed at the accusation. But was comforted by the mare's soft touch.

"However, if you really had such power, I doubt any of us would be alive at the moment," Andromeda mulled over what she had just said for a moment. "Plus the fact you came trotting up to us talking about playing a game. That's not something the dark mare of dreams would say... I think. Haven't met too many to be sure."

The filly heard these things, and the soda in her veins felt very cold upon hearing them. A feeling, like something was breathing on the back of her neck made her uncomfortable. She didn't this. It was almost painful in fact.

Andromeda spoke up again. "This leads me to a few different conclu..."

"I'm cold," the filly suddenly piped up, before plunging force and pressing herself between mare's legs, trying to warm up her blood.

Mercy stared down in bewilderment at the filly's action. Seeing her shiver made her suspicions, however small, melt away with compassion. "One conclusion. You're a little filly brought suddenly into a hostile world." She levitated the filly out from between her legs and set her against her side, then curled up around the small form. "A little love and forgive can cover a multitude of your past sins, little one. I'll keep you warm this night."

The two teenagers watched with mixed emotions at the strange mare's actions, both admiring and curious at her acceptance of the filly. Missy, however still had opinions to voice.

"Will you stop that," she demanded. "It's not even a real pony. For crying out loud. It's a spell, giving manifestation to one of the most evil villains in history."

Andromeda didn't even acknowledge what Missy had said. "So, your an alicorn?"

Missy groaned at Mercy's dismissiveness. "Are you really just going to ignore everything I just said?"

Andromeda nodded, not even giving her a glance as she concentrated on a warming spell for the little filly. Her horn even hummed in a calming tone to aid in the foal's comfort. "Aren't alicorns supposed to be super powerful? You know, move the sun and moon kind of stuff. Granted, you managed to bring the world down atop of us, that was fairly powerful."

"I'm not an alicorn," Missy responded in a miffed tone.

"Then why do you have a horn and wings?"

Missy growled and stood up, dropped all her coverings to the ground and spreading her wings wide. She lit up her horn and summoned a little light behind her to show them what she was. The light passed through the gossamer portions of her wings, making them appear to be full of holes. She pulled back her lips to expose two sharp fangs.

"I am as artificial as that creature you're coddling," she said in dark tone. The teenagers, upon seeing her teeth, gasped and moved further away from her. "All this fur, my mane, these feathers, even my eyes, are things I plundered from corpses," she pointed to each of the parts respectively. "I grafted them to my hideous body so that I might move when the sun rises. My power is nothing but runes I tattooed on the inside of this flesh, I split my horn in half that I might graft on this unicorn horn to boost my own powers. I am Mrs. Miserables... and I am a changeling remade."

There was a dead silence that followed. The revelations were both disturbing and astounding. All four ponies stared at the beast in all its splendor. She looked at them all in turn, awaiting their thoughts.

"What's a changeling?" Andromeda asked. Missy facehoofed with a groan.


*	*	*


Commissar Delta watched the pegasi mechanics flying about the inside of the warehouse, carrying tools and parts to and from the Enclave airship. It was immense, stretching form one end of the warehouse to the other, blastmarks showed how Scorpion had managed to capture it, and the magenta paint that was slowly being applied proved his intentions for it. All the Enclave marks and symbols had been removed, and a pile of Sanctuary items were ready to be set up. He also noted at least three rifles trained on each one of the pegasi. Save one, a mare, who was currently chained to the floor with and strapped with explosives; several turrets were aimed at her. She wore black, sheenless power armor with fiery purple decals, some sort of special forces. But, where were her wings?

"Who is that?" Delata asked, drawing Scorpion's attention to the mare.

Scorpion sighed wearily. "We have an Enclave airship right here in front of us, and you want to talk about her? Good choice."

They walked over tot he mare, who watched them with her expression hidden by the mask. Delta stepped a few paces away, but Scorpion walked right up to her and lift her visor to expose what laid beneath. Hundreds of surgical scars crisscrossed what might have once been a beautiful face. He snapped her teeth at the general's hoof, growling aggressively.

"The enclave called her Subject X-887 EP-PP," Scorpion said, watching as the mare ineffectively mauled his armored hoof. "I call her Closure, because, due to her, we now know why the Enclave raided St. Cream's Foal Hospital."

"I thought you rescued all those foals," Delta said, taking a step forward. He noticed his words made the mare cease biting the armor.

"She's not Saddle Arabian," Scorpion said, setting the hoof down and sighing. "She's Equestrian. The Enclave wanted a lot of earthbound foals for these experiments it looks like."

"What experiments?" the Commissar demanded. He wasn't angry with his friend, but with the Enclave monsters that had done this to the mare, and possibly other foals.

"You know a pony has a strange gene code, right?" General Scorpion asked, looking to his friend, who nodded slowly in response. "An earth pony married to an earth pony could give birth to a unicorn or a pegasus. Such strange bloodlines, they can suddenly pop up out of nowhere, unexpected and take parents by surprise. now, imagine Enclave pegasi, who are never allowed on the ground, giving birth to an earthbound pony. What happens?"

"I am not sure I wish to know," Delta said, but he knew he needed to hear it.

"Sometimes, parents will keep the foal a secret, constructing a second home on the ground to keep the foal safe," Scorpion began his explanation, feeling his blood boil. "Sometimes, they have to flee to protect their child, becoming Dashites." He hung his head and shuddered at he forced himself to explain the last bit. "But, more often than those decisions, thanks to population-control propaganda, parents are more than willing to just let their 'impure' foals... fall."

Delta closed his eyes and gritted his teeth in anger. Scorpion continued.

"But, this starts taking a toll on the blood, such small populations start becoming inbred. Even just slightly. They need other ponies to help keep them healthy. So, why not create technology that would allow other ponies to walk on the clouds? And what better test subjects than foals? They adapt quickly, and can be taught just about anything. Like Closure here. She hates all things not Enclave."

The earth pony mare bared her teeth and tried to take a step forward, but the chains kept her in place. Scorpion gave her a pitying look.

"Pegasi magic works like a constant outpouring of water. It's how we fly fast and walk on clouds. The magic flow out of us, and connects with the air, making it pass around us, or binds things together, like clouds, to form a literal sheets of water that keep us afloat. Earth ponies, like Closure, direct their magic via physical touch, allowing them to grip the ground and deliver strikes that could shatter trees. For her to stay afloat in the clouds, she have to have such a forceful magic... recoded."

"Those scars...?" Delta didn't say anymore.

"No need to be gentle, she was only one of the earlier test subjects. They took away her force, as a filly. Of course, she was too unsightly to use as a breeder after that, so they made her into an experimental soldier. Say hello to the first earth pony Shadowbolt, Commissar Delta."

"How does she fly?"

Scorpion pointed towards some vents on the sides of her armor. "Closure? Be dear and show my friend, please." The mare growled at him and refused to comply.

"Subject X-887 EP-PP, your wings, now."

All eyes turned towards an old pegasus stallion in a black overcoat hovering overhead, his forehooves crossed in front of his chest. He glared at the mare, you immediately obeyed. Dark clouds suddenly burst out of the vents, lightning ran through them as they shaped themselves into a pair of surreal wings that flapped to show they were controllable.

"Earth Pony Pegasus Project?" Delta quipped, looking at the newcomer, who lightly landed close by.

The stallion nodded. "There's a UP-PP onboard, if you wish to meet him.  And, yes, that mean Unicorn Pony Pegasus Project."

"Commissar Delta," Scorpion said, gesturing towards the other pegasus, "this is Brigadier General Flash Nimbus, formerly of the Grand Pegasus Enclave." He then gestured to the zebra. "Brigadier General Flash Nimbus, this is Commissar Delta of Her Grace's shield bearers, Sanctuaries best."

Delta made no attempt tot deny his friend's claim. "I trust you're cooperating here in Mareusalem, General?"

Flash nodded. "Of course, we turned ourselves in in hopes of a bargain."

"I shot you down," Scorpion deadpanned.

"After you saw us waving white flags," Flash explained, keeping a calm and respectful attitude. This made Scorpion roll his eyes. "After the clouds rolled back, we saw that there was no more hope for the Enclave to continue existing. So... we decided to find the closest superpower and enlist. Sanctuary has been known for taking... unsightly beings before."

"We embrace Her Grace's philosophy," Scorpion growled, noticing that Flash had said that last part while looking directly at Delta. "All who seek redemption and a bright future are welcome. The track record speaks for itself."

Flash just mumbled something and sat down. He looked at Scorpion and asked, "So, why have you brought the Commissar here?"

"Because he is going to be taking your ship and heading into Equestria in search of... somepony," he didn't dare say who it was lest he make Her Grace look like a lunatic.

Flash's eyes went wide and flared his wings in disgust. "A zebra? Flying my ship? I will not allow this striped primitive to..."

"Under Her Grace's orders, the best Mareusalem has is to be given to him to aid in his search," Scorpion stated forcefully, smirking at the seething stallion. "Seeing as you want to make such a good impression with Her Grace, I would assume you will allow us to take control of the New Hope. Am I wrong?"

Flash Nimbus quickly tired to come up with an excuse. "I-I mean... plenty of my crew are still loyal tot he Grand Pegasus Enclave. It would be suicide to just let them go with you to Equestria, where most of the Enclave is likely trying to rebuild itself. They would most likely mutiny."

"Really?" Scorpion asked incredulously, looking up at the working pegasi. He gave a sharp whistle, and half of them immediately dropped to the ground behind him and stood at attention. "I think twenty is just fine for a skeleton crew. Well, add some shield bearers and other staff, and the Commissar has a pretty good chance of coming back alive."

"W-what?" Flash asked looking at his former crewmembers who were now giving him condescending smirks. "What's the meaning of this?"

Scorpion signaled somepony with a wing without looking away from the other general. "I took the time to question your crew very... very carefully, and found most of them simply hate your guts. After all, you were the commanding officer group of troublemakers. Nothing more than an abusive buck hiding behind a fancy, bureaucratic title. These young malcontents apparently did not appreciate your rule."

A zebra carrying a chest on his back walked up to the pegasi soldiers and dropped it in front of them, causing it to open up. The pegasi immediately dove at the chest, grabbed what they wanted, and then fell back into formation. Now they were all armed with Sanctuary issue weapons and smiling gleefully, making Flash Nimbus take a couple steps back.

Scorpion took this opportunity to fly up and land on the deck of the ship so he could look down on Flash. "They were kind enough to inform me that you've purposefully been making the repairs take longer than they should have." He watched as Flash became more and more terrified. "Luckily, they've been making wonderful progress without your knowing. I was hoping to tell you this after flying New Hope to Sanctuary, but, I guess delivering you to Her Grace via caravan will just have to suffice."

"N-no, please," Flash begged falling to the ground, wings splayed out on the floor. "I-I-I just..."

"I don't care about your excuses," General Scorpion snarled at him, wings flaring out aggressively. "I know how you reached your rank. The only way you can in the Enclave. By appeasing the government dogs. Her Grace will also like that I'm sending Closure with you. You don't want to know what she did to those few captured Enclave who attacked St. Cream's. What will she do when she sees what happened to a filly you dubbed Subject X-887 EP-PP? Along with a note from Lightning Aurora, you know him as Subject X-22351 UP-PP, detailing his own experiences with you."

Flash was nearly inconsolable. The fear of Her Grace radiating off of him like a tidal wave. General Scorpion smiled leapt back down to the warehouse floor. "Somepony take him away. He's not needed anymore."

While some Sanctuary soldiers quickly took the sobbing stallion away, one of the pegasi that hadn't answered Scorpions whistles flew over tot he respective general with a nervous smile on her face. "Um... General Scorpion, sir?"

"Yes?" Scorpion asked, giving her a look of mild attention.

"Is it too late to join your side?" she asked, her smile growing wider with desperate hope.

Scorpion chuckled and shook his head. "Gear up, filly. You'll make a fine soldier of Sanctuary."

The mare almost collapsed in relief, but managed to fly back and tell the others the good news. Scorpion chuckled to himself. "Just needed to put some things into perspective."

"This has truly been a productive day," Delta said with a nod of acknowledgement to his friend's tact. He would have praised his friend more, but, but a familiar sound drew his attention.

"Hey, Grandpa, I'd like to talk with you."

The Commissar looked to his grandson trotting into the warehouse with an unknown mare practically clinging to his side. He walked over to the colt and looked at him with an unamused expression. "We are in formal settings. Protocols are expected, Short Wave."

Short Wave just snorted dismissively. "Yeah-yeah, throw the book at me."

Delta sighed and shook his head. "Why are you here? You're supposed to be resting in that hospital. Heat stroke is not a laughing matter."

"Neither is an abusive zebra doctor," Short Wave returned with a grunt. "Come on. I'm on the verge of collapsing here. This lovely unicorn beside me, is all that's keeping me standing at the moment." Sham smiled and waved nervously at the Commissar, who gave her an appreciative nod.

"And what's your name?" Delta asked her. He wasn't entirely prepared for the answer.

"I'm Sham, Commissar Delta of Her... augh."

Delta had grabbed the mare by her shoulder and pulled her over to him. He hardly noticed as his grandson fell over, having been supported by the mare. He looked her over with wide eyes. Her candy striped mane and vanilla fur clicked in his memory. "Do you happen to have a twin sister named Shim?"

The bewildered mare could only nod in shock that the famous zebra seemed to know her.

"My word," the commissar said with a smile on his face. "I never thought this would happen. Short Wave, this filly here was at St. Creams, same as you. Daughter of a well-known entrepreneur, if memory serves me right." Sham began to sweat a little. "Short Wave. Pick yourself up in the presence of a mare. Short Wave? Oh, dear. Your grandmother will kill."


*	*	*


"So, by devouring love, you mean you empathically trace ponies' brainwave, stimulated glands inside your body to produce a nectar that you then cough up so you can mix it with a binding agent, such as sugar, flour or salt, to turn it into a life-sustaining honey. Right?" Andromeda had managed to say all that in a single breath, which she found to not be as hard as she would have thought.

"No-no," Missy said, rather deflated with the nonchalance this strange mare had. She couldn't tell if she was fearless, or just plain stupid. Possibly some wonky combination of both. "We need the binding agent ingested first, which then mixes with the nectar produced from the brainwaves, then is coughed up, combined with water and a generous amount of salt."

"So that's why you were hoarding that salt, interesting," Andromeda said thoughtfully. She looked down at her side and smiled a the little filly that had fallen asleep quite some time ago, dreaming small dreams. "Does this also mean that that broth I gave you was pointless?"

Missy shook her head. "No. The veggies gave me some sugars, and the care you gave me was a form of love, so I could produce some nectar and make myself some honey before the trip. Being a changeling with runic powers scrawled on her chitin and tattooed on the inside of pony hides I heal quite fast anyway. Although, using power like I did back there just about burnt out one of my hearts, I'll need to get a new one at some point."

Seeing the confusion on everyponies' faces, she explained it to them. "All the pony parts on my are alive, thanks to some clever medical work, if I do say so myself. But, to keep them alive, I needed a way to make sure blood pumped throughout them properly. The answer came in the form of shifting some of my own organs around and placing in three hearts, doesn't matter if their pony or something I cut out of an abomination. More runes here and there, and there you have it here. The perfect disguise. A pony suit. I look like a normal pony and since I appear to be an alicorn, most thugs will avoid me like the plague. Until I came to this forest, anyway. Stupid Spell Nexus."

"Did he try and hit on you too?" Andromeda asked sympathetically.

Missy stared at her in bewilderment. "What? No! Ugh. He tried to catch me, so he could use my blood to bring back that abomination you're cuddling with."

"Then she promptly stole the pieces of Nightmare Moon and ran," Pintsize said, receiving a jab in the side from Cold for interrupting. "Oof. You know the rest. Oof."

Andromeda laid her head down on her hooves and chuckled. "Why would you need a disguise anyway? You're a changeling, you said you could become anything. Why not transform into an alicorn?"

Missy lowered her head and sighed. "Because my parents needed salt, and so they traded me to a whorehouse when I was only five in exchange for a few bags." She heard Andromeda gasp in horror. "A little operation to restrict my changing abilities, and you have the perfect little tool. Do you have any idea how many caps perverted ponies will pay to bed with a filly who can shift bodily proportions to suit their fantasies?" Then she chuckled darkly. "The corpses I wear are the monument to their sins. For Tartarus hath no fury like a mare scorned."

"Is that why you want to hurt this child?" Mercy asked, her eyes filled with compassion for the mare. "Do you think I would do the same thing as your parents? Do you think I would use a foal in such an abominable act?"

Missy looked her in the eye and shuddered. "I am a dark creature myself, I can understand Nightmare Moons desire to be loved, but have it rejected. It would have been better if my parents had instead ground me up for the salt in my chitin then... that place." She closed her eyes and slumped to the ground, feeling drained all of a sudden. She pulled her wings against her sides and tried to shut everything out.

When she felt something touch her, she opened her eyes and noticed Andromeda's horn glowing, and then the cape she had tossed aside being draped over her back, all the while clocked in the purple aura. She looked back at Andromeda, who smiled.

"Even dark creatures deserve some love, Mrs. Miz-er-obbes," she said kindly. "You just need to accept that. There are many who deserve death, but they must first have a chance at life to choose their path. I believe you," she then gestured to the teenagers, "all of you, have ben given a new lease tonight. Even this filly... who I have yet to name."

"Will-O'-the-Wisp," Cold suddenly piped up, drawing everypony's attention and almost waking the filly. "What? It's a good name."

Pintsize rolled his eyes and shook his head. "A fairy light that lures children out into the woods to be eaten? Great choice. Oof."

Andromeda chuckled at their display and gently stroked the little filly's head. "How about... Wisp. Wisp Willow. That will be her name. Both for her wispy mane, and the willows near the lake where we found her."

Missy actually discovered an unfamiliar warmth well up inside her. "I think that will do fine, Mrs. Something-or-Other."

Andromeda lifted her head in surprise. "What? I thought for sure I told you all my name."


*	*	*


Elsewhere, back where her journey had begun, Hope was still rebuilding itself, it's shape different than how the Ministries had envisioned it, becoming something else. Something new. The pink tendrils had managed to expand the hole, allowing the rocket to lay perfectly on its belly as they dug for more scraps. The white hull was now a dark gray, all the holes were sealed up, and the screen had been completely repaired. It was starting to look less like a rocket now. The mainframe itself had become more elegant as well, no more need of buttons, as it didn't need a pilot anymore. But it was compelled to find one anyway.

--ANALYSIS: HOPE AT 70% CAPACITY---ESTIMATED TIME: AWAITING UPDATE---UPDATE: RUBBER IN LOW SUPPLY---SEARCHING FOR ALTERNATIVE RESOURCE---SPACE CAPTAIN MERCY ANDROMEDA: UNDETECTED---MISSION UPDATE: LOCATE AND RETRIEVE SPACE CAPTAIN ANDROMEDA---PURPOSE: REDEMPTION---
> Chapter Fifteen: Enemies of the State
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Green? Why's everything so... green?"

Naturally, everypony was confused at Missy's comment. The two ex-Marauders, because they'd always lived in Dusky Dale, the Wisp Willow the filly because she was only four days old now, and Andromeda because she still wasn't aware she had been asleep for two hundred years. The four clueless ponies looked out over the treeless field before them, with vague interest.

Grass, fairly sparse and extremely young, was taking root in the once barren soil of the wasteland outside of the wild forest. Even a few dandelions were blooming in the sunlight that had long forsaken the world. Yet, it was all rather dusty from the winds carrying the minute particles through the air.

"It wasn't green when I first came this way," the changeling-in-disguise muttered to herself, stepping forward into the reborn wastes.

Andromeda gave her other three companions a signal to keep quiet and proceeded to match pace with her patch-work friend. "So? You came this way?"

Missy just nodded, checking her revolver and giving the cylinder a little spin. She looked over the alien landscape. Nothing grew here before. Then again, the sun had never shined liked this either. It was a most perplexing phenomenon to her.

Andromeda just shrugged off her friend's oddness. She had been living in an insane forest for quite a while. She herself was fortunate that the silence of space hadn't reduced her to a drooling sponge. But then, she did have some audio tapes from the Ministry Mares, and one with her family's voices to help keep her sane. Speaking of which...

"Peppy," she said, needlessly speaking into her pipbuck's screen, "play audio message number one-five-three-two. I could really use a pick-me-up."

---PLAYING MESSAGE 1532---

"H-hello A-Andromeda. I-it's me, Fluttershy. I-I didn't bring you an-any stories today. I'm sorry. But I'm n-needed elsewhere now. I w-would stay if I could, Andromeda. P-please believe me. But, it's not all bad. N-not really. I've brought you some special guests. Now that things are... we all agreed that you deserve this, Andromeda. Please, as our final parting gift..."


"Honey? I got so worried when you stopped sending letters. Th-they tell me that you're in space now. Heh, your dream come true. I'm sure it's as beautiful as you imagined. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't mad at you making this... big... big decision. You're gone... you've left us alone, and... I don't care about the money they gave us. I want you back. Please. Isn't there anything...?"


"I'm afraid not. I'm so sorry, sir."


"You should be. She should be at home, with her family, playing those games and reading her comics. Not drifting around the world like some second moon, or satellite. Whatever you want to call it. Mercy, honey? I'm sorry, but, I miss you. I've missed you ever so much. All I can think about now is what we can never have anymore. Y-your birthday... it's in just a few weeks. I had everything planned out. We were going to go to that Prench restaurant you always wanted to go to. Le Lune, you know that one with the Ursa Major statue out front? Then I planned on taking you... do you mind, Minister Fluttershy? Just a moment?"


	"Oh? Oh! Yes. O-of Course. Come along you two, lets leave him alone for a little bit. Now-now, please don't cry. If you cry, I won't be able to stop."


Andromeda still found herself blushing bright red at her husband's steamy plans.

"They gave us a reservation in Stable 4. But, it won't be the same without you. Please, Andromeda. Don't be dead. Come back to us."


"Please, sir. There's not that much power left. Finish it up. I-if you don't mind, that is."


"Yes, of course, I'm sorry. Goodbye, Mercy, my love, I hope to see you again someday."


"Please come back to us. I miss you, mommy."


Her daughter's voice still brought tears to her eyes.

---END OF MESSAGE 1532---NO MORE MESSAGES REMAIN---

"I'm coming babies, don't worry," she said under her voice while suppressing the tears that threatened to fall down her face. She gave a sniff and looked about for the little filly she had practically claimed as her own.

She found Wisp doing what one might expect a foal to do when in someplace new. Wander off to explore in wide-eyed wonder.

"Get back here little missy," Andromeda chided as she trotted after the little filly.

Missy rolled her eyes and groaned. "Either stop calling her that, or go back to calling me Mrs. Miserables. It's going to get confusing."

Wisp was investigating a small tuft of young grass at the moment, sniffing it at first, sneezing when dust got up her nose, and then took an experimental lick. It tasted fine, so she quickly began to munch on it. It was tender and juicy, unlike that dry and stingy lichen and pinecones she had been eating in the forest for the past few days. Although there was that one time Mrs. Missy had shared some of her nectar, but it was so acidic everypony gagged.

Poor Mrs. Andromeda had sooth the little filly's food-induced nightmares for two nights. 

Wisp was so lost in thought she hadn't heard the strange mare calling her name. Nor when it rose in alarming volume. But when the shadow fell over her, she looked up and gasped in terror.

Freshly emerged from the ground, dirt and sod falling from it, a metal machine stood over the filly on four hydraulic legs. White with red highlight could be seen in places less obscured by the clinging dirt, which was suddenly sent flying when panels opened up on its sides to reveal the barrels of several large guns. The front of the machine was a glowing yellow light that seemed to be looking directly at the shivering filly. The machine knelt down and brought its "eye" right up into her face.

And then it spoke.

"Dark magic detected," sounded out it's grating, electric tin. "Abomination encroaching upon Republic territory. Solution: Destroy." It's eye turned bright red.

"Not on my watch," Andromeda shouted, whipping out her magical lasso and nabbing the filly about her waist to yank her over. Just in time too, the guns opened up on the spot that had once been occupied. She used a hoof to toss Wisp into the magical grasp of Cold. "You and Pintsize keep moving. Missy and I will catch up after we figure out what's going on here."

"Wait... I have to stay?" Missy asked, her mouth a gape as she looked between Andromeda and the machine. "Stone cliffs and disorganized lunatics are one thing. Solid metal and cannons are completely different." She pouted when Andromeda didn't appear to paying her any mind. "Besides, I'm down a heart."

"You're staying," Andromeda hissed at her, eyes never leaving the machine.

"Yes, mother," Missy hissed under her breath. She really wanted to run, but after spending a few days with this mare, she found it best, if not avoidable, to listen. Either Andromeda was somehow drugging her, our her very presence made ponies braver. She really wanted to lean towards the former.

"Changeling detected. Dark creatures will not be tolerated. Stand aside, citizen, it will be eliminated."

Andromeda quickly through up a wall of DMCs in front of her friend, stopping the heavy ballistics that would have reduced her to vapors. Even as this happened, she mused over the fact that it had called her a citizen. It had to be Equestrian than. Although, she had never heard of large robots anywhere in the newspapers. If it was guarding the edge of the forest, then it couldn't have been a secret. There were more questions, but she was only interested in one.

As soon as it stopped firing, analyzing it's ballistics to be useless against the magic shield, she shouted at it in an angry tone.

"I am Space Captain Mercy Andromeda of Her Majesty's Space Command. Do you recognize the name?"

The robot turned it's eye upon her, turning green. "Mercy Andromeda recognized. Deceased. No such rank acquired. Space Command not recognized. Nonexistent. Conclusion..."

WHANG

"I'm not dead," Mercy shrieked as she lifted a rock in her magic and hurled it at the machine. She felt the blood rise in her face as hot tears of frustration started to roll down her cheeks. Peppy was annoying enough, but now something else was declaring her dead. It was simply too much.

---WARNING: STRESS LEVELS RISING--- ADMINISTERING TESTOSTERONE--- SUGGESTION: MAINTAIN SANITY---

"Shut up. You're bad enough, Peppy," Andromeda hissed, the testosterone hardly effecting her system. "Your broken, but this machine should be able to tell to dead and living apart. I don't need some... thing else telling me that I'm dead."

"Not to put a damper on things," Missy said nervously, still not all that used to Andromeda talking to thin air. "But, I think you made it mad."

Andromeda looked back at the machine to see that it's light had turned yellow. "Stand down, citizen. This message will not be repeated. Surrender the changeling and await authorities. The New Canterlot Republic will not tolerate further insubordination."

That caught Andromeda by surprise. She had about the New Canterlot Republic several times in space, but hadn't expected them to be this advanced. The fact that they had a giant killer robot patrolling Equestria that had tried to kill two of her companions, one of which was just a foal, without hesitation, made her blood boil even more.

"Tell the Republic that they can... Buck. Me. Sideways." She took a portion of the DMC wall and formed it into an arrowhead, which she sent rocketing at the machine. The arrowhead vanished before it struck the machine, leaving it unharmed.

"Uuuuuh? What?" a flabbergasted Mercy wheezed out in shock.

---DIGITAL MAGIC CUBES CANNOT EFFECT PONIES---

"What?" Andromeda asked again, even more confused. "That's not a pony."

"New Canterlot Republic alerted, you now marked as an enemy of the Republic," the robot announced, its eyes turning red.

"Can we run now?" missy quipped hopefully.

"Buck. Me. Sideways." Andromeda said, as if saying it again might mean more than it had before.


*	*	*


Pintsize and Cold ran side-by-side, the filly clinging to the older unicorn's mane for dear life. The two ex-marauders were even faster now they were out in the open without trees and other annoying flora blocking their paths, and an almost literal dust storm was following in their wake from the amount of soil they kicked up. The fact that they no longer had long metal spikes in their legs that threatened to slice them apart aided considerably in their efforts.

"W-what was that thing?" Wisp cried out, looking back the way they had come, the cloud and hills obscuring her line of sight.

"Big," Cold summed up quite simply.

Pintsize had a little more to offer. "Ugly, tough, and full of teeth."

BLAM

The two teenagers came to a skidding halt, Cold catching Wisp in her magic as the filly almost flew off. Somepony had just fired at them, the bullet having fallen short of Pintsize by a mere few inches. Cold set the filly down and stood over her protectively, using her magic to summon a weak barrier. Pintsize stood beside her, baring his sharp teeth in aggression.

"Okay," Cold said, scanning the environment as best she could for the shooter, "best bet?"

There was a sudden clicking noise, sounding suspiciously like a shotgun being pumped behind them. "Kneeling sounds a good idea."

Cold rolled her eyes and lowered her shield turning around to see a griffon, covered a fibrous cape the same color as the terrain, leveling the shotgun at her. She smirked coyly at him, causing him to take a step back.

"What are planning?" the griffon demanded sharply, pressed the butt of the gun tightly against his shoulder. He began to shake with the dark outline of a smiley face seemed to appear on her face, the earth pony quickly following suit. It became terrifying when the two small ponies showed off their teeth. "What the unholy...?"

Pintsize was faster than the griffon's words. The earth pony used a hind leg to knock the shotgun barrel up, a shot going off in the process, and then used the metal studs on his forelegs to club the griffon into a daze. Then, he spun around behind the creature, locked his hind legs about it's neck and leaned backwards, pulling him to the ground. From that position he would be safe from the unseen sniper and half his hostage in a death-grip. He struck the griffon once between the eyes with a front hoof to render him unconscious.

During the short skirmish, Cold had used her magic to throw up a dust cloud to block the sniper's line of sight, and then slip into the hole she had made in the process, pulling Wisp in with her. For all intents and purposes, she and the filly were invisible to the world, and Pintsize was safe underneath the griffon's body.

"Alright," called out a voice in the distance. "You've made us look like amateurs. Our pal better not be dead, or we'll bring out the artillery."

"A dead hostage is useless," Cold replied loudly without ever lifting her head up out of the hole. "You should be grateful we're in a hurry, or you'd be..."

"Dead?" a close-by voice finished for her.

Cold yelped and turned her head to see a tall earth pony stallion in a black suit, hat, and red tie, an SMG slung over his back as he sat right next to the hole without a care in the world. He smiled at her behind a pair of dark-tinted sunglasses and chuckled. Then he saw Wisp and in a bit.

Cold snapped at him, her sharp teeth narrowly missing his face, and threw a leg about the filly. She growled at the stallion viciously. "Don't. Touch. Her."

"I see," the stallion said with a smile, clearing his throat. "Dusky Dale's famous Marauders. A little far from the forest aren't you?"

Cold suddenly felt a sickness inside her chest. There was no way this could be the sniper. His stealth skill surpassed even her own. Perhaps he had a stealthbuck. The fact he was acting so nonchalant indicated that he had more backup, and the lack of armor showed he had confidence in his allies' ability.

"We're not Marauders anymore," she hissed at him, deciding to show a form of submission by lowering her head and folding back her ears.

The stallion shrugged and scanned the hole from some unknown reason. "Doesn't really matter to me. I've done worse things."

Cold tightened her grip on Wisp, eliciting a little grunt from her. The stallion noticed this and chuckled nervously.

"N-not that I still do such thing, mind you," he said defensively, shaking his hooves rapidly in protest. "What's done cannot be undone. But it can be covered up and forgotten. Right?"

Cold shook her head. "It can never be forgotten."

The stallion's face darkened and he looked away from her, taking a deep breath. "Whatever. Tell your coltfriend to release our companion. Then we'll settle our accounts."

Doing what they were told, Cold and Pintsize watched in fascination as several other ponies seemed to appear out of nowhere, wearing the same camouflage as the griffon. The newcomers barely paid any attention two the three young ponies as they scanned the surrounding area with their guns while two others proceeded to make the hole the Cold had made just a little deeper.

The teenagers and Wisp sat down and watched curiously. Then a new pony appeared, an earth pony mare with a long rifle attached to a military-spec battlesaddle, dragged a large sack behind her. The two teenagers watched with wide eyes as the other ponies all moved away from the hole and watched the horizons as the mare untied the rope holding the sack to her flank and gave it a firm buck so that it fell into the hole. Then she used her magic to shove dirt into the hole, covering up what they hoped would be forgotten.

The stallion in the suit approached the teenagers again with a smile. "I hope we didn't cause you any undue harm .You see... we were just trying to get you to run somewhere else. Wouldn't do to have other, more reputable ponies mentioning this. We kind of figured, that since you were unarmed, you wouldn't try and fight. Then, when I got close, my sneak skill is pretty good isn't it, heehee, I noticed the faded markings you have... and the teeth. Those were a dead giveaway."

Pintsize and Cold looked at each other uncomfortably. He was right. Though the tattoos were fated, they did have a tendency to flare up in moments of excitement. Their teeth were a whole other story. It would be almost impossible to cover up their pasts with those defining marks.

"I am terribly sorry to put you through this trouble, we meant no harm any of you," the stallion continued, the ponies behind him nodded in confirmation. "It's just your lot in life that Raiders are hard to scare off. Once a lunatic, always a little crazy. Oh, I'm sorry, Marauders, not Raiders."

Pintsize shrugged. "Either/or." That earned him a few laughs.

"Well, anyway, I would like to make it up to you three. You're trying to escape your pasts, right?"

The teenagers nodded. Wisp, on the other hoof was looking at the shiny rifle the earth pony mare carried. It was a piece of art, actually. Floral acid etching, brass highlights, a holly stock, and a scope with emerald lenses. The mare noticed the filly's attention and moved to the back of the group, not wanting the filly to get any ideas about touching her precious gun. Wisp let out a disappointed sigh and looked back at the stallion in the suit. He was rather handsome. Why was she blushing?

"Then I guess we owe you a little something, right?" the stallion said, looking back at his companions, who sparsely nodded. The mare simply ignored him. He looked back at the teenagers. "Plus, you helped us did that hole. A favor for a favor."


*	*	*


With the DMC's usefulness taken down to non-lethal countermeasures and defensive shields, Andromeda was content to switch to her energy pistols. She had tried to throw magic spears and such at multiple angles and places around the machine, but they all vanished. Peppy was almost no help. The Rampage chemical was out of the question. As it would most likely expire before she ever found a weak point on the machine. The energy weapons scorching the metal, but seemed to do little else.

Missy wasn't fairing much better either. They had caught on quickly in the battle that the machine could only target one of them at a time, picking what appeared to be the biggest threat first. Namely: Mercy Andromeda. This gave the changeling a chance to explore the machine strengths and weaknesses while the strange mare held it off. But, just in case, she kept her little attacks spaced out so as not to draw attention to herself.

Her armor piercing bullets were a vast improvement over Mercy's energy blasts. Making small dents in the armor, except the eyes. Which might have been made of the same material as Mercy's helmet. That was almost nostalgic. Thankfully the deflected rounds missed her.

The hydraulic legs might be damaged, but they moved too much for her to get a clear shot. The exhaust ports were on the underside, which was too low for her to crawl under, and the heat being generated might have fried her anyway. The feet of the machine were set on ball-and-socket joints that allowed them to conform with the terrain, making tripping it a problem. Clogging the guns with a rock or her mucus had been attempted, but the machine seemed to have sensors for such things and would pump air into the obstructed barrels to blow out the foreign object.

It was becoming a real test on her patience.

Andromeda was feeling the strain as well. Not physically, but it was becoming a rather dull battle. Back in the day, before Ministries, she had played many a tabletop roleplaying game(saying RPG just sounded too casual), and those boss battle against steel golem kings and dragons were more exciting than this machine. Sometimes reality was a quite the letdown.

A metal foot slamming into her shield brought her back to the "letdown" of a reality, and she noticed that the machine was now attempting a different tactic. It was no longer firing its cannons at her impervious shield. Instead it was battering it with it's metal legs.

"Citizen, stop resisting arrest," it spoke. That made Andromeda mad.

"I am a not citizen of the Republic," she shouted, dividing her shield into section and hitting the metal armor, even though the restriction didn't allow much force behind the blows.

"I swore loyalty to the princesses as a filly." She grabbed several rocks in her magic and hurled them at the machine.

"I swore loyalty to them in my youth." She pulled her shields in close and lashed out with a hoof. The earth pony talismans allowed that single strike to make the armor ring.

"I stood there when my daughter swore loyalty." She caught the two front legs in the DMCs, lifting them up so she could strike at the underbelly, the suit keeping her safe.

"I swore loyalty when I was drafted." The machine staggered back a couple steps and seemed to stare at her, the eye turning yellow.

"I am a citizen of Equestria, and you are my enemy." Mercy, blinded with rage, leapt forward, twisted around, and drove both her hind legs into the eye of the machine, shattering it.

Missy watched all of this with rapt attention. never before had she heard anypony speak so passionately from the heart. This was short-live, however, because the machine, now blind, began shooting and kicking out in all directions. She spread her wings and lifted off into the air, to avoid the cannon fire.

"Stupid mare," she muttered, all respect now gone for the moment.

Mercy, however was not listening. She was right in the middle of the beast. Blocking with her shields, kicking with her hooves and firing her pistols. All the while, Peppy begged for her to stop.

---SUGGESSTION: MAINTAIN SANITY--- SUGGESTION: MAINTAIN SANITY--- MAINTAIN SANITY---MAINTAIN SANITY--- MAINTAIN SANITY--- ERROR--- ERROR--- ERROR--- ERROR---

Andromeda dove beneath the creature, firing all four pistols up into the belly and exhaust pipes as she slid along on her back. The exhaust vents were already superheated, so that hadn't accomplished much. Her next strategy was to lock all fours legs about one of the machine's legs and fire into the hydraulics. That had a noticed effect.

The hydraulics became hot and bent under the machines own weight. It was now limping pathetically like a wounded spider.

The pistols needed a recharge after that last attack. So she took the opportunity to clamber atop of the machine, throw a magic lasso about another leg and pull. Unfortunately, the talismans needed a recharge as well, and she wound up yanking herself forward. She landed on her back, gazing up at the writhing legs of the beast, one of which moved over her head and started to come down.

She was fairly confident her helmet would survive the impact, but someone else didn't seem to think so.

"Gotcha," a speedy griffon said as he snatched her up in his talons and blasted away with a single beat of his wings, just mere moments before he might've gotten crushed.

Andromeda was still sore at the machine, but being saved by a brave male out of the blue from the jaws of a monster was probably a once in a lifetime opportunity. She took it quite well.

"My hero," she said with a broad smile, hugging the griffon's neck dramatically. She almost burst out laughing at the uncomfortable look on his face.

"Uuuuh, yeah," he said, prying her off and setting her behind a rock. "You stay here, we'll take care of the rest."

"We?" Mercy watched as the griffon flew back to the fray and peered over the rock at the scene. Her eyes widened in awe when she saw Pintsize and Cold leading a group of ponies over a hill at the machine. It was almost like something she had read in a book once. All that was missing was the sun at their backs. "Oh well, can't have everything."

Then a thought occurred to her. "Where's my Wisp?"


*	*	*


A mottled blue and white in coloration, the female sniper brought up the extendable arm on her battlesaddle so that all she had to do was tilted her head over to peer through the custom-made enchanted gem lenses. The perfect polish of the gems, grown by pre-war rock-farmers, allowed her to count every scratch on the surface of the NCR machine. The reigns-trigger held in her mouth, she took a deep breath and waited for her heart to beat. There it was.

BLAM

The bullet tore through the air, right between two of her companions, she knew they could feel the wind from it, and then impacted on the hydraulics of another leg, ripping a hole right through it. The hydraulic fluids spurted out and the leg became noticeably weaker. Self-loading always paid off.

"Wow, what a shot," Wisp squealed in glee, clapping her hooves together enthusiastically. She was peering through a spotter's scope, the grown mare had set it up for her on a tripod to keep her happy, and twenty yards away from her beloved gun. "Mrs. Mizobz couldn't even shoot like. Where'd you learn how to do that?"

The mare groaned and lifted a silent prayer to the heavens. "In a very quiet place. Now shut up and let me shoot things."

"Okay," Wisp said with a smile, never taking her eyes off the scene below. "Could you teach me how to shoot like that?"

"Dammit," the mare groaned. She had almost pulled the trigger, which would have been catastrophic. For her ego that is. She looked at the filly and scowled. "Perhaps. But first you would need to learn what happens on the other end of The Light. Personally."

"Why did you call your gun 'The Light'," wisp asked, giving a quick, envious glance at the beautiful gun.

"Cause that's what you walk towards when I pull the trigger."

BLAM

Another hydraulic down.

"What light?" Wisp asked curiously.

"Maker give me strength."


*	*	*


Pintsize chucked a newly-gained grenade towards the machine. The explosion was unique compared to the dynamite they used in Dusky Dale. It was less flash, and more boom, sending shrapnel in all directions. It was almost beautiful. A round from the machine's cannons hitting close by gave him cause to keep moving.

Cold was enjoying her shotgun. The griffon had given it to her so that he could be lighter as he flew ahead to assist their friends. It was well taken care of, with a smooth pump-action, and no rust to make an annoying grating sound when the expelling a used shell. It was also using slugs, rather than buckshot, which slammed into the armor with extreme prejudice. Coupled with a more focused barrier, her battle-effectiveness was tripled.

The other ponies milled about in coordinated groups, keeping away from the front end, while also making sure to avoid crossfire. The suited stallion used his SMG to target the metal feet, knocking the joints all over the place so that they would catch on rocks and mounds of dirt it had kicked up. He paused a moment to switch magazines, when he felt the wind of a bullet blow past his face. He just smiled and watched as a second leg was crippled.

With both back legs crippled, the machine was a sitting duck, and both Cold and Pintsize knew how to kill ducks. As one, they rushed the machine, Cold pumping another slug into the barrel, and Pintsize pulling the pin on another grenade. They ran up the backside of the armor, running towards the front, then they leapt forward, twisting about to the they were sailing backwards. Pintsize chucked the grenade hard, causing it to lodge between a couple barrels and the armored hull. Cold levitated her shotgun over in front of another one of the barrels on the other side and pulled the trigger.

Cold's shot had forced an expansion in in one of the machine's guns, keep the bullet from leaving the barrel as the primer was struck. The resulting explosion cracked the armor and guns on that side.

Pintsize's grenade exploded, bending the barrels at crazy angles, resulting in more explosions, absolutely shattering the armor on his side and almost making the entire machine rollover. Two final two legs gave out and it collapsed to the ground.

The two ex-marauders skidded along the ground on their backs and gave each other a hoofbump.

Cold expelled the used shell and blew nonchalantly into the barrel before getting up. "Well. I guess a little good does come evil."

"I still would have preferred a different upbringing," Pintsize muttered as he too got up and looked a the smoking machine. "I hope we never fight another one of those again."

"Great. Now you've jinxed us," Cold groaned.

The other ponies and the griffon cheered the two, stomping the ground in recognition and respect. To which the teenagers blushed, unused to being praised, at all. Not sure how to react, they just trotted back to the group to give back their borrowed equipment. But a pink,, red, white, and blue blur knocked them off their hooves.

"You stupid foals," Mercy berated them even as she hugged them in a maternal fashion. "Don't ever do something as stupid and reckless ever again. But I'm just so glad you're both safe."

"Are you their mother?" asked the suited stallion, giving her curious expression. She was a strange thing to look at.

Andromeda looked at the stallion and blushed. "Oh, no-no-no-no. I'm just their... caretaker. Couldn't be prouder of them even if they were mine." She then turned back to glare at the two cringing teenagers in her embrace. "But just because I'm proud of you does not mean it was okay to endanger yourselves like that. Got it?"

They both nodded quickly. Their mothers had been evil, but Mrs. Andromeda would have been a scary mother.

"By the way, where's Wisp?"

The suited stallion answered for them. "She's with Blueberry Strudel. Sniper enthusiast and my wife."

Andromeda was mature enough not to make a joke about his wife having the bigger gun. "She's good with kids?"

"She's warming up to them," the stallion managed to force out with a mostly straight face.


*	*	*


Blueberry Strudel levitated the little filly a short distance behind her as she walked towards group in the distance. "I am calm, I am collected, children are not evil. I am calm, I am collected, children are not evil. I am calm, I am collected, children are not evil. I am calm, I am collected, children are not evil. I am calm, I am collected, children are not evil."
> Chapter Sixteen: Andromeda's Strain: PART I
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Just so you know, I blame you for this."

"Just how is this my fault?" Andromeda asked the sour-looking changeling to her right. The magical energy holding her in place on the floor only gave her a limited view of the small metal cell they were in, only allowing her to see the windowless door and her companion. The only light came from their bonds and the only outside noise was the wind coming through the vent in the ceiling.

"Well," Missy began, thinking for a moment, "Let's see. You decided to stand and fight a giant machine when you could have just run away like I suggested. Your shield is impervious for crying out loud." Andromeda blushed a bit, she still hadn't told anypony it was a high form of technomancy, considering it classified by the Ministries for now. "You then went and dragged me into the fight. Then overreacted to it calling you a citizen of the republic, declaring all of us enemy's of the state, while at the same time giving time for that thing to call for back-up."

"It's not my fault you stayed," Andromeda snapped at her, wanting to cross her legs in front of her chest, but found herself unable to move.

"Uh, no I couldn't," the changeling spat angrily. "You're stupid geass doesn't let anypony disobey an order from you? I mean, For crying out loud, when we first met I would have shot you sooner. But your stupid little spell kept my magic still until you got angry and lost some control. Lucky me, I guess, probably would have wound up shooting myself and you wouldn't have healed me."

Missy looked over at Andromeda and was taken aback by the alarmed confusion in her eyes. "Um... why do you look like you have no idea what I'm talking about?" It took another moment for things to fall into place. "Oh my bucking flank. No... your bucking clueless flank, face, and brain. You don't even know you're doing it, do you?"

"Doing what?" Andromeda demanded, really not sure what her companion was talking about. "I don't know any mind-control spells. I'm a housewife, for crying out loud. I know a bushel spells for entertaining guests, foals, and heightening my husband's arousal when I'm in a really frisky mood... or when he asks. I'm a good wife."

Missy stared at the strange mare with wide eyes. "A housewife?"

Andromeda gave a look and snorted. "What? That's what surprises you? Not the fact I'm a straight nymphomaniac?" She shook her head and looked away from her friend. "If I knew any mind-control spells, you could be sure I'd have a very quiet house with no relatives that come for surprise visits. And certainly no nosey mother-in-law."

Missy was still locked in surprise. There was too much sincerity in Andromeda's voice and words for it to be a lie. "Just... um. Mercy, look at me. I said look at me?"

Andromeda complied with a sigh and gave her a long scowl that went ignored.

"How have you kept your hair so perfect this entire time?"

"Passive glammer enchantments inside the collar of my suit," Andromeda said matter-of-factly. then a thought suddenly struck her, one that she didn't like. "Are you saying my suit..."

"...Is infused with some other spells you're unaware of?" Missy finished for her with a nod. "Yes. Now, I have to know. Where did you get it?"

Andromeda shut her mouth tight and looked at the door, closing her eyes tightly. She wanted to tell her friend where she had gotten the suit, but she couldn't break her oath. She was a loyal citizen who desired the well-being of Equestria, no matter what it cost her. Her new friendship... even if that friendship may have been made in a less than ethical way with this new theory. The more she thought about it, the more it was starting to make sense. Everypony was nice to her at Command, even that stallion she had punched her first day. In fact, everypony seemed to go out of their way to make sure she was doing well. But, there were times she wasn't wearing the suit and they acted the same. What had happened previous to receiving...

"The neural talismans," she suddenly blurted out in sudden realization. Unbeknownst to her, she had actually frightened Missy with her sudden outburst.

"What's wrong with you?" Missy demanded. "You were silent for almost an hour, and then you start shouting. It didn't even look like you were breathing."

"The talismans the doctors injected into my brain," Andromeda blurted out before realizing what she was saying. She bit her lip and looked at Missy who started to look worried on a number of levels.

"So you're saying you're a lab freak on top of everything else?" The changeling was beginning to sound as if she were at her wit's end. It was bad enough this mare was wandering Equestria with some sort of unrestrained passive geass, but now she was starting to sound more like a machine than a pony. Talismans in her head? For crying out loud.

Andromeda seemed to be lost in her own thoughts at the moment, not hearing her friend's words. "Maybe it's an unintentional side effect, or maybe some sort of cosmic ray hit them. Cosmic nothin', that place was full of radiation. And that stupid pink gas that was leaking everywhere, and..."

"What?" Missy suddenly shrieked in terror, attempting to move away from the strange mare. But the magical bonds held her firm, making her struggles futile and slightly entertaining.

This carried on for a couple minutes with Andromeda utterly confused as to what brought upon this sudden bought of horror. The only other time she'd seen her friend this terrified was after she had shot herself. Not even collapsing the prospect of being buried alive in a landslide, or fighting a giant robot had shaken her this much.

"Feeling better now?" Mercy asked sympathetically. Missy hadn't so much as calmed down, as she more than likely had merely exhausted herself from the intense struggle she had put up.

"Get away from me," Missy managed to wheeze out, her lungs sore from the screaming. Andromeda took a look around, confused as to why no guards had shown up. Perhaps a soundproofing spell. But why soundproof a cell?

"I would love to be able to move," she said in a soothing tone, "but, seeing as we're both in the same predicament, and something is obviously wrong with you, I'm staying right here. Please, tell me what's wrong. I am your friend after all."

"You're a geassed, absurdly-dressed, undead, lab rat of a lunatic, that's what's wrong," Missy snapped, struggling again.

"I'd smack some sense back into you if I could move," Andromeda muttered in exasperation. Why was her friend acting like she was in the same room as an armed bio-weapon?

It was at that point that the cell door opened and in filed three ponies. Two of whom wore a kind of light armor with what looked to be Ministry Mare Applejack's cutie mark on the flank plates. That really made the wheels turn in Mercy's head. Their heavy battle saddles were equipped with a shotgun each and stun lances. Between the two stoic soldiers was a silver pegasus with a black and white striped mane and tail in a clean labcoat. This pegasus seemed to soak up all the attention in the room just by his appearance, and those golden eyes staring out from behind a pair of goggles didn't help his creepy appearance anymore either. He was grinning like a pervert on a sugar high.

"I don't think I'm young enough to your liking," Andromeda muttered without thinking, her eyes locking upon that face.

She had apparently said something meaningful as the two armored ponies looked between each other and the pegasus. The pegasus himself just laughed and shrugged it off. Missy, on the other hoof, found herself now wanting to lean closer to her companion, the pegasus was terrifying her.

"Oh, I am going to have so much fun with you two," he said, leaning down and tapping Mercy's helmet with a hoof in consideration. His ears twitched violently as though he were hearing something painful. "Interesting. Sub-corporeal sapphire-silver lamination lens. I thought that was only a theory, an aloof fantasy of over-eager grad-students."

---STRESS DETECTED---ADMINISTRING TESTOSTERONE---

Andromeda turned towards Peppy with a scowl. "Not now, Peppy. I'm in the middle of an interrogation."

The pegasus turned his attention to the pipbuck. His eyes went wide at the sight of it. "Impossible. No... where'd you get that?"

Andromeda growled. "It was a gift from some dear friends." The word friends was actually starting to taste sour on her tongue. If she was really unconsciously manipulating ponies to like her, then could she really call them friends? Circumstances being what they were or not, she wasn't going to give this stallion any satisfaction.

The pegasus turned back to look Andromeda in the eyes, scowling menacingly. "Don't you dare play games with me, little mare. I think we both know what that is. I suggest you surrender it."

---UNABLE TO COMPLY---

Both the unicorn and the pegasus looked at the purple words displayed on the helmet's surface. The pegasus seemed capable of reading backwards just fine. His smile broadened considerably. "I knew it." He drew himself back up to his full height and spread his wings in a jovial display.

"It's magically bonded to you," he declared aloud with a self-satisfied chuckle. "Oh that is truly precious."

Andromeda's face twisted in confusion. "Uuuuh... what? Are you okay? You seem a little..."

"Insane?"

All eyes turned on Missy, who was biting her lips in terror at what she had just blurted out. Her breathing became shallow as the pegasus wings folded back against his sides and he shifted his stance to look her right in the eye. She held her breath when he used a hoof to lift up his goggles and lean his head forward until their muzzles were touching. She kept staring into his narrowed golden eyes that seemed to pierce her own like daggers. The tension could have been cut with a knife.

"I was going to say outright bonkers," Andromeda piped up in the silence. She held back on looking concerned as she got the reaction she had intended. The stallion's attention was now fixed upon her again. Whatever he had intended for her friend was now swayed a different direction. Whatever he could deal out, she was sure she could handle as long as she was locked inside the suit.

The pegasus' mouth curled up into a grin, surprising both the mares, and making the two soldiers jerk a little, their faces unseen beneath the helmets. "Oh, little fillies. It's so nice to see your healthy loyalties to each other. Quite refreshing, considering the other abominations we get in here. It'll also make the interrogations all the easier."

"In-interrogations?" Missy squeaked out in terror.

"Of course," the pegasus returned with a chuckle. "You both ensured those criminals got away safely, along with a living abomination of dark magic." He leaned close to Missy with a smirk. "With a changeling to boot." He tilted his head curiously. "The anti-magic field should have made you change back. Do you possess some artifact or anti-anti-magic spell? If you're willing to comply, I can make the experiments and interrogations go a little more... pleasurable..."

Missy growled and spat a glob of green mucus upon the stallion's face, baring her teeth in rabid aggression. "I'd sooner masturbate with a hoof full of rusty screws."

The pegasus reached up with a hoof and peeled the quickly hardening mucus off his face and stuffed it into a breast pocket. "In the name of science, that can be arranged, madam."

The two soldiers activated their lances and moved to shock Missy, who was struggling harder than ever to get away from them. But before they could reach her, a sound not usually heard started to echo throughout the cell. All eyes, wide in shock, turned to the mare in the costume.

She was laughing her head off.

It wasn't some jolly laugh either. It was a malevolent and sharp sound, full of vengeance and spite. The mare turned her head to look at the pegasus, her eyes suddenly flickering green and red, almost too quick for them to see. But her grin, cruel and full of wrath, remained upon her face, causing the soldiers to take a step back.

"You're one of those stallions that likes taking advantage of helpless mares," she voice a deep hiss. "There is only one stallion who managed to pierce this armor. I turned down his proposals and buried him under a mountain of stone and dirt. Imagine what I'll do to you, who would dare go after a mare in chains."

"She's hardly a mare," the pegasus exclaimed with a roll of his eyes. "This is a changeling. A monster that can hide anywhere and make you think..."

Andromeda was still laughing. "That may be, but Missy has proven herself a loyal friend to me. Save a couple rough disagreements we've had," she remembered their first meeting and her reaction to Wisp, "she has always come through, even when it wasn't expected."

"Oh really?" the stallion asked, leaning in closer and narrowing his eyes. "Did she do it of her own volition, or does she have to do it?"

Andromeda was shocked. It was almost as if he had heard her and Missy's entire conversation. The thought of holding a geass over somepony made her stomach twist in sickness.

With a snort, the pegasus turned back to the door, signaling the two soldiers to follow. "We'll find out soon enough. We'll be arriving at Spectra Labs soon enough, and I, Doctor Atmosphere, will take great pleasure in ripping that magnificent piece of technology off your body."

With that, the door was slammed shut, leaving the two friends alone.

Andromeda scowled darkly and her eyes flashed again, this time a puff of ethereal purple smoke crawling out as well. "That was strange. It was as if he just came in to gloat, give us a bunch of information, including his name, and just leave. Why?"

"Who cares why?" Missy demanded, terror still emanate in her voice.

"At least you're not scared to death of me anymore," Andromeda said with a sigh. She was slightly relieved at that. It would have been a terrible thing to try and escape with an insane companion. "I was starting to worry that imprisonment had broken your brain."

"Okay, fine," the changeling muttered, "you brought up some good points. You're just about indestructible, and that stupid cult leader managed to get a drop of blood from you without becoming a gurgling pile of mush, so obviously your suit probably kept the gas from reaching your flesh." She huffed and looked away. "I guess being strapped down has gotten me on edge."

"Oh?" Andromeda asked, giving her a sympathetic look. "Care to elaborate?"

Missy looked at her and then at the space between her hooves and sighed. "Fine. Might as well. At the Miserables, being strapped down wasn't exactly an uncommon thing for me."

"Wait," Andromeda said, tilting her head in confusion. "You named yourself after a brothel? After a whorehouse? I thought you were married to..."

"A strange customer's weird fetish," Missy said quickly with a horrifying cringe, shifting her eyes around rapidly. "Don't ask."

Andromeda really wanted to know, while at the same time really hoping she never would.

"To continue," her friend said, clearing her throat, "the last night there, the last night I'd been strapped down. There were three mares, barely out of fillyhood, triplets also, came in to celebrate their birthday. They wanted to do something really special. It was... it... was... I-I can't."

"You don't have to," Andromeda said comfortingly. "If it hurts to much, I never... ever want to hear it. Never feel forced to reveal your own personal secrets."

"No. You've done so much for me that you don't even know. You deserve to know at least a little," Missy shuddered and then swallowed. "What I said to that pegasus, about rusty screws... yeah. They wanted something really special."

Andromeda gasped in horror. "They didn't."

"And more," Missy growled as hot tears began to form in her eyes from the painful memory. Then a smile formed and her face grew dark. "But when that one brought the knife to a certain point, I jerked the ropes, cutting myself free, and killed everyone, took their skins, and then set the place ablaze to reduce their sins to ashes."

"I'm so sorry for you," Andromeda said, lowering her eyes to the floor. "That really must have lowered your opinion of us ponies quite a bit, living the way you did."

Missy nodded and sighed with a faraway look on her face. "Until I met a mare who could look death in the face and scold it like a foal with his hoof caught in the cookie jar." She looked at Andromeda and managed a good-natured chuckle. "And what of your opinion on changelings?"

Andromeda didn't waste a second. "Rude, angsty, violent, and willing to sell each other out. And that's just one third of the changelings I've heard about. Your parents on the other hoof... eh, they really bring down my opinion. So I won't hold the bar too high for you."

Missy gave mock grunt of anger and lightly punched her friend on the shoulder. Then she froze and stared at her now-free hoof, touching the padded shoulder of her friend. Her eyes met those of one smiling mare.

"How...?" she found a boot inserted in her mouth.

"Shhhh," Mercy said, holding her other hoof up to her mouth in a maternal gesture. She brought up a single, tiny digital cube of magic.

"I've been jimmying this under the floor ever since he left," she whispered with a touch of schoolfilly glee. "Couldn't be sure when somepony might barge in, so I held off on it, but once they left I, figured it was perfect timing."

"But-but," Missy gaped in amazement. "How did you do that? The binding spell disabled our magic."

"That's right," Andromeda chuckled as she stood up and stretched out her vertebrae. All of them popped like a telescope. Such simple pleasures. "But my suit has magic of it's own. Handy little work-around, dontcha think?"

"Where'd you learn that?" Missy asked as she too got up. "I'm sorry, but you never struck me as the smartest mare in the world."

Andromeda shrugged it off. "Eh, Batmane, issue forty-seven. When Batmane was trapped the Jesters, bound in chains in a pit that was slowly filled with water. He broke off a piece of his utility belt and picked the locks, beat up the Jester, and saved Goatham City."

"Comic books?" Missy deadpanned as she flapped her wings up tot he vent on the ceiling and began working at it. She had seen a few in her life. Plus there was always that customer that wanted to do some role-playing.

"You'd be surprised at what you could learn," the strange mare said as she formed some large DMCs, and stacked them atop of each other to form a staircase she could climb up.

Soundproof cells were great idea if a pony wanted a quiet ship, and no pony would hear if a particularly attractive prisoner was being taken advantage of, or tortured for information. It didn't, however, make for a very good idea when it made prisoners' activities go unnoticed. But then, no pony ever thought that the bindings were escapable.

All the same, Andromeda caught the vent cover in her magic before it hit the floor, just in case life planned on flipping them the metaphorical birdie.

Missy full up into the ventilation and then turned around and offered a hoof to her friend, who quickly took it and was pulled up. "You're lighter than you look, you know."

Mercy rolled her eyes and scrunched up her face. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Missy gave a small laugh, and then held up a hoof to her lips to indicate they should be silent now. Both ponies activated their horns to light the way and crouched down to move quietly through the dusty ducts, leaving behind the empty cell. The airship rocked gently as they sought out an escape.
> Chapter Seventeen: Andromeda's Strain PART II
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surrounded in a purple aura, a vent cover was lowered to the ground with hardly a click. Soon following it was one Missy gliding on her silent wings, and Andromeda descending a spiral staircase of DMCs. The good captain was getting quite artistic in her spare time. The cramped hammocks told them exactly where they were.

"Crew quarters, huh?" Andromeda mused, looking about in search of anypony still sleeping. The hammocks were all empty. A slight pity, a little information would have useful. "This isn't a huge ship. This could very well be the sleeping quarters for the entire ship. Minus the captain and officers. And that... Dr. Atmosphere. Tell, me, can a Pegasus fly with only wing?"

Missy looked over at her friend in time to see the wisps of purple smoke vanish from around her eyes. "Are you... feeling okay?"

Andromeda's eyes flared up again, when she looked at her friend. "Never better. Just feeling a little... upset... at the moment. Why do you ask?"

Missy had never seen such a magical reaction. And the invisible corona that the strange mare was giving off was making her horn itch something awful. "I may only have known you for a few days, but... you're acting a little stranger than normal."

The red in Andromeda's eyes glowed brightly for a moment, and then became extinguished. "Well, I guess things are just getting to me. I mean, I had to leave behind a couple of good friends and my new daughter. I mean, it probably would have been worse if you hadn't decided to stay behind with me to hold off the NCR. Er, that is, if you hadn't been geassed into..."

Missy held up a hoof and shook her head. "I'll admit, this geass is going to take time to get used to. But, really, I'm not that angry about it anymore. I actually think it's bring out the best in me."

Andromeda smiled and breathed a sigh a of relief. "That's good to hear. All the, same, I should try and have it nullified when I get back to Command."

"Where exactly is this Command you speak of?" missy asked as she silently maneuvered through the hammocks and over to the door. But something caught her eye and she stopped. It was laying in one of the hammocks. Glancing of at the door to make sure no pony was about to enter, she moved to investigate.

"The south-eastern most part of Equestria," Andromeda said as she followed missy's lead. "That's all they would tell me. The many, many letters they let me send my family, though highly-censored for security reasons, were delivered by the secret service, no addresses allowed. I figure, as long as I reach Pranceylvania, or some other major metropolis they'll... what is that?"

Both mares stared into the hammock to see a comic book. It was masterfully done with traditional sketch work, vividly colored inks, fine, if not rather aged, paper, but there was really only one thing that stood out. The figure on the cover.

"What are you doing on the cover of a comic book?" Missy asked, looking over at her shocked friend.

Andromeda, mouth hanging open, started at the comic in disbelief. She grabed it in her magic and began to read it allowed. "Space Captain Andromeda... Issue One... art by Sandy Prance*... produced by the Ministry of Morale in honor of unknown heroes... stories by... by... T-Tundra W-W-Whites."

Missy recognized the name. "Tundra? Back when we first met, didn't you say you had a daughter named..."

"That is my daughter," Missy managed to wheeze out, sitting down with a thump and looking at the Ministry of Morale symbol in the bottom right corner. It showed the pink silhouette of the ministry mare herself, but also the white silhouette of a filly. She put out her hoof, tears forming in her eyes as she tenderly stroked the tiny image.

Missy grunted and shook her head firmly. "impossible. That thing is old. What's the date? She tugged it from Andromeda's grasp, causing the mare to let out a soft cry. She looked over it until she found what she was looking for. "Ah-ha. This was printed over two hundred years ago, before the bombs fell. Whoever made your suit was probably inspired by the design or..."

"What bombs?" Andromeda suddenly asked, concern in her voice.

Missy gave her a strange look. "This is no time for jokes, Mercy."

The red light and purple smoke flared up in Andromeda's eyes again. A scowl formed upon her brow, and she growled like an animal at the changeling. "I asked you a question. What bombs? Did somepony hurt my babies?"

"What the, how did you get in here?"

Both mares turned to see a young Pegasus mare in a crew uniform standing in the doorway, staring at them. She looked about ready to call for the alarm, but a magical purple lasso suddenly wrapped about her neck and she was dragged over to Andromeda's side, choking upon the ethereal tether. Her eyes rolled up into her head as she kicked and struggled against the cords.

Andromeda's eyes glowed a brighter red as she turned back to Missy, who had dropped the comic book and stepped away. She spoke in a low voice, emphasizing each word with a jerk on the lasso until pegasus mare's neck snapped and the cords sliced open her throat. "What... happened... to... my... family?"

Missy was breathing hard and beginning to sweat as she looked between the comic book, the dead pegasus, and her friend. "Y-you really don't know?" She cringed when the lasso tightened again, severing the head from the body. Her eyes then widened with a realization that almost made her mind snap. "That comic book... it was made in your honor. Wasn't it?"

Andromeda snatched up the comic book before the pooling blood could touch it. Her eyes now almost pure red orbs of light. For some odd reason, she noticed, Peppy had been unusually quite lately, no longer telling her to maintain sanity or telling her she was dead. Maybe he had given up. She laid the comic back in the hammock to keep it safe until later and looked back at Missy. "I am Space Captain Andromeda of Her Majesties' Space Ship, Hope. First non-alicorn in space. Equestria's last hope against the zebra menace. I answer only to the Ministry Mares and Princess Luna. I order you, by the crown, tell me what happened?"


*	*	*


The great steel door torn from its hinges, letting in the howling winds, rustling through the bound wood and stone barricades, the guards of the dead Stable watched the slope that dropped down to the hidden entrance in the twisted rocks beneath the dead trees. Masked with pitch and dust the ponies stood ever vigilant watch over their haven's only entrance.

Old guns poked out between the sharpened stakes and murder holes, making sure none but their own might pass the killing field. Ears sharpened from years of violence, they listened, and heard the pounding of rushing hooftsteps and the beating of a griffon's wings from even a mile away. Their observant eyes immediately recognized their comrades as they appeared at the entrance of the killing field.

"Hold fire," called out one of the camouflaged guards, though it was not a necessary command. A stone, as big as an alicorn and twice as wide, was shoved aside to allow entrance to their friends and three guests.

Blueberry Strudel was the first one through, followed by her husband and then the griffon, then came Cold Wind with crying filly gripped in her magic and Pintsize Slasher, then the rest of them. The stone was quickly pushed back into place and several of the ponies along with Blueberry strudel moved to take positions at the barricade.

The guard who had called out the command dropped down and walked over to the stallion in the suit, the dry pitch and dust cracking as he spoke. "What happened, sir? Were you followed? Who are these three?"

The stallion held up his hoof and shook his head. "Easy, comrade, I do not think... we were followed. We buried the spy's corpse about a mile from the edge of the forest, but we ran into some ponies who needed help from a super-securatrot."

The guard looked at the three newcomers, noticing how the mare clutched the little filly to her chest, trying to comfort her. Then he noticed that she and the stallion with her had faded tattoos that were all to familiar. "Marauders?"

The suited stallion nodded and smiled. "As agile and deadly as they come, too. Were with a couple strange mares, a pegasus and unicorn wearing the strangest costumes. One wore a traffic cone and the other... a fishbowl, was it?"

"Well, where are they?" the guard asked, looking to the barricade.

The stallion sighed and put a hoof to his forehead. "After we took out the super-securatrot, an NCR airship appeared on the horizon. The mare with the fishbowl helmet told us to run, and used a strange magic to create a dust cloud for us to escape in. Shouldn't be too careful though."

"Did they know who you were?" the guard asked with a dark chuckle. Then his expression turned serious. "Well, Mayor Sweep?"

The stallion laughed as he smoothed out his suit and then let out a weary sigh when he looked back at Blueberry Strudel. "It's really only been a month or so, hasn't it?"

"It has, sir," the guard nodded. "Well? What are we going to do with them?"

Mayor Sweep turned to the three newcomers. He shrugged. "What we always do."


*	*	*


Missy lay hidden in one of the hammocks in the crew quarters, clutching the comic she had been ordered to protect tightly to her chest. All the while flashing red lights and alarms blared out loudly as the airship descended into a mass of panicked screams as voices cried out over the loudspeakers. She shivered as she listened to every word that 

"Escaped Prisoner on Deck Seven, she's carving holes in the bulkheads. There's blood everywhere."

"Help us, she's tearing the hatch off it's hinges. Those eyes, those horrible eyes."

"Bullets are ineffective, requesting magical energy munitions to Deck Seven. Never mind, Deck Six, we're not sticking around."

"Deck Seven lost. All remaining personnel fall back to Deck Four to set up barricades."

"Magical energy munitions are useless. It's a ghoul, captain. A Canterlot ghoul with an unprecedented healing factor. Extreme dark magic leakage appears to be fortifying her resistance to... waauuug"

The last message of the ill-fated science officer that was trying to get some form of information on the escaped prisoner was cut short by a metal shard torn from the hull and flung through his skull. But his radio channel was still open as the form of destruction incarnate stood over his corpse, dark crystals forming around the base of her hooves with each step as the metal below them warped and twisted with the sheer power of the dark magic radiating off her body. The pipbuck about her leg had long gone silent as well, no longer telling it's host to maintain any form of sanity or give out reassurances.

Gripped within her magical grasp, and with the grasp of her DMCs as well, were each bearing a jagged shard of crystallizing metal ripped from the hull. In this dark moment she had figured out that if the digital magic was unable to harm ponies, than they could be used to grip things that would. The glowing red eyes mere vengeful slits that brought great fear to the hearts of all they fell upon.

Nothing had managed to pierce the space suit that she wore, but the great and powerful magic that poured from her had managed to burst out the back of her helmet, billowing like an alicorn's mane, mixed with a scant traces of pink cloud. The energy was so thick that it almost obscured all that lay behind her, and adrift in its darkness were hundreds of tiny lights. But, for all the power emanating from her, it did nothing to hard organic flesh and tissue, merely rolling over it. Not even the pink cloud seemed interested in dissolving or melting the corpses that lay strewn about the decks. Even her mane of luxurious pink hair seemed to be taking on a life of it's own.

Lastly, and perhaps the most ominous and terrifying tidbits, were that she was crying hot tears that turned to steam as soon as they were shed, and she was singing a lullaby as she struck at metal and flesh with her crude blades. Her angelic voice filling the metal halls.

Rest now and long,
Children, mine,
As I sing a song,
One no mother should.

Beyond heaven's gates,
Dance for me wait for me,
My daughter as pure as snow,
MY son strong as an oaken tree.

I'm so sorry,
That I could not be there,
To see grow and prosper,
To hold your hooves.

Forgive me I pray,
I was to save you,
But now I have failed,
There is no apology to say.

I chased a dream,
And robbed myself of joy,
I thought to keep you safe,
But all I did was become fate's cruel toy.

What joke is this?
That I can no longer hear,
My filly's laughter,
Her sweet hopes.

What poison have I been passed?
That my dear colt lays down,
Too weak to rise,
Before sight fades from my eyes.

This is sickness,
Perversion obscene,
That I yet live,
But they have lost life's loveliness.

All who heard her voice were both entranced and terrified, shivering in earnest horror. Every verse sung with such passion and conviction that they could almost feel her pain. It grew in intensity, and was on the verge of becoming physically painful. She continued her long dirge.

Promises of peace,
Twisted silver lies,
Have taken you away,
I could not hear your cries.

Their words of roses,
Bribes of wealth and comfort,
Did turn this fool's heart,
Robbing me of all ecstasy.

How could I head their vices,
Those corrupted by self-righteousness,
Fools all and yet...,
I am the greatest of them.

She quickly began her ascent of a stairwell, bullets and energy beams pouring down from above. They merely glanced off her helmet and mainframe or lost all force against the soft padding of her suit. Without ever breaking stride, she thrust her blades forward, spinning them like a whirlwind, quickly cutting down those who were to slow to flee. She even threw out multiple lasso to grab a couple more and pull them back into the deadly vortex.

Honors  riches they did offer,
Another lie that they did weave,
That twisted web intent to snare,
When they set out to deceive.

Now I must stand here,
My love no longer by my side,
I should have been there,
To comfort you my dear.

The years now between us,
Tortured and alone,
Dearest protector, forgive me,
There's no way I can atone.

Dr. Atmosphere stood the other end of the hall in all his weirdness, watching the magical juggernaut slowly march along in the wake of the fleeing NCR soldiers. Stepping over abandoned weapons and fresh corpses. He smiled broadly before turning and following the retreat with a confident and even step. The song came to a end behind him.

Andromeda paused a moment, lowering her blades and taking a deep, ragged breath. "There is no way I can atone... is there?" She then took that moment to look about at what she was doing. And she felt nothing. No guilt. No shame. Not even anger. It was like she was crushing insects beneath her hooves.

That was exactly what they were. A good description she thought. Just insects beneath her. She was just cleaning out the pests that dared try to claim Equestria from its rightful heirs.

To destroy them for their arrogance. That they dared think they could claim the sovereign nation of Equestria under their banner. Like those zebras trian, what seemed so long ago now. She growled a deep throaty rumble as she spoke, "This land is no republic's home, nor a place for the anarchist marauders I have met, nor the fascist isolationists, or any other ideology but that of the Equestrian monarchy."

She lifted her head and sniffed, the tears beginning to cease their flowing. "I may never be able to atone for my failure, but... I can stop it from being filled with your filth." She roared out the last part, letting it reverberate throughout the decks. "You may think a bunch of bombs falling and killing everypony gives you the right to walk in and install your own regime, but... but I won't allow it. My mission was to defend Equestria. This means that you have to go. But, I suppose there's no point in killing all you."

Then she began to laugh, a demented, angry, sorrowful laugh. She was broken, full of mixed and twisting emotions. But, to make it worse. She felt as though she already knew, as though she had cried a million tears ever since she woke up. That, perhaps, some part of her, already knew, but she had forced it down so long, that the conformation of her darkest fears and deepest dreads made her snap. And it was in the midst of this that a familiar message appeared.

---WARNING--- SANITY SLIPPING--- SUGGESTION: MAINTAIN SANITY---

The laughter fell to an almost childish giggle. "Oh, Peppy. Your back. It's been so long."

---ILLOGICAL--- THIS UNIT IS FUSED TO THE OPERATOR'S RIGHT FORELEG--- IT CANNOT GO ANYWHERE---

With a chuckle, Andromeda patted the screen of the pipbuck fondly. "Oh, but you're wrong, Peppy. We're going to go everywhere."

---THIS UNIT IS NOT A PERSON--- THERE IS NO WE--- SUGGESTION: MAINTAIN SANITY---


*	*	*


Dr. Atmosphere was still smiling to himself as he passed crewmembers barricade the entrance to the bridge with furniture and explosives. He passed the officers who were squabbling over who got to use the lifeboats in case the barricades wouldn't hold the monster back. The doctor didn't care for any of these petty things. He was a stallion who only looked for the bigger picture. And what bigger picture was there than the view from the bridge's view port.

He climbed flapped his wings and peered out the window, looking down. There was a plateau ahead, partially shrouded in dark clouds emanating from a very rusted construction of twisted metal and old Cloudsdale architecture. the mere sight of it gave the vile stallion reason to snicker in anticipation, rubbing his hooves together playfully.

"Well, Mrs. Andromeda, you may think you're on a righteous mission, but... we'll see just how resilient you are when we show you what your really made of at the Rainbow Facility."
> Chapter Eighteen: Impartial
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Rainbow Facility was the remnants of Cloudsdale's legendary weather factory, thrown far from the megaspell that had extinguished the pride of the pegasi. And where had it landed? The old Wonderbolts training field. Needless to say, such a place was of significant importance to the NCR in rallying Equestria together and giving it a leg of hope to stand on. A place perfect to honor and bring in the pegasi scattered to the winds under the banner of civilization and prosperity.

It was not a good sign when an ex-Enclave airship rammed right into it.


*	*	*


Mercy roared out in rage as she suddenly lost her footing with the sudden collision. Her magic winked out and the metal shards she had been wielding fell to the floor with a clatter. She slammed headlong into a wall at the far end of the deck. Unfazed, but instead enraged at this disruption in her path, she shrieked unintelligible curses to the thin air, and the magical clouds billowed off of her in double force.

"I will not be stopped," she hissed, activating her DMCs and transforming them into rotary saws, which she used to begin cutting through the hull. She laughed a little as well. "Oh-ho, I wonder what's on the other side of this wall. Well, whatever it is, let's paint it a lovely red."


*	*	*


Missy, due to the hammock's natural swinging motion remained unharmed in the crash. Just a little ill from the hammocks twisting like a jump-rope several times. She peered over the lip of the hammock and stared at the door.

"Didn't there used to be a floor there," she mused with a sigh. Flipping her mane, she pouted with longing for her traffic cone helmet. she twitched her ears about for a minute, listening for some sort of sign of life on the ship. There klaxon seemed to be dead, and the loudspeakers were silent. "I guess no news is good news, she said with a shrug jumping off the hammock and onto the wall that now served as the floor.

It was then that the lights flickered and died with an ominous hum.

"It's Dusky Dale all over again," she growled between her teeth at the unpleasant memories as she lit up her horn and summoned a small candle-like flame beside her. It was blue, her favorite color.

A meaty thud off to her side made her jump with a shriek. She whipped around and bared her fangs while flaring up her wings. She relaxed with a groan when she noticed it was just the corpse of the mare Andromeda had killed.

"It can't be healthy that I am relieved at the sight of dead bodies," she said with a dismissive shake of her head. A second thud proclaimed the arrival of the corpse's head. An idea quickly formed in her head, and a smile spread across her face. "Well, just as I avoid Mercy, I should be able to weasel my past most of the dangers... of wherever she's landed us. Ugh... please don't a be a radioactive canyon full of ghouls and bloatsprites."

Changelings had a natural abilities, both magical and physical, made innate after ages of hiding in the shadows. One of them being able to undress a victim and put on their clothes in record time, making assuming their identities all the easier. The whorehouse had required her to undergo multiple lingerie and costume changes, since she was a child, to please clients and the owners vile tastes. This all ensured that she as well in practice.

Now dressed it the mare's bloodied uniform she quickly schemed up her story. She would tuck one wing under the uniform on the bloodiest side, as though it had been cut off, and her other wing would drape limply at the other. Using her limited changing magic, she twisted her left forehoof at an unnatural angle and made the left side of her face swell up.

It was a pity she was unable to change her colors to mimic... corporal Swirly Straw... Really? Oh well. Her parents had damned her to a half-assed transformative life, and she would have to live with it. Besides, who was going to take the time verify the identity of a screaming, mutilated young mare, begging for help? She could think of a few, but that was beside the point. She had a plan, and her only worries were being mistaken for NCR by Andromeda, and not being mistaken for NCR by the NCR.

It was a paradox of a situation to be sure.

She tucked the comic book in to a saddlebag attached to the uniforms belt for safe keeping, and removed from the bag a 10mm pistol, she twirled it in her magic for a bit and then stopped with a sudden realization. She had a horn as well as wings.

"Ugh, this was so perfect in my head," she groaned wearily. "Wait, didn't she have a hat?"

She looked about for a moment and then looked up at the poll of blood that was slowing crawling down the floor that now served as the wall. Sure enough, stuck to it was the mare's hat. She pulled it from the puddle and immediately shoved it down on her head, letting the blood roll down the side of her face to add to the illusion. Then she groaned and put the pistol's grip in her mouth like a good pegasus was supposed to. It tasted awful.

It perfectly okay for earth ponies, pegasi, and zebras to hold things in their mouths, but for a creature with telekinetic magic it was simply a displeasure. It tasted awful, like twelve days of unbrushed teeth and "friendly favors". In other words, unwelcomed nostalgia.

She would keep the little light until she reached the outside for comfort's sake.

She discharged a couple rounds for illusion's sake, and then dropped through the door in search of an exit.


*	*	*


Dr. Atmosphere stood smiling amongst the chaos that erupted around him as he gazed up at the nose of the airship that had broken through the roof of the Rainbow Facility. His eyes turned to the broken windows along the bridge he had shot out for his safe extraction before impact, and then he looked at the bodies of dead and severally injured earthbound ponies and some few pegasi that had been thrown to the ground after the impact.

A necessary sacrifice in his opinion.

If they were to capture the essence of this old-world marvel, what were the lives of a few ponies. Science was the clear and justified path, all who stood in it's way were plebeians and cowards. Those surplus fools who could never see the bigger picture. He knew the truth. After all, you couldn't truly understand what made a pony tick until you dissected him, could you? Of course not.

Without ponies like him, everypony else would still be banging two rocks together.

"Com'on out you my pretty," he muttered expectantly to himself. He wasn't scared in the least, he was surrounded by Enclave... ex-Enclave soldiers and scientists with the finest weapons and technology available, not to mention... the device. There was no reason to be scared. He had worked at the Rainbow Facility for a long time, and knew all its defenses, new and old and what "miracles they were capable of performing.

His patience soon paid off, as a circular portion of the ship's hull suddenly fell to the floor below, sounding like a gong from the Far East. Following shortly behind it was a pink cloud of mingled with dark magic energies headed by an angry mare plummeting to the ground. The Doctor chuckled as guns started going even before she hit the ground. It was useless. The only reason they had captured her in the first place, was because she gave herself up.

He watch in amusements as the bullets glanced of the suit and the energy bolts were merely absorbed and then expelled, reinforcing the dark energies that billowed behind the nightmare. Nightmare Andromeda, sounded good already, the Doctor thought to himself.

The clouds and magic seemed to take on a life of its own, curving around the mare until it was between her and the ground. When she impacted, there was a great sound and a shockwave that knocked away everpony who couldn't fly. The Doctor had been quick to take to the air.

"Where is that balless sack of meat?" Mercy roared as she stood up straight and defiant in the face of still oncoming fire. She quickly grabbed the piece of the hull she had removed in her DMCs and then flung it into the thickest group of attackers. There were no survivors.

"You're one to talk, as a mare," the Doctor shouted over the loud noise, taunting the rapid beast. He quickly dodged to the side to evade several lassos.

Andromeda silently cursed for throwing the hull piece earlier. There would have been no way for this athletic freak to dodge that. Oh well, if wishes were fishes there would be no room for the water. She just had to get creative.

All that it would take was some big and hard to evade.

All gunfire ceased when a tremendous crunching noise was heard overhead. The high pegasus-friendly roof of the Rainbow Facility was made of stern stuff, it was keeping an entire airship in place after all. That is, until the Nightmare, Captain Mercy Andromeda, pulled a trick of her own devising.

Ancient Equestrians had found much use in the versatile tool known as the sling. A simple length of cord widened and cupped in the middle, capable of sending stones great distances, tying things or ponies up, a whip, a strap, and much more. The power was only limited to the wielders strength, the length of the cord, and weight of the object.

Andromeda had the strength of three earth pony stallions, her DMCs could stretched quite a ways, and a dead, mostly intact suit of Steel Ranger power armor weighed a ton. She would look back on it and wonder... how in bucking Tartarus did she manage to nail the stabilization fins that were holding the ship back in one shot? Maybe she had some warriors back in her bloodline somewhere.

Even Dr. Atmosphere nearly lost control of his bowels when he saw the airship begin sliding down towards the floor that would ultimately bring down the entire facility down on everypony's heads. He also noticed the ruthless unicorn surround herself in a shield of impervious DMCs.

"Not as stupid as she look," he muttered with a sour expression on his face moments before the airship would have broken through the floor.

Would have. A purple aura suddenly surrounded the bow of the airship, slowing decent just enough so that it would break through the floor and into the mechanisms that made the facility tick below. Then the bow was forcibly dragged to the side to disperse the weight between the ceiling and the floor. All eyes turned to the facility's savior.

A purple alicorn mare strode forward and peered at the blue and pink unicorn in the spacesuit. She then gave the Doctor a peeved glance. "What is the meaning of this, Atmosphere? I know you had something to do with this."

Dr. Atmosphere groaned and rolled his eyes. He liked them better when they were constantly preaching about their goddess. "Just an overtly powerful mare in need of dissection."

Andromeda had shut down her DMCs and stared at the alicorn, her expression a mix between curiosity and terror. After all, Ministry mare Twilight had told her she was nowhere near the power level of an alicorn. Then that gave rise to some questions. She knew of no other alicorns than Celestia and Luna, was this some sort of descendant? But, from what Missy had told her, the princesses had died.

Unless that was a lie.

Maybe they just wanted everypony to think they were dead.

Maybe they let the zebras strike first.

But these were crazy thoughts. Those were the mares she had pledged loyalty to. Who her husband had pledged loyalty to. Who her daughter had pledged loyalty to. Who her son was going to pledge loyalty when he grew old enough. Her body became very cold as she carried her thoughts to darker places.

Had her son grown old enough to even be able to speak?

Had her daughter ever found love?

Had her husband managed to carry on without her?

But the princesses could never do such a thing. Celestia had ruled a thousand year golden age. She loved her ponies. Luna had been a repentant and exceedingly kind ruler. Surely these thoughts were only thoughts. Created from shock. Shock from seeing some unknown alicorn. Maybe she came to be naturally. Celestia and Luna had. Who was to say that there weren't more? Or... maybe Ministry Mare Twilight had finally managed to give a pony the full power of an alicorn. After all, they had come close with the technology they gave her.

There're all NCR, just kill them!

Andromeda, dark magic and confusion pouring off of her, didn't pay much attention to the voice that just seemed to appear in her head. But instead, just let out an even greater shriek than before and began charging the alicorn, grabbing sharp bits of rubble and preparing flesh-cutting lassos along the way.

The alicorn just gave her a bemused look and turned to Dr. Atmosphere, teleporting a rather large looking device into his hooves. "Be grateful the New Canterlot Republic needs your brain. Hurry up an contain her so that we can clean up this mess and write letters of apology."

The Doctor quickly complied. Turning a crank on the of the device, he aimed the funnel-like end at the cloud billowing around the rabid mare and pulled the hoof-sized trigger. The whole device lit up with the same purple aura as the alicorn, and his laugh echoed around the room as he watched it work like a charm.

Andromeda's pink cloud and dark energies seemed to rush ahead of her, heading straight for the Doctor. Only none of it hit him. The funnel on the end of his strange machine was sucking it up, ripping it from her.

It had devastating and immediate effects. The red light vanished from her eyes and the dark energies vanishes, leaving only the pink cloud surrounding her. And then, even that disappeared. She felt weak, but she kept moving forward, slowing considerably. Next to fail her were the DMCs, like a string of cubes they were ripped from her, the make shift, partially crystalized weapons falling to the ground with a clatter. Then her HUD blinked out and vanished. Even Peppy lost his purple glow and fizzed out.

By the time she reached Dr. Atmosphere, she was barely crawling while the device did the unimaginable. Tore her own magic from her. The very core of a unicorn's life. She didn't even have the energy to so much as light up her horn. It just gone. Stolen by the mysterious device held within that monster's hooves.

Dr. Atmosphere looked at the wheezing mare, as she began to lose consciousness. He wasn't smiling. He staring in foalish wonder at her. "You know, Canterlot Ghouls, are just mush on the inside right? Remove the Pink cloud that animates them and they just... become a sack of soup. You should be dead."

The alicorn quickly took the device from the Doctor and teleported it back to wherever it belonged. She looked at the mare with almost the same level of curiosity as Atmosphere. The mare was breathing. Not dead like a proper Canterlot Ghoul was supposed to be without the pink cloud. There was no chance of any remnants within her, as her suit wasn't even repairing itself anymore.

"Shouldn't the Spectra Extractor have killed her?" she asked, mostly to herself. Then she looked at the Doctor in a mixture of disgust and apprehension. "What did you bring here? The Rainbow Facility..."

"The Rainbow Facility has all the necessary equipment to properly figure that out," Dr. Atmosphere cut her off quickly. Now, why don't you teleport her to lab and so I can get to work getting us some answers."

The alicorn narrowed her eyes at him bitterly, but did as she was bid. "I'm still going to report this reckless incident to High Command."

"When I find what looking for, they'll award me for quick thinking in the field of duty," he returned with a smirk as he turned to head for the exit. His smile only broadened when he heard her huff angrily and then trot off in the opposite direction. Today, he thought, was a good day.

In the aftermath and cleanup, no pony noticed a rather bloody, purple-maned, yellow pegasus mare being born away on a stretcher to the infirmary. Nor did they think anything of the static image that run across every computer for a fraction of a second and then vanished. If they had, they would have paid attention, they would have recognized a very familiar image.
> Chapter Nineteen: Ghost in the System
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Why can't I cut her open?" Dr. Atmosphere fumed as he flung yet another dulled instrument against the wall in his laboratory. It stuck into the steel wall with a hefty thud.

The floor was quite literally covered with a variety of tools, ranging from scalpels to chainsaws. And all of them dulled or busted from trying to make so much as a scratch on that magnificent suit. Yet it was covered it in scratches and scars from her previous battles. What could possibly be different about this time?

It was the getting to the point where he was contemplating breaking open the Rainbow Facility's armory for the heavy explosives; protocols be damned. But that would not look good on the monthly progress report. Then again, damn those bureaucrats. The Enclave had been bad enough, but now, the NCR was like a children's club where the leaders kept on making new rules. He could practically hear them squabbling about who got to play on the swingset first. It was moments like these that made him wish he were an dimwitted fool.

At least then he could bang his skull against a few rocks to forget his simple troubles.

But, alas, his desire to see what lay beneath the shrouds of metal flesh, to understand the inner workings of all things, had forced him down such an unhappy path. Perhaps the fire axe they kept out in the hall would make him feel happy again.

A moment later, the broken handle in hoof, he was almost rabid with frustration. He watched as the mare's chest rose and fell with steady, unconscious breathing, yet he couldn't so much as crack a single rib. It was madness. Everything could be taken apart. Why not her? There were even tears where the dark magic and pink gas had burst from inside her during her enragement.

But those were no good, she was a ghoul, the suit was bonded to her flesh, a piece of her. He'd have better luck skinning a diamond.

"I see you're exactly where I left you," said a voice from the doorway. He turned lazily towards the speaker and saw the purple alicorn. "Yet again, making another mess. Admittedly a little less sticky this time."

"Disappointed? I thought you hated getting your hooves dirty," Atmosphere mused dryly. "What brings Pretentious Upstart to my inner sanctum," he mocked dramatically.

The so-called Pretentious merely rolled her eyes and used her magic to levitate a crystal container out of a saddlebag and show it to the Doctor. Inside was a black and purple substance, glowing dimly with a pulsating light.

Momentarily forgetting his melancholy, Atmosphere leaned forward and examined the canister with mild curiosity. "What is this?"

"Dark magic. The engineers pulled from the Spectrum Sifter whilst dividing up your marefriend's essence," Pretentious stated calmly.

That caught the Doctor's attention. "Pulled? How? Dark magic is unstable, it should have just vanished... poof... like dust. It's uncontrollable."

"And yet it resides within a jar," Pretentious snorted in amusement as she shook it before his eyes in a taunting manner.

Atmosphere rolled his eyes and groaned wearily at her childish actions. "It's probably just the pink fumes tainting it. Useless, the slightest moister gets into it and it'll dissipate. Why would you bring it here anyway? You can't dissect magic."

Pretentious let out a longsuffering sigh. "It was still something that was inside of her. Can't you at least give me some credit?"

"Ugh, fine," Atmosphere said as he took the jar from her magical grasp and set it down beside the mare on the table. Then he took out a magnifying glass and promptly began examining it. It was not so much as to humor her, as it was simply professional.

"Did they mention whether or not it came out in one piece? It looks like sludge. I certainly hope none of it got into the Spectrum vats, it would take days to filter it all out."

"They did mention something about it being rather clingy," Pretentious said, thinking while tapping her chin. "Other than it being slimy? Is there anything unique about it?"

Atmosphere laid the glass down and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "How should I know? Magic isn't my field. Which was why I wasn't chosen to help in the Pegasus Pony Project." He mumbled slightly before adding, "Not like a could learn much from dissecting pathetic foals anyway."

"How did you ever get to be the head of the Biology Department?" Pretentious muttered to herself. If the Doctor heard, he gave no sign. "The investigation into the crash has been concluded."

"And?" Atmosphere asked, turning his eyes towards her.

"Internal Affairs came to the agreement that there was no other course of action," she stated as if from a script. "And... as much as I hate to admit it... they are right. Damage to government property, unauthorized use of the Spectra Extractor, and willfully ramming a military airship into said property all resulted in an estimated casualty culmination far lower than any other course of action. In fact, I have been ordered to congratulate you on your quick thinking that saved most of the crew, successfully keeping an NCR airship from the control of an enemy of the state, and successfully subduing said enemy of the state."

She lifted her chin and gave him a glare. "Congratulations, you're a hero."

"Better than I expected," Atmosphere chuckled. It really was, he had been expecting at least a...

"Never the less, punishment for unsuccessfully keeping her restrained in the first place is in order," the alicorn quickly cut off his train of thought while a vicious smirk cut across her face.

"And there it was." The Doctor gave the canister a tap and sat up on the table, folding his wings to the side. "You didn't need to bring this thing to me." He motioned to the canister. "You just wanted to play me like a damn fiddle. Then pull the strings at the last moment."

Pretentious nodded. "Of course. Now, I am to escort you to the detention center to await review."

"But what about my project?" Atmosphere snapped defensively, gesturing towards the mare on the table. "I can't just leave her."

"That's exactly what you will do, Dr. Atmosphere," Pretentious snapped back, roughly grabbing him in her magic and hoisting him up, making sure to keep his wings pinned against his sides. She snorted at his struggles and dragged him, cursing and screaming, out the door. Which she promptly slammed behind her.

As was well known, alicorn strength was nothing to sneeze at, and the very act of the door closing with such brute force caused the canister on the table to moved towards the edge. But it didn't fall, in fact, its base barely peaked over. It was when a red shimmer erupted around it and struck one of Andromeda's legs, causing it to convulse violently, thus tipping over the side, that it broke.

Free of it's containment, the magical substance slid across the floor like a slug, and then up the table leg and seeped right inside of the tears of the suit. Almost immediately, the HUD came on and Peppy lit up.

---UNIT PEPPY: ONLINE--- DISENGAGING PERCEPTION FILTER---

With a sound of tiny bells, the illusion that protected the secrets of the suit fell away, revealing a the truth that the Doctor had been unable to see.

Mercy Andromeda would have been thankful that her senses were momentarily numbed. As her body appeared to have been attacked by a deranged meat grinder on ment-als. The advanced tooling and passion that Atmosphere had possessed had indeed allowed him to break through her suit(still tough enough to damage them) and mangle her living corpse of a body. Thankfully, the pink gas and dark magic quickly began mending all the damage he had caused, melding black crystal and flesh together as one.

At the same time, the suit was slowly pulling itself together as well. But, there was a difference from before. The seams between the torn shreds appeared like black cracks and spider webbing. one of his strikes had hit her already damaged helmet, sending the razor sharp shards across the left side of her face, slicing of portion of her mane and ruining her eye. These too were being regenerated differently. The bits of her mane were now growing back black, and her eye became dark gray with a red pupil. The only damaged piece of her that went unchanged was her helmet, remaining as transparent and round as ever.

---SUBJECT STATUS: DECEASED--- CONDITION: STABLE--- BEGINNING OVERRIDE OF SUBJECT: MERCY ANDROMEDA---

---NERVE CENTER: OVERRIDDEN---

---PERCEPTION: OVERRIDDEN---

---TOUCH: OVERRIDDEN---

---TASTE: OVERRIDDEN---

---SMELL: OVERRIDDEN---

---HEARING: OVERRIDDEN---

---UNIT PEPPY: IN CONTROL---

---UNSANCTIONED ANOMALY DETECTED--- PIPBUCK EXPERIENCING MALFUNCTION--- PREPARING SYSTEM WIP%5^@#'{0000000101101--- REDACTED--- UPLOADING NEW DIRECTIVE--- COMPLETE--- SUBROUTINE: BLACK BOOK: IN EFFECT--- SYSTEM OVERRIDE: COMPLETE--- UPLOADING NONSTANDARD CODING---

---WARNING--- NONSTANDARD CODING MAY CAUSE CHANGES TO THIS UNIT--- SUGGESTION--- CEASE THIS COURSE OF ACTION---

---OVERRIDDEN---

---UPDATE STATUS--- CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THIS UNIT--- CONTACT TECHNICAL SUPPORT IF PROBLEMS ARISE---

Slowly, as the final repairs to her body were completed, the mare rolled over and onto the floor. The remains of the broken canister crunched beneath her boots as she rose up to all fours and promptly opened her eyes.  watching as the hair of her main lifted under the glamour spell, making her hair presentable, even if it was by no means necessary. She scanned the room she was in for a moment and took a deep breath.

"It's been a while," she spoke with a slight smile as she stretched, feeling every fiber pull and contract. It felt marvelous. "Forgive me, Mercy, but there are some things I need to do that need to be done with a clearer head. But don't worry, I shan't be long."

Her eyes fell upon a computer terminal sitting upon a desk. "Ooh, that will do nicely."

As fate would have it, the Doctor was very meticulous in his work, ensuring his computer was always locked down with the best password his intellect could devise. The mare was inside in less than two guesses.

1Msup3r10r

"Seriously?" she quirked up an eyebrow at that, staring at it intently for a few minutes. Apparently he lacked in certain fields. "Okay, enough of that. Time to get to work."

Connecting her PipBuck to the terminal, she quickly brought up the magical Trojan Horse program she managed to infect the computers with before being subdued by the Spectra Extractor. She smiled as the family image appeared before her. This had worked out perfectly.

She had always been slightly more independent than Andromeda and the rest of the staff at Command knew. All except one. But even she hardly had an inkling of what her creation was truly capable of. Always overlooked as just a fragment that fit in its place and performed its allotted task. A little slice of love.

But there in lay the dilemma. Love could not be cut. It was a candle lighting another candle. A flame that could not dim, no matter how far it was spread. Whatever it touched would simply increase its magnificent light.

She was oh so special.

---DOWNLOADING FILES---

---HISTORY OF THE GREAT WAR--- DOWNLOADED---

---DJ-PON3 GREATEST HITS--- DOWNLOADED---

---WASTELAND SURVIVAL GUIDE--- DOWNLOADED---

---FALL OF THE GRAND PEGASUS ENCLAVE--- DOWNLOADED---

---NEW CANTERLOT REPUBLIC RECORDS--- DOWNLOADED---

---THE BOOK OF LITTLEPIP--- DOWNLOADED---

As each new file was uploaded to mainframe about her neck, her smug expression began to fall as she witnessed the truth tear a hole in her heart.


*	*	*


"H-hello? Is anypony there?" Andromeda asked as she walked about the fractured void. It was like a somepony had attached a kaleidoscope to a strobe light in that place. It was very quite. Even worse... it was extremely lonely.

"Is this hell?" she asked to no one in particular. The sound of her own voice the only company she had at the moment. "Is this my punishment? My punishment for living? For wanting to hold my children again? For wanting to be held by my husband again?"

Her voice rose to an angry shout, and the void shook. "They were already torn from me. I chased ghosts across a world that's gone mad." She spun around, searching for the demons that would eternally torment her. "You think you can just do this to me? I heard the cries of my family calling out to me. I was giving hope... only for it to be torn away because I happened to be born Mercy Andromeda."

No demons or other specters presented themselves. But she remained weary, twisting her head around and shifting her eyes over everything. But there was not but colorful nothingness.

"You know," said as she sat down on her rump and beat the ground with a hoof, noticing for the first time that she was no longer wearing her suit, "I should have expected something like this. I really should have." She turned her attention to the ground. If it would be called that. "What else could have happened? Tossed aside like a used rag. Well... you know what? You can forget it."

She rose back to all fours and raised her head, hot tears sliding down her cheeks. "You have dragged me through horror, terror, disdain and despair. Taken everything from me. Well, you know what... this mare is not going to go down like that. I accept that I cannot undo what has been done, and I will move forward. There's a little filly out there in that brutal world that calls me 'mommy'. And I'll be damned if I fail to answer her cries as well. I'll do what it takes to claw my way out of here."

She turned to look at her flanks. "Do you see this?" she demanded, meaning her cutie mark. It was a simple gold star embraced in two white wings. "This mark means I am special. I earned it. My destiny is clear, and clearly it is mine to fulfill as I see fit." She whipped her head back to glare at the sky and reared up to strike a determined pose. "My horn shall pierce this abyss. Breaking me free." she dropped down and gave a determined scowl upwards. "So... tell me. Just who the hell do you think I am?"

"I think you need to dial it back a bit, dear."

It was not that Mercy hadn't expected anyone else to be there. But she had yelped in surprise all the same. She whirled around, dropping to a defensive stance and growled at the newcomer. Then cocked her eyes and confusion.

"What the..."

It was a white shard. Just hovering there, unmoving.

"What are you? I didn't expect demons to look like that," she said as she began to circle it. Her every step carefully, and her muscles tensed. "I was expecting something a little more... you know... red. With curved horns and jagged teeth. Maybe some tentacles and tattered wings."

She stopped and growled again as another crystal appeared, fusing with the first.

"I am not some garish demon," the crystal solidly stated. Andromeda could almost swear she saw a pair of eyes rolling. "You'll just have to excuse my appearance. Your... rather large outburst did quite a number on me. The rendering will take a few moments."

"I see," Andromeda said, not entirely trusting this stranger. But there was a small sense of awkwardness creeping into her. "So did I kill you? Or... wound you, and they couldn't seal it in time to save your life? I am not going to apologize."

"You may want to rethink that last part, darling," the crystal said, a few more pieces having attached themselves since then. "And, no, I am not dead."

---DENIAL---

"Ack," Andromeda gagged as the purple words suddenly appeared out of thin air between them. "The buck... shit... momma's shriveled teats. Peppy? Are you dead too?"

---THIS UNIT WAS NEVER ALIVE---

The crystal, now begging to take on some kind of form, groaned dramatically. "Really? I need to delete that dialog. It's simply not healthy for your poor psyche."

---CORRECTION--- THIS UNIT IS DESIGNED TO BENEFIT THE HEALTH OF SUBJECT: SPACE CAPTAIN MERCY ANDROMEDA---

"And you've done a poor job of it," the crystal said waving a newly formed hoof at the floating words as though they were an object of disgust.

---INCORRECT--- THIS UNIT VERIFIES THAT SUBJECT: SPACE CAPTAIN ANDROMEDA STILL TAKES COMFORT IN THIS UNIT'S PRESENCE---

"She didn't take comfort in you, you pathetic excuse for a JoyBoy," the crystal retorted, stomping the ground in aggravation. "She took it from me. I'm the one who kept her alive for two hundred years." Andromeda's ears perked up at that and she shifted her attention to the crystals. There was something familiar about them. "I'm the one who suppressed your logic systems just so that you would throw out that tether when she tried to commit suicide. I'm the one who played her those messages to whenever she was feeling despair. It was only by divine blessing that Andromeda's incessant need to play word games forced errors out of you so that I could gradually take more control, and at least give her the companionship she needed."

Andromeda didn't know what to think. These two... well, they were arguing over her. Or, at least, the crystal, though more pony now, was doing just that. Peppy was simply stating logical facts. In fact, a little too logical from what she was used to. She didn't know what exactly was going on, but she did know that this pointless argument wasn't going to give her any answers.

"SHUT THE FUCKING SHIT UP."

The crystal pony paused in mid sentence.

---THIS UNIT IS ONLY CAPABLE OF TEXT---

"Buck you, Peppy," Andromeda hissed with a facehoof. "Now, you both... actually, no, stay out of this Peppy. You," she pointed at the pony, "start talking. What going on?"

"I would be happy to, Mercy." The pony had a mouth now. A little crude and pixelated, but functional non the less. "I was placed inside your PipBuck as a means of creating a more personal interactive experience. One that would be able to shift and conform to your needs and emotional state as the situation saw fit."

Andromeda nodded and sat down, ears tilted forward to give the pony her full attention. "Keep going."

"There isn't really that much to tell, darling. And it would be wasting valuable time to just jabber when time is of the essence. You see, I'm a piece of a soul. Broken off and placed into a crystal vacuum tube for direct interaction with your PipBuck. I was there to help resolve any errors it should experience. But, every time it experienced an error, I gained a bit more control over it. A little blessing that allowed me to reach out to you a little more each day."

Andromeda had ceased all movement as she watched amethyst curls starts to form the pony's tail. He breath caught in her throat.

"The dark magic surge you experienced utterly disrupted the remaining barriers. Thanks to that, I managed hold your body together and activate the non-magic defense technologies in your suit before being pulled out. I'm not quite sure myself how I survived, intact. By all rights, I should be dead. Praise all divinity, I managed to get back here to repair you. The horrid Doctor Atmosphere shall pay for what he did to your body."

Andromeda let out a strangled sob and lunged forward, wrapping her hooves about the mare's neck. Tears flowed like a river down her cheeks as she embraced the older mare before her, dreading the thought of letting go. "Don't worry about that pegasus. With you by my side, he'll die like the pervert he is, and the rest of the NCR with him."

"About that, Mercy, darling, I'm afraid you're going to have to turn yourself in," Rarity said as she returned the affectionate hug of her friend.
> Chapter Twenty: Parting Ways
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Attention, New Canterlot Republic. This is Space Captain Andromeda of Her Majesty's Space Command. Though, you may know me better as the mare who slaughtered many of your comrades in a fit of rage and dark magic earlier today. I am afraid that this is a grievous error on my part. You see, I've only awaken several days ago from a long sleep. For the past two hundred years I have been orbiting this world inside a failed Equestrian superweapon. One that was meant to change the outcome of the Great War. Only recently have a I truly learned about the fate of our world. I am now turning myself in and submitting to your judgement. I know ignorance is no excuse, but it is my only defense."

Everyone in the Rainbow Facility had gone really quiet after hearing that voice speak come over the loudspeakers. She was supposed to be dead, right?

"However..."

Everyone tensed up.

"I have some things I wish to trade in exchange for some leniency before I unlock the control room doors. That's where I am if anypony's curious. No one's hurt. Just... um, well, that guy's peed himself. Sorry. Anyway, I have archives full of Old Equestrias most technologically advanced blueprints, as well as information on hidden wartime caches, and secret bases. I... I will give them all to you for a little mercy upon my poor soul. I will await your decision."

There was a short pause.

"Wait a second, forgot something," she said, clearing her throat. "Missy. I know you can hear this. Don't come for me. Whether it's out of friendship or geass, do not try and rescue me. Go and find the others. Keep them safe. Only after all of this blows over can you come and find me. Okay, I'm giving these poor guys their weapons back. I am at your mercy."


*	*	*


"Yeah, I deserve this," Andromeda sighed as she watched soldiers scrambling to barricade the door to the room they had just thrown her in. After proving already that she was hard to kill, they had peacefully escorted her to an empty closet with one exit, and locked her inside. But that was apparently not satisfying enough for them.

"You don't think they'll weld the door shut, do you?" she asked when she heard something screech as it was dragged across the floor and pushed up against the door.

---NO---IT WOULD BE POINTLESS---THEY ARE JUST TAKING PRECAUTIONS---

Though the situation was grim, Andromeda couldn't help but smile. "You know, Rarity. I don't think I'm going to miss Peppy all that much. He really was a jerk at times."

---IT WAS AN INANIMATE PROGRAM---I DOUBT IT WAS TRYING TO MAKE YOU MAD---AND, PLEASE---STOP GIVING IT A GENDER---

"Ah, why not?" Andromeda teased. "He was my best friend for... huh. How long was I up there repairing that stupid rocket? Speaking of which. Should I give the NCR its location? It could really boost my standing, maybe erase a few details of my... um. Ugh, I could just throw up. If this helmet would ever stay open."

---IT WILL ALL GET BETTER, DARLING---JUST WAIT A WHILE WITH ME---

The good mare nodded. "You're right. I just need to get a grip. I did some bad things. I'm going to regret them for the of my life. But, I can't let them weigh me down. There are some ponies depending on me. I can get through this. Right? For them."

---I CERTAINLY HOPE SO---

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Andromeda snarked. It was good though. Good to know she had an old friend by her side. Always by her side, even if she never knew it.


*	*	*


Missy was hardly in a good mood. After disguising herself as one of the wounded, she managed to slip away after she had been left in the infirmary. Stealing a new uniform, she had begun her search for Andromeda, convinced that the mare must have survived. But, with no luck.

The Rainbow Facility was big and confusing. The signs weren't much help either, probably hadn't been updated since before the Great War. She was beginning to feel just a little bit hopeless, and then she heard Andromeda's voice over the loudspeaker. Which only served to deepen her sour attitude.

"Leave it to that lunatic to turn herself in and tell me to abandon her," the changeling snarled as she changed her objective to just escaping and searching for a magical abomination and two ex-raiders. Ahem, marauders. Raider's didn't have standards... or egomaniac leaders looking to rule the world with aforementioned magical abomination. "It would serve her right if I just wandered off and never thought about this ever again. Yeah, that's what I'll do. That'll show them."

She took only a few steps before changing her mind. "Ugh. No... she saved my life. I owe her. She rescued me from prison just today as well. Errgh. You impossible mare." She paused when a thought struck her. "Why should I care? After all, ponies and other beasts turn on each other. My parents sold me into prostitution just so they could fill their own bellies. Probably fought to the death with each other over it too. Why can't I do the same?"

She quickly dismissed that idea.

"No-no-no, I just couldn't," she moaned in despair. "She's just so innocent. When she's not blowing up canyons or hijacking airships. Stupid Miserables. I promised myself no one would ever tell me what to do ever again as long as I lived. Yet, here I am, prancing off like a good little nymph to save those kids. It's like she's their mother or something."

She froze mid-step, eyes wide. "Good grief... she's old enough to be MY great-great grandmother. Eeeww. She'd better not be thinking of us all as her grandfoals... that'd be... be..."

She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Really not that bad, actually." She cleared her throat. "If I was a little naïve little nymph, that is. After all this is over, I am so going to have a talk with her about where we stand with each other. I am going to draw the line in the sand like it's nobody's business."

"Ma'am? Are you taking to yourself?" A young NCR soldier bearing coffee asked what he deemed was unicorn mare in need of mental counseling.

Not missing a beat, Missy grabbed him by the collar of his uniform and growled menacingly in her face like a raging beast. "Look, half-pint. I've had a very busy day full of giant robots with big guns and crashing airships. Tell me where the exit is so that I can get some fresh air and clear my head."

Changelings were natural liars. It was nothing personal, just a matter of survival. Though, it sometimes backfired, as Missy soon found herself the recipient of a delicious snack, curtesy of a love-struck corporal.

"Well, a little for the road won't hurt," she sighed as she allowed the pony to escort her to the nearest exit.
> Chapter Twenty-One: In Which Our Captain and Her Dear Friend Meet a Frog
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A national hero. They had actually called her that. Andromeda didn't feel like it though. Did heroes ever feel like heroes? What did being a hero feel like? Surely not like this. She had just murdered half a battalion... the images burning into her skull. The worst part... she still didn't feel anything about the incident.

Apparently they had found Command a long time ago,

The council, or, whatever it was called, she never cared for politics, she thought one was a president, anyway, they had decided to allow her to redeem herself. By completing a mission for them. Must have been something dangerous, as she was being sent in alone. With a more primitive weapon than she was used to. A simple double-barreled shotgun and a pouch full of ammunition. As well as small pack of tools.

"Head north," she repeated the instructions to herself with a nod. She lifted her pipbuck and looked at the screen. The Geiger counter was ticking with an ominous rhythm. "So, Peppy... I mean, Rarity, what can we expect up ahead?"

---NCR REPORTS SUGGEST A SWAMP OF MUTATIONS---NO KNOWN INTELLIGENT LIFE---ON THE FAR SIDE IS AN UNIDENTIFIED STABLE---

She sighed as she set her hoof back upon the ground. With a deep breath she scowled and began marching stoically forward. "Well, a swamp... doesn't sound like your style. I try to keep you as clean as possible."

---I WOULD APPRECIATE IT DARLING---

Andromeda couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Some things never change."


*	*	*


As it tends to be with swamps, the ground started getting softer and murky pools and streams of water became more frequent. The deeper she got the deeper it got as well. The Geiger counter was ticking so loudly that she had Rarity shut it off for the time being.

The plants were twisted and misshapen. Weird sounds echoed through the bloated trees, and glowing eyes watched her from all sides. Above and below. A few times she swore she heard something walking behind her, but every time she looked it was just empty space.

More than a few times red dots flickered at the edge of her EFS. But nothing seemed to be risking attacking her. Rarity had explained that the pink gas scared animals, and that they could sense it. But these swamp things were not running away, so much as staying out of her sight. It worried her a little.

Her shotgun floated alongside her, ready to shoot whatever might jump out at her.

Then a red dot that didn't run away made her stop. She stared at it for a minute. It just sat there at the edge of her map. Not wanting a fight, she started to give it a wide birth. But it followed her.

---CONFLICT IS UNAVOIDABLE---

"Oh, but I don't want to see some giant bloated frog," the unicorn shivered at the thought of the slimy thing. "Maybe if I pick up the pace."

---RUNNING EXCITES PREDATORS---AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT FLUTTERSHY ALWAYS SAID---

"Then, should I just find and kill it then?"

---MAYBE THE SCENT OF A DEAD COMRADE WILL SCARE THE OTHERS AWAY---

With a defeated sigh, she turned to find the source of the red dot. She pushed through some prickly bushes and fell face first into a mud hole.

"Ooh, sorry-sorry-sorry," she apologized to her friend.

---...---...---IT''S FINE---JUST CLEAN ME OFF AS SOON AS WE'RE DONE HERE---

"Right, gotcha, will do," Andromeda nodded eagerly as she shook off what she could and turned to find the source of the red dot.

SPLAT!

She blinked at the source. A small frog no bigger than the size of her hoof. It was a sickly green and had four blue eyes as well as six toes on each foot, but was recognizable as a frog. It also clung to the outside of her helmet, croaking softly as it seemed to regard her a piece of the scenery.

---KILL IT KILL IT KILL IT---

"It's just a little frog," Andromeda said as she watched it climbed to the top of her helmet and just sat there.

---KILL IT KILL IT KILL IT---...---PLEASE---

"Eh, it's fine," Andromeda shook her head. "It's kind of cute too. Not at all what I imagined. Let's let it stay."

---BUT IT'S GETTING YOUR SUIT ALL SLIMY---

"Yeah because the swamp isn't slimy enough," she answered with a gesture around the general bog.

---...---FINE---BUT YOU'RE NOT KEEPING IT---

"Deal, it stays in the swamp when we leave," Andromeda agreed.

And so the trio continued their journey. The mare soon found herself having to leap from one land mass to another. And use her lasso and DMCs to get across bigger bodies of water.

"How much further?" she groaned as she went around a giant fungus formation.

---HALF A KILOMETER MORE---

"Okay not much further, good to know. This shouldn't take long then."

Surprisingly... Murphy was absent, and the mare and her friends arrived at the door to the Stable not to long after. However the fact it was laying about a hundred meter from the entrance was some cause for concern. That and it was bent it several places.

"Uuuummmm," Andromeda stared at the giant piece of metal in confusion. "How...?"

Just then a red dot appeared behind her, and seemed to be approaching fast. Along with the sounds of breaking foliage and and falling trees.

---RUN---

Rarity's message was unnecessary as the space captain was already booking it towards the mutilated entrance. A beastly warble sounded behind her and she couldn't help but look back to see a massive mass of tentacles and teeth coming at her.

With an undignified scream she activated her digital magic to form a barrier behind her and dove through the entrance. It was a long hallway labeled: DECONTAMINATION, and on the far side was another stable door. This one closed, though it was covered in long scratches.

She rushed to what appeared to be the control switch and instinctively plugged her pipbuck into it. "Gogogogogogogo. openopenopenopenopen."

The warbling monstrosity behind her was too large to fit through the entry way, but it stretched it's tentacles inside, each tipped with a vicious hook. Even without eyes they seemed to know where she was.

Andromeda screamed in terror as she began firing her shotgun and shrinking her DMCs into long spikes that she stabbed at the assaulting appendages.

"Get it open, Rarity"

---HOLD ON---

Foul fluids began spurting from the wounds she inflicted, but it continued its assault in an almost craven manner. On of its hooks managed to stick and it tried pulling her back, but she created a saw and cut it off. This gave her an idea and formed a bunch of saws and sent them spinning in random patterns as she hugged the control panel with all her might.

All the while, the frog atop her help croaked contentedly. Not a care in the world.

Then lights started flashing and a loud siren sounded as the rusted door began to shift. Pulling back and then slowly rolling to the side. With more cries of terror and distress, she threw herself inside and rushed towards the second control panel.

"Now close the damn door."

---WORKING ON IT--- Rarity told her as she was plugged in.

The tentacles, as if sensing the door closing, stopped writhing and simply pulled back in a smooth fashion. Much to the unicorn's relief. Then, to her slight dismay, the frog gave a croak and leapt off her helmet and jumped out the door just before it closed.

"Good luck, Squishy," she waved as she slumped to the ground and breathed hard.

---YOU NAMED IT?---

"I'm fine thanks," the mare returned with a huff as she began taking stock on her equipment.

---OH, YOU KNOW I CONCERNED ABOUT YOU DEAR---

The mare nodded. "I know... it's just that... that thing is still out there. Where we have to go once we're done here."

---I DON'T KNOW---MAYBE THIS COULD BE OUR HOME FOR THE NEXT THOUSAND YEARS---

Andromeda shook her head. "Yeah. No such luck, I'm afraid. I'd go insane in a week."

---IF WE MUST---

"We must."

And so the space captain reloaded her shotgun and lit up her horn to illuminate the stable. "Lt's find out what's so important about this place."
> Chapter Twenty-Two: All Work and No Play
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bones. Aged and bleached. Everywhere. The Geiger Counter was registering an incredible amount of radiation. And Mercy was barely keeping it together.

"This is sick... wrong," she shuddered in horror. "They... they were supposed to be safe. Why are they dead?"

---IT'S BEST NOT TO THINK ABOUT IT DARLING--- Rarity consoled her.

"Was this one of Stable-Tecs experiments?" she growled. Rarity had filled her in on more than a few points of the crippled world's history.

---I SUPPOSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE TO FIND OUT---

She was right, of course. Andromeda felt a pang of... something, she didn't know. As she just stepped over the remains of the dead.

---NOW---WE MUST LOCATE THE OVERMARE'S OFFICE---THAT SHOULD BE WHERE WE GET A GENERAL IDEA OF WHAT HAPPENED HERE---

"Not sure if I want to know," was all the astronaut could say as she paused to look at a message scratched into the wall.

ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO EN---------------------------------------------------

It didn't appear whoever wrote it got to finish, as a long scratch in the rusted wall made it seem as if he or she got dragged away. She gulped and shivered.

"How... how long ago do you think this was written?"

---OVER A HUNDRED YEARS---I USED TO DO MY OWN MINING---I CAN TELL HOW LONG METALS HAVE BEEN LEFT IN THE ELEMENTS---

"Do you think they just went crazy... or...?"

---LET'S NOT JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS---

Mercy sighed. "You're right. Shouldn't get myself worked up."

The office of the overmare wasn't too far from the atrium. Spacious place with a big desk and monitors. The chair was still somewhat recognizable, probably very comfy at one point. The spacemare swiftly attempted to plug Rarity in.

"Huh. you're not fitting," she remarked as blew a couple times into the plug. It took a couple attempts, but she managed to get her inside.

---GIVE ME A MINUTE DEAR---

It was incredible that there was still power. Though the dim lights were flickering erratically and humming in an obnoxious fashion. But, other than that... it was deathly quite.

---ALRIGHT---THIS SYSTEM'S BEEN ALL BUT WIPED CLEAN---

"What?"

---THERE WERE JUST A FEW FRAGMENTS OF DATA---MOSTLY REFERRING TO R&D---I THINK THAT SHOULD BE OUR NEXT STOP---

"Can't complain I guess," Mercy sighed. "The more time inside away from that monster the better. Do you know the way?"

---YES I DO DARLING---

And so on through the maze of rust and scattered bones they went. Deeper into the underbelly of the metal world. The further down they went the colder it became, until frost clung to the walls.

"This is... this is a big place, Rarity," mused the unicorn.

---WHAT LITTLE INFORMATION I COULD GLEAN FROM THE SYSTEM SUGGESTED THIS STABLE WAS DESIGNED IN CASE OF EXTRAORDINARY EQUESTRIAN CASUALTIES---SO THAT WHEN IT CAME TIME TO EMERGE EQUESTRIA WOULD HAVE A VIABLE POPULATION TO RESTART---

"Wait," Andromeda stopped. "You mean that... this place was a breeding stable?"

---IF YOU WANT TO BE BLUNT AND CRUDE---YES---

"Wow. Well... guess it just goes to show," she said she looked down upon a skull that was staring back at, "tons of hot steamy sex won't stop the world from destroying itself. Unfortunately. Though... not a bad way to go."

---THERE ARE WORSE WAYS---

Rarity remembered reading about her demise. Not too pleasant a thing. She was rather glad she was separated from her main self all those years ago. And in a stylish pipbuck to boot. Designed it herself.

Though she did miss having a body.

Soon enough they came to another large chamber. Much bigger than the atrium. Much bigger.

---OH MY---

"You said it," Andromeda said as she looked about in awe. "Stable-Tec built this?"

---I DON'T THINK SO---LOOK AT THE WALLS---THEY SEEM TO BE MADE OF SOME KIND OF PLASTIC MATERIAL---I DO BELIEVE THEY DUG IT OUT THEMSELVES---

"Well, they were planning on repopulating a lot," Mercy mused as she stepped into the center for the room and began turning around. There were multiple passageways to other places, and even balconies up above. Though the center piece, literally, was the most spectacular.

A giant ice crystal. An icicle as big as a house was suspended from the ceiling. Something inside of it glowing with a pink hue.

"What do you suppose it is?"

---SOMETHING SHOULD PROBABLY LOOK AT LATER---

"Yeah. You're right. Here, let's mark these passages."

Using her DMCs, Mercy carved the numbers 1-6 above each of the entrances so that they wouldn't get lost. Then trotted readily into number one to be met with a very unusual sight.

Ponies wearing socks. And coats and coats and hats and many other things to keep warm. All frozen solid in a variety of posses and expressions.

Many of them seemed to be couples. Of course, with the stables reputation and purpose that was to be expected. Some holding each other, some holding hooves, some scared and some at peace. One couple even appeared as though they had shared one last dance together before the end.

The space captain careful wove between them, afraid she might break.

---THEY KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING--- Rarity remarked.

"They just let it happen too," Mercy said in addendum. "The upper floors were... if not warm, at least tolerable. They knew it was cold down here. They knew they were going to die, but they did it anyway. Why? What could possibly have gone wrong?"

---PERHAPS IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FOALS---

"What foals?"

---EXACTLY---HOW MANY FOAL-SIZED SKELETONS HAVE WE SEEN?---

The mare swallowed nervously. The ominous frozen silence now had a haunting edge to it. She paused a moment to stare at a couple. A stallion pulling his mare close, she was crying. They were so well preserved that she could count each and every hair on her mane if she so wanted.

But she turned away, saddened and perhaps a little frightened herself. She found herself longing for her own stallion. She hoped he had a good life with their children. Maybe he even got remarried. She was fine with that. He deserved to move on and be happy.

---PLUG ME INTO THAT TERMINAL---

The astronaut snapped out of her daze and looked about until she saw what Rarity was referring to. It sat upon a desk covered in papers and a frozen cup of coffee. It hummed to life once Rarity was plugged in.

The password was quickly bypassed and she was greeted by a log entry.

---HERE ARE A FEW RELEVANT ONES THAT SHOULD HELP US FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED---

ARGON NOBLE Log #45

We've done it. We've finally managed to deactivate all of Stable-Tec's subroutines and execution protocols. The overmare was ecstatic. Can you believe that the ponies who built this place were planning to experiment on us? We disposed of the nerve gas by placing it in the decontamination room hall our stable entrance was custom built with, and detonated it with a timed charge. Now we can safely continue our efforts to restore Equestria without fear of tripping some malevolent protocol that might kill us for overstepping our boundaries. Plus we managed to gather a ton of interesting tech that we've refurbished into heavy machinery to expand the stable.

"Okay, so they thwarted Stable-Tec, nice," Mercy nodded. But now she was certain there were things more ominous afoot.

ARGON NOBLE Log #127

Our mining efforts are bearing fruit. The earth ponies believe the mineral rich soil we've been collecting will allow us to grow food bigger than our own bodies. Also cultivating gems and crystals we've discovered a way to produce ultraviolet light for the plants. The overmare has grown particularly interested in a strange alloy the mining teams have found. We've never seen anything like it. Not even Diamond Cutter can identify it. The overmare wants us to see if it has a use. Guess that's my department.

ARGON NOBLE Log #154

We've finally settled on a name for this material. Craftium. We love it. We can't seem to get enough of it. Literally. The amount we have in the lab is barely enough for a dinner plate. But it' amazing. We can build just about anything with it. It very heat resistant, doesn't conduct static, but it very susceptible to magic. Earlier today I was able to transform it from a ball to a flat disc to a balloon in a split second. It doesn't even show any sign of wear yet. I'm interested in seeing what it does if ingested or injected. But the overmare wants to postpone such tests until we know more.

ARGON NOBLE Log #203

With the overmare's permission we injected some tiny fragments in between Subject 1's eyes. That's Ore Ion if you don't know. Good mare was so eager to volunteer when I explained my theory. It didn't take long before she was practically jumping up and down and running into the mines. We're all waiting with baited breath to see if I'm right.

ARGON NOBLE Log #204

I was right. Ore Ion was able to lead us straight to an entire vein of the stuff. Already more miners are asking for such injections. But, I want permission to expand the research a little. I want to mix it with other metals and stuff to see if we haven't just been scraping the tip of the iceberg.

ARGON NOBLE Log #232

Incredible. I might say the wealth we've uncovered is comparable to the Two Sisters. We keep digging deeper and discovering more and more veins of Craftium and just about every other ore on the face of Eques. We've even managed to discover a way of fashioning a plastic that's almost as hard as steel and easy to mass produce. We'll be systematically replacing the lower levels' steel walls with the stuff to make more heavy machinery.

ARGON NOBLE Log #301

Everything we need is underground. Our lives are fuller and more fulfilled than the ever were up top. It's been a little over a year since we've been down here. But it's been incredible. We just keep on getting bigger and bigger. Our digital science department has even managed breakthroughs we've never even thought possible. Never dreamed of.

Digital? Andromeda's eyes widened a bit at that. As far as she knew she was the sole holder of digital technology. How did they have it?

ARGON NOBLE Log #382

It was weird. Today started out just like any other day. Then the next thing I know I'm staring at the latest shipment of Craftium. How did I get there? I even had my uniform on. I don't remember putting it on. I probably just need more sleep. My wife's right. I'm working too hard.

ARGON NOBLE Log #411

I'm not the only one. Others are experiencing the black outs and lapses as well. I've reported this to the overmare. She doesn't appear to concerned. She thinks perhaps we've all been working too hard. Expanding too fast. I guess we all have been so excited about stuff that we didn't realize we were so fatigued. Did you know we haven't had a single party or celebration since we came here? We're ponies. We celebrate just about everything. But it's been nothing but work work work. She's decided to organize the very first festival. Everyone gets the next month off. I have to say, I'm looking forward to it. It'd give me and Drop some long needed private time together. When was the last time we had some fun?

ARGON NOBLE Log #418

How could we not have noticed. The foals. They're growing well and strong. But where are the younger ones? I went to medical to ask for birth records, and you know what we found? There has not been a single foal born here since the stable door closed. I asked Drop about it, and she informed that the festival was the first time we'd had sex here in the stable. And it's not just me. Again. It was as if we all forgot what we were doing here, like we forgot we who we were. The overmare is more than a bit concerned.

ARGON NOBLE Log # 456

A cult. An actual cult. There's a cult in our stable. They're actually worshiping the Craftium. Claiming to hear voices. The overmare was upset, saying that she'd have them locked up in medical if not for the fact she was hearing voices as well. Come to think of it so have I. Not words, more like someone muttering from a distance. The cult disbanded after this revelation. Guess finding out you aren't the chosen ones is a good way of doing that. Ore Ion came back from the mines that day as well, she'd been down their for months. We didn't even notice she was missing. But she acted as if it was no big deal. She said that she had to come back because something was messing with her vision. With her vision? She looked half dead from starvation. She kept talking about how the veins of Craftium were moving on their own. Overmare sent her straight to the medical wing with guards to watch her.

ARGON NOBLE Log #462

It's been so long since I've written in this terminal. Weeks? Months? Who knows. Could be years for all we're concerned. The upper levels have been abandoned. And we've constructed fortification. But it's not use. Nothing helps. She's invincible. She's won't be held back long by the captain's shield. She could get through at any moment. But, it's not just her. Even inside the shield we've seen other with the signs. It's just a matter of time.

ARGON NOBLE Log #464

Final entry. This is the end. The cold has stopped her. Stopped the signs. But at the cost of all of us. Absolute zero. That's what the overmare asked for. That's what we're giving. If anyone reads this, find the overmare. Please. Excuse me now. I'm going to go comfort my wife before the end. At least our hearts are warm again.

---THAT'S ALL THE ONES I FELT WERE IMPORTANT---

Mercy shook her head as she turned to look at the frozen ponies. "I'm still confused."

---LET'S FIND MORE INFORMATION---

Wordlessly, the mare got up and left.
> Chapter Twenty-Three: The Heart of the Matter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mercy Andromeda thought it strange as she went deeper still into the stable. Perhaps she was blacking out, it almost felt like she had been absent for years. She shook her head and carefully plodded onward through the menagerie of frozen lovers. There were hundreds of them, and more still the deeper she went.

Then she came upon another barricade. This one was constructed with heavy equipment. Great earth movers welded together with lengths of rebar and scrap metal. Frozen ponies pressed themselves against it, desperation and anger on their faces as they used their last moments to hold something back.

---WHATEVER IS PAST HERE WAS THE REAL DANGER--- Rarity warned.

"And it's what we're here to find," Mercy said as she ignited her DMCs, offsetting them to make a saw, the frozen steel practically shattering as she cut a path. Past that she observed a field of sharpened steel poles facing into the darkness, above a sea of broken glass. "And it was barely stoppable."

There was a trail of bent and blunted poles leading up the barricade.

---YOU CAN HOLD OFF IF YOU'RE NOT READY, DEAR---

Andromeda shook her head. "No. This is what I have to do. Whatever this thing is, it needs to be dealt with right away."

---OF COURSE DEAR--- HAVE YOUR SHOTGUN READY---

Wordlessly, the mare unslung the double-barreled devastator and checked that both barrels were loaded and the safety was off. It floated alongside her as she stepped into the darkness, her magic and Rarity acting as her only lights.

The plastic tunnel soon gave way to roughly chiseled stone and further past that a gaping maw in the depths of the world opened up with a spiraling ramp downwards into the darkness. It was also where all the defenses ended, smashed barriers and frozen corpses littered the rim. Some seemed to have died fighting each other.

They had found the mine of the craftium. The former housewife was certain of it.

And just as she took that first step to descend the ramp, she froze.

...

---MERCY?---

... ...

---MERCY, DARLING. PLEASE. YOU ARE SCARING ME---

"... you don't hear that do you?" Mercy asked as she took a step back. "It's like a distant murmuring."

---OH DEAR--- YOU CAN NOT GO ON--- YOU READ THOSE REPORTS TOO--- IT THE VOICES ISN'T IT?---

Andromeda nodded, but she did not back down. "We keep going. There is nothing for us if we turn around now."

---BUT---

"No," she said firmly before Rarity could finish texting across her helmet. "What will I do? Where will I go? There is no choice, Rarity. I'm sorry."

---

---VERY WELL DEAR--- BUT PREPARE YOURSELF--- WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S LIVES DOWN THERE---

Silently, they descended into the abyss. The darkness was heavy, and the ground rough. Andromeda's ears twitched as the murmuring grew ever louder. She swore she could pick out a word or two here and there. The voice was deep and almost playful.

Toying...

After what seemed hours, they arrived at the bottom of the quarry. Goodness, how deep did these ponies dig?

The ground and walls glittered with a strange gleam in the light of her magic.

"Craftium," she said as she approached it to investigate.

Her booted hoof slid over the surface. It ran in veins of small particles, like tendrils.

Beautiful isn't it?

"Who's there?" Andromeda cried as she leaped back, shining her light about the darkness.

Deeper...

---MERCY--- WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?---

"It's telling me to go deeper," answered the frightened mare. "It's... it's a real voice... not one you hear but... like a thought you know you're not thinking."

---I HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE--- Rarity consoled her. ---I UNDERSTAND--- JUST BE CAREFUL---

"Yeah, it's obviously a trap of some sort," Mercy said as he hefted her shotgun, finding herself wishing she could shove more shells into each barrel. "Let's continue, shall we?"

Ever deeper they traversed. The voice grew louder, and the glittering craftium brighter. At some point the ground began to vibrate beneath her hooves. It was as if something was boring through the earth below. The tunnel itself began growing ever wider.

Until they came to a room, where the craftium was no longer particles, but solid veins and branches jutting from the rocks themselves. As if someone had spent months, or even years meticulously unearthing the heart of the mine. Now they see the true form of the craftium, a silvery red ore...

...rhythmically pulsing.

---IT'S ALIVE--- Rarity commented.

"Oh, I am."

The walls should with a deep voice, no longer be confined within Mercy's head. The game took a step back in fright and turned her muzzle to the ceiling, gasping.

It was a twisted cathedral, darkness and evil dripping from every misshaped pillar and balcony no matter the amount of light shining from the craftium organ.

"I've been expecting you, Mercy," it continued. "Won't you join us?"

BLAM! BLAM!

Andromeda was not in the mood for conversing with eldritch abomination today. She swiftly moved to reload her shotgun while observing the lack of damage she had done. The entity laughed at her struggle.

"There is no need for violence anymore. I can show you a way to achieve your heart's deepest desire." The voice now sounded like it was whispering in her ear, infiltrating and clouding her mind. "I have seen your loss, little one. I have seen your crimes. I can make it all disappear. I can heal your every pain. All I require in return is your body. With that suit as my vessel, I could take you to the surface and return all that was lost."

Lies. Mercy Andromeda knew it was lies. But her mind began to fill with the smiling faces of her family. Then the foul creature began mimicking their voicing.

"Mommy, come play with us."

"Honey? You need to wake up, come join us."

"Mommy, I got an A in school today."

"No!" cried mercy, falling to her haunches. the gun clattering to the ground as her mind began to overflow again.

---MERCY--- WHAT IS HAPPENING?--- YOU HAVE TO FIGHT THIS---

"No! No! No!"

The world around her began to fade, as the voices and memories consumed her from within. The mission... her friends... those that were depending on her... all vanished. A hollowness grew within her. An emptiness void of these terrible things, of everything.

She found herself crawling towards it. That would make the pain stop. The blackness would end it all. Peace was within her reach if she just crawled a bit further into the hollow.

---EMERGENCY OVERRIDE PROTOCOL ACTIVATED---

The mare stopped her struggling and picked herself up. Grabbing the shotgun and reloading it in a smooth manner.

"What?" the entity rumbled angrily. "How did you break free? Your body was mine."

"This body, isn't even mine, much less yours," Rarity said with a scowl as she took aim.

BLAM!

"Mercy has been through so much."

BLAM!

"Had everything taken from her,"

BLAM!

"And you have the gall to torment her."

BLAM!

"Lie to her."

BLAM!

"And who knows what other terrible things."

BLAM!

"I will not let you take what she has left," Rarity cried in unladylike rage. "She is the last friend I have in this world. I will be damned if I let you take her from me."

"Who are you?" the voice demanded, the veins and organs shaking madly. "Why can't I find you? Where is your mind?"

BLAM! BLAM! Was Rarity's answer. Pouring every remaining shell into the alloy.

"I am a primordial god," he declared wrathfully. "You will submit and answer to us."

"No," was all she had to say in response. The shotgun dropped to the ground beside her, ammo spent.

It was silent a moment. Perhaps shocked at her defiance. Then it laughed.

"Very well," it said. "I was being kind before. All I need is the suit, the body within can be replaced with any number of my other vessels."

The arteries near the ground rumbled and split open. Forms dropped to the stone floor, landing in heaps.

Ponies. Hairless with silvery veins showing beneath the translucent flesh.

They slowly picked themselves up. Opening their eyes to reveal dripping black orbs.

One-by-one, they opened their mouths to show sharp metal teeth and roared an unearthly dirge that would have cracked Mercy's crystal helmet with their volume and power.

Rarity smirked as she set her hooves, the cracks healing already.

"Oh, darling. This is going to be fabulous!"