Prologue - Course of Nature

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In the revered halls of Stable 50, an atmosphere thick with apprehension surrounded Silver Whiskers as he paced the sterile corridors with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Excited yet nervous," he mumbled to himself, his voice trembling with a blend of anxiety and anticipation. His heart fluttered within his chest, a testament to the weighty responsibility of impending fatherhood he bore with both pride and trepidation.

A seasoned PipBucks programmer, Silver Whiskers cut a striking figure with his ash-grey coat and a mane adorned in shades of regal purple and deepest black. His cutie mark, a magnifying glass, symbolized his expertise in technology—a skill that had served him well within the sheltered enclave of Stable 50.

Yet, as Scarlet's cries echoed through the halls, Silver Whiskers felt a profound unease grip him. Each cry served as a stark reminder of the precarious situation they faced, teetering between hope and despair.

"I pray our foal emerges unscathed," Silver whispered fervently into the silence, his voice carrying a plea for solace amidst uncertainty. Scarlet, his steadfast companion, had weathered the trials of pregnancy with remarkable strength—a testament to her resilience.

As agonizing minutes stretched into hours, Silver found himself caught in a limbo of apprehension and longing. Yet, amid the uncertainty, a flicker of hope remained—a beacon of light in the encroaching darkness.

"And now, it's time," Scarlet exclaimed, her hooves clutching the stretcher tightly as the moment approached.

"Hold on, Mrs. Scarlet, it's almost time," reassured one of the attending physicians, extending a gentle hoof to assist in guiding the newborn's arrival.

With a primal roar, Scarlet's cries filled the birthing chamber, each one a testament to her labor. Outside, Silver paced restlessly, his heart filled with apprehension and hope, silently praying for his wife's well-being.

The crescendo of Scarlet's anguish reached its peak until, at last, with a final cry, her strength waned, and a hushed silence fell over the chamber.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Scarlet, it's a beautiful filly!" exclaimed the doctor, presenting the newborn to her weary mother.

With a trembling sigh of relief, Scarlet reached out for her daughter, tears of joy and exhaustion in her eyes. "My beautiful filly," she murmured softly.

Meanwhile, Silver stood transfixed, his heart aflutter with anticipation. As he approached, his eyes filled with wonder at the sight of his daughter cradled in Scarlet's arms.

"She's our beautiful filly," Scarlet cooed, filled with pride.

Silver smiled tenderly. "She's as adorable as her mother."

"What name do you think suits her?" Scarlet asked.

"I've been pondering, and I believe Stardust Glitter suits her," Silver replied excitedly, as if in agreement, the newborn babbled contentedly.

"It's splendid," Scarlet said, cradling Stardust with care. "She seems to approve."

"Come to Daddy, Stardust," Silver beckoned, holding his daughter close.

"I'll be the best father to you, Stardust," Silver vowed, gazing at his daughter with adoration.

As they embarked on this new chapter, Scarlet and Silver were united in their commitment to nurturing Stardust Glitter through the trials and triumphs ahead.

A year had flown by since Stardust's entrance into the world, and now she found herself nestled in her mother's room within Stable 50.

Scarlet, an alluring mare, held the esteemed position of Shift Supervisor within the stable. With her radiant scarlet coat and a vibrant yellow mane cascading over one eye, she exuded confidence and grace. Adorned with spiked bracelets around her neck and forehooves, Scarlet's unicorn lineage was evident, her magical prowess underscored by her cutie mark—a constellation of blue stars representing her innate talents.

The rooms within the stable were modest but cozy. In the living area, Stardust played with a Sparkle Cola toy truck, its crimson exterior featuring Twilight Sparkle holding a bottle.

Observing Stardust's fascination with the toy, Scarlet gently intervened with her magic, taking the truck from her daughter's mouth. "Oh, my darling, it seems you're fond of Sparkle Cola. But this is just a toy, not the real drink," she remarked, her voice tender as she addressed Stardust.

Stardust's eyes began to glisten with unshed tears as she watched her cherished toy being taken away. "Mommy, I want toy, buaahhh," she whimpered, her distress evident in her infantile protest.

"Don't cry, sweetheart. Here, play with this instead," Scarlet cooed, conjuring a Hershey toy with her magic and offering it to Stardust, a gesture of comfort in the face of her daughter's disappointment.

Stardust's penchant for exploring the world through her mouth was evident as she contentedly gnawed on the Hershey toy, her earlier distress fading away.

"She certainly has a knack for putting things in her mouth. I'll need to be vigilant and keep potential hazards out of her reach," Scarlet mused to herself, her gaze fixed on her daughter with unwavering devotion.

As the soft glow of the television illuminated the room, Scarlet's attention was drawn to a vibrant advertisement for the Sparkle-World amusement park. The lively jingle and colorful imagery enticed her, immersing her in a whimsical realm of childhood wonder.

"The one and only Sparkle-World amusement park, offering an unparalleled experience!" chimed the voices of multiple ponies in unison, their harmonious melody weaving a tapestry of excitement and anticipation.

With rapt attention, Stardust and Scarlet watched as the park's mascots, Bottle and Cappy, danced across the screen in a playful introductory animation.

"Welcome to Sparkle-World, where the fun never ends! I'm Cappy, and this is my friend, Bottle!" proclaimed Cappy, his design resembling a pony crafted from bottle caps.

"Hi, everypony!" greeted Bottle, his form fashioned from gleaming glass in the shape of a bottle.

Scarlet couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity as she observed the lively antics of the mascots. "So, this is the place that everypony's been talking about," she mused inwardly, her interest piqued by the promise of adventure that lay within the confines of Sparkle-World.

"And we're here to ensure you have a blast and create lasting memories with your loved ones," declared Cappy with exuberance.

"However, safety always comes first! Be sure to adhere to the listed age, height, weight, and health restrictions," cautioned Bottle, his tone imbued with a sense of solemn responsibility.

"Use Sunscreen"

"Stay in your seat to stay safe."

"Make sure your foal is supervised as necessary."

"And of course, stay hydrated with a delicious Sparkle-Cola!"

As the advertisement continued, showcasing the myriad delights of Sparkle-World, Stardust's eyes sparkled with delight, her innocent babble of "Sparler wor" punctuating the air as she clapped her tiny hooves in time with the infectious rhythm of the commercial.

"The place where foals smile and play, Sparkle-World, is the right place for them—candy, games, lots of games, with family and friends!" Several ponies sang at the same time in perfect synchronicity.

Observing her daughter's infectious enthusiasm, Scarlet couldn't help but smile. "I can see you're excited about Sparkle-World, Stardust. But we'll save that discussion for when you're a bit older, alright?" she murmured affectionately, her heart brimming with maternal warmth as she gazed upon her precious daughter.

Silver's weary form entered through the door, the weight of his day evident in the weary slump of his shoulders. Yet, despite his exhaustion, a flicker of determination danced in his eyes as he greeted his beloved family. "I'm here, family," he announced, his voice infused with a mixture of weariness and unwavering devotion.

"Oh, Silver, you have no idea how delighted I am to see you," Scarlet exclaimed, closing the distance between them to plant a tender kiss upon his lips.

"Likewise, my dear. I've missed Stardust terribly," Silver replied, his voice brimming with genuine affection as he cast an adoring gaze upon his daughter. "Why don't you come say hello to Daddy, Stardust?" he beckoned, extending his front hooves in a welcoming embrace.

Stardust, ever eager to explore the world around her, responded to her father's call with a determined crawl, her tiny form inching closer with each determined movement. Though she stumbled and faltered along the way, her determination remained unyielding, her eyes alight with excitement as she reached her father's waiting embrace.

"Look at her go, she's already a pro crawler," Scarlet remarked, her heart swelling with maternal pride as she watched her daughter's valiant efforts.

"I couldn't be prouder," Silver declared, his voice laced with paternal warmth as he scooped Stardust into his embrace, lifting her high upon his shoulders.

As Scarlet prepared to depart for work, she issued a series of instructions to her husband, her tone tinged with a hint of maternal concern. "Make sure Stardust gets to bed by seven, dear, and be sure to follow the list of foods I've left for you in the kitchen. And remember, keep a close eye on her, she has a penchant for putting objects in her mouth."

"Don't worry, my love. I am more than capable of handling fatherhood," Silver reassured, his voice tinged with pride at the prospect of caring for his daughter solo.

With a final exchange of affectionate farewells, Scarlet departed, leaving Silver and Stardust alone in the cozy confines of their home. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Silver seized the opportunity to bond with his daughter, his playful tone belying the deep affection he held for his family.

"Now that your mother's away, it's just you and me, Stardust. Let's have some fun, shall we?" Silver proposed, producing a brightly colored ball from the nearby toy chest. With a skillful flick of his hoof, he sent the ball bouncing across the room, eliciting gleeful laughter from his daughter as she gleefully chased after it, her tiny hooves pattering across the floor in pursuit of the elusive toy. In that moment, as father and daughter shared in the simple joy of play, the bonds of family grew stronger, united by love and laughter in the warmth of their home.

As the years drifted by and Stardust reached the milestone of twelve, the bustling cafeteria of Stable 50 was adorned with cheerful balloons emblazoned with "Happy Birthday," a simple yet heartfelt gesture that filled Stardust's heart with joy. Surrounded by her closest friends and adoring parents, she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the love and companionship that filled the room.

"Happy birthday, Stardust!" echoed the chorus of well-wishes from the assembled guests, their voices blending into a harmonious chorus of celebration.

Beaming with excitement at the prospect of spending the day surrounded by loved ones, Stardust graciously accepted the outpouring of affection. "Thank you all so much! This truly means the world to me. I can already tell this will be the best birthday ever!"

Scarlet, her eyes shimmering with emotion, couldn't help but marvel at how quickly her daughter had grown. "It feels like just yesterday you were a little foal, crawling around and exploring the world," she remarked, brushing a tear from her cheek.

Silver, wrapping his arms around Scarlet in a gesture of shared sentimentality, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, time flies by in the blink of an eye. But every moment with you has been a blessing, Stardust."

Amidst the joyous revelry, Stardust's friend Violet Glow approached, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Time certainly does fly, Judith. And speaking of time, I've brought you a special surprise," she teased, a playful grin tugging at her lips.

Stardust's imagination whirred with excitement as she pondered the possibilities. "Could it be a new spiked bracelet? A collection of Sparkle-Cola trucks? Or perhaps even a robotic servant like Flytronix?" she mused aloud, her anticipation palpable.

With a chuckle, Violet shook her head in amusement. "Oh, you're way off the mark, Stardust. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised," she declared, producing a comic book from her mane with a flourish. "It's the comic adaptation of the Book of Judith—the tale of the mare who saved Equestria!" she announced excitedly, presenting the cherished gift to her friend with a beaming smile.

"Thank you so much, Violet! You know how much I adore Judith. My room is practically a shrine to her plushies," Stardust exclaimed gratefully, tucking the comic safely into her mane for later enjoyment.

Violet chuckled at Stardust's admission, her playful tone laced with affection. "That's an understatement. Your room is practically a museum dedicated to Judith!" she teased, her sarcasm dripping with amusement.

"Well, what can I say? I'm Judith's biggest fan," Stardust replied proudly, a twinkle of admiration in her eyes.

"I can't argue with that," Violet conceded with a grin. "So, what do you say we head to my room after the party? We can have some fun and maybe even read that comic together."

"I'd love that! I don't have any plans for later, so count me in," Stardust agreed enthusiastically.

As the friends made plans for their post-party activities, the Overmare arrived, her expression filled with concern. "Have they sung 'Happy Birthday' yet? Did I miss it?" she inquired anxiously, her voice tinged with worry.

Silver couldn't help but mutter a sardonic remark to Scarlet, "Probably delayed by yet another hangover."

Scarlet responded with a gentle rebuke, "Now, now, dear, let's give her the benefit of the doubt. She's had her fair share of responsibilities to manage."

Stardust, ever understanding and forgiving, reassured the Overmare with a warm smile. "Don't worry, Overmare. You haven't missed it, but even if you had, I understand how busy you must be. Thank you for coming, and happy birthday!" she exclaimed, her tone brimming with genuine appreciation.

The Overmare returned Stardust's warm wishes with enthusiasm, a smile gracing her features. "Thank you, Stardust! And speaking of birthdays, I have a little something for you," she announced, producing a PipBuck from her mane and offering it to Stardust with a hoof extended.

Stardust's eyes lit up with excitement as she accepted the gift, slipping it onto her hoof with eager anticipation. "Oh wow, look Mom, Dad! I've got my very own PipBuck! I've always wanted one!" she exclaimed joyfully, displaying her new acquisition to her parents with pride.

Scarlet beamed at her daughter, her eyes filled with pride. "Well done, Stardust. Now we're all equipped with PipBucks."

Silver chimed in, offering a suggestion. "Indeed, I could tinker with it to add some personal touches, make it uniquely yours."

"Sounds like a plan, Dad, but right now I've got plans with Violet," Stardust replied, turning her attention to her friend. "Let's dig in, Violet!"

Violet chuckled, a hint of sarcasm in her voice as she teased, "If Flytronix is cutting the cake, count me out. We all know how that'll turn out."

"He's just trying to help, Violet. Besides, he's a friend," Stardust defended, leading the way towards Flytronix.

Flytronix, the helpful robot responsible for maintaining order in Stable 50, was also in charge of cake-cutting duties during celebrations. Despite his best efforts, his attempts often ended in chaos, much to the amusement of the stable's residents.

"Alright, everypony, cake time!" Flytronix announced, wielding his saw with mechanical precision, albeit with messy results.

Stardust and Violet found themselves covered in cake as Flytronix's cutting technique left much to be desired.

"You never fail to make a mess, Flytronix. Do you do this at every party?" Violet grumbled, clearly frustrated by the robot's consistent mishaps.

Flytronix apologized profusely, explaining, "I can only cut cakes with the equipment I have."

Stardust, ever the optimist, tried to lighten the mood. "It's alright, Violet. He's doing his best."

Violet raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Are you sure it's safe to eat that cake? Who knows where his saw has been?"

"Don't worry, Flytronix probably had a maintenance check before the party. His equipment must be clean," Stardust reassured, already digging into the cake with gusto.

"Still, I'll pass. You enjoy it though," Violet said, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

"More for me then!" Stardust declared cheerfully, relishing each bite of cake.

"Try not to overdo it, dear. We don't want any tummy aches," Scarlet cautioned, her concern evident in her tone.

"Don't worry, Mum. I'll only have half," Stardust promised, her enthusiasm undiminished.

Stardust grinned mischievously as she swallowed her last bite of cake. "I've got an idea to spice up this party," she announced eagerly, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

Violet sighed, shaking her head in resignation. "Please don't tell me you're going to do that again," she muttered, already foreseeing the chaos that was about to unfold.

"You guessed it! I'm going to sing the Breña song!" Stardust declared, her magical aura enveloping the nearby jukebox as she manipulated it to play the infamous tune.

"Oh, here we go again," Violet groaned, a slight frown forming on her face as she braced herself for the inevitable.

As the instrumental filled the room, Stardust rose from her seat with dramatic flair, clutching a party cone as though it were a microphone. "My reflection wraps and pulls me under," she sang, closing her eyes as she immersed herself in the music.

"Stardust, that's not exactly the most festive song for a birthday..." Violet commented, a hint of annoyance in her tone, though she couldn't help but find the situation slightly amusing.

Ignoring Violet's protest, Stardust continued to sing, her voice carrying a mixture of earnestness and determination. "Healing waters to be bathed in Breña," she crooned, trying her best to maintain the serious tone of the song despite the lighthearted occasion.

"I hope you don't plan on serenading me with this on my birthday," Violet remarked, her sarcasm evident in her voice.

Stardust playfully hushed her friend, leaning in close with a hoof pressed to Violet's mouth. "Shhhh, Violet. Guide me safely in worlds I've never been," she sang, her voice softening as she focused on the lyrics.

"Silver, I'm pretty sure Stardust developed a taste for that song because of you," Scarlet teased, her tone playful as she watched their daughter perform.

"Well, I used to listen to it a lot back when I was her age. It's got some deep lyrics, and I figured she might appreciate it," Silver replied, scratching his head with a hoof, a sheepish smile on his face.

"Vulneraaaaaable," Stardust sang out, stepping forward confidently, her voice ringing out clear and melodious. "It's aaaaaaaaall riiiiiight."

"Stardust never fails to impress," Violet thought to herself, watching her friend's performance with a mixture of amusement and admiration.

"You're so unique, Stardust, and really pretty too. I can't wait for our sleepover. I'm excited to do all our usual activities when we're alone," Violet said dreamily, resting a hoof against her cheek.

Hours after Stardust's birthday party had ended, Violet and Stardust were enjoying a sleepover in Violet's room, each dressing in their own style.

Violet had donned a bright pink tutu adorned with sunflowers, her mane cascading in waves around her.

Meanwhile, Stardust wore a pink dress, complemented by blue pearl earrings, white princess gloves adorning her front hooves, and a delicate golden crown perched atop her head.

"Stardust, with that black mane of yours, the pink dress might seem a bit off," Violet remarked, placing her makeup kit on the bed.

"I've always had a fondness for black, even if most ponies call it a 'boring' color. Maybe I should have requested a black dress, but I do like pink too," Stardust replied, kneeling gracefully on Violet's bed.

"Despite that, you look adorable in that dress, honestly," Violet said, her cheeks tinged with a blush.

Stardust couldn't help but share in Violet's blush. "Aww, Violet, you always make me blush with your sweet words."

"But it's true. And I have an idea to make things even more exciting. Let's try using lipstick this time," Violet suggested, reaching for a tube of lipstick and beginning to apply it.

Stardust hesitated, taking a lipstick as well. "Are you sure you want us to kiss with this? It'll leave marks, and what if your parents catch us?"

"My parents are probably fast asleep by now. It's nearly midnight, and they work tirelessly," Violet reassured with a slight smile.

"I hope you're right. I'd rather not find out their reaction if they caught us," Stardust replied, a hint of worry in her voice as she applied the lipstick.

"Trust me, being both a doctor and head of security is no easy feat," Violet said, meeting Stardust's gaze with sincerity.

Once they both finished applying their lipstick, they glanced nervously at each other, cheeks flushed with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

"I'll go first," Violet said softly, inching closer to Stardust and planting gentle kisses on both her left and right cheeks.

"These moments mean everything to me. They make me feel so loved and cherished. We've done this plenty of times, I can't let nerves ruin it," Stardust thought to herself, her blush deepening.

Violet then pressed a kiss to Stardust's forehead, leaving behind a trail of affectionate marks as she closed her eyes and rested her hooves on Stardust's shoulders.

As she opened her eyes and beheld the shower of kisses adorning Stardust's face, Violet couldn't help but admire her friend's adorable appearance. "Wow, Stardust, you're all marked up. It only makes you look even cuter," she said, gently running a hoof through Stardust's mane.

"I could say the same about you, Violet. Now it's my turn to kiss you," Stardust said, taking a deep breath. "I hope you enjoy it as much as I do."

Stardust inched closer to Violet, her heart fluttering with anticipation as she leaned in to press gentle kisses to Violet's forehead. Each soft touch of her lips against Violet's skin filled the room with a tender echo.

Feeling Stardust's kisses, Violet couldn't help but tremble slightly with nerves, though she cherished every moment of their connection. There was something profoundly intimate about these silent exchanges, where their emotions spoke volumes without the need for words.

"I think I've left my mark all over your face," Stardust said, her voice soft and gentle.

"It felt wonderful, Stardust. Now that we're marked, the best part is yet to come. Are you ready for the next step?" Violet asked, her tone mirroring Stardust's softness.

Stardust took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. "Ye- yes," she stammered, her heart pounding with anticipation.

With a shared understanding and trust, Violet leaned in to kiss Stardust on the lips. As their lips met, a surge of warmth and affection enveloped them both. They embraced each other, their hearts beating in sync as their deep friendship blossomed into something even more profound.

Stardust and Violet shared a longing glance, their hearts heavy with the knowledge that their moments together were limited. "It's a shame that we can't do this more often, I cherish these moments," Stardust murmured, her expression soft.

"I feel the same way, but you know how strict my parents can be, especially my mother. If only they were as lenient as yours," Violet lamented, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.

"We could try to have another sleepover next week, and maybe we'll get some time alone again," Stardust suggested optimistically, placing a comforting hoof on Violet's shoulder.

"Convincing my parents might be a challenge," Violet admitted, her gaze dropping to the floor.

"I'll do my best to persuade them. You know the sad dog eyes always work wonders," Stardust said with a grin, recalling past successes.

Violet chuckled softly. "That's true. I still can't believe you managed to convince them to let me stay in your room that one time."

As they relaxed on the bed, Stardust brought up the issue of the kiss marks. "What should we do about these marks? Should we try to wash them off soon?"

"Let's wait until tomorrow morning. I don't want to rush it," Violet replied, gently stroking Stardust's mane.

"Sounds like a plan," Stardust agreed, pressing a kiss to Violet's hoof.

With a sense of contentment, the two friends continued to enjoy their sleepover, lost in their activities and dreams for the future.

To be continued

Chapter 1 - Mer de Noms

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Stardust's excitement bubbled beneath her skin like a shaken soda bottle. Today was no ordinary day—it marked her 18th birthday, and the anticipation of her first venture to the surface tingled in her veins. For years, her parents had fretted over her obsession with Sparkle-World, the amusement park she'd only ever dreamed of visiting. To prepare her for this momentous occasion, they'd subjected her to rigorous training sessions every Wednesday and Friday since she turned sixteen.

But today was different. Today, she would finally step out into the world above, and the thought of it kept her awake all night, her anticipation refusing to let her succumb to sleep. As the clock struck five in the morning, Stardust found herself in the kitchen. A bowl of cereal adorned with marshmallows sat before her, and her favorite radio station, "We Know Everything," provided the soundtrack to her excitement.

As Stardust savored each spoonful of cereal, her ears perked to catch every word of the radio hosts' banter. She knew she had to wait patiently for her parents to wake before the day's training could begin—a training her father promised would push her abilities to their limits.

With each passing minute, Stardust's heart beats a little faster, her mind buzzing with anticipation. Today was the day she'd prove herself ready to face the world beyond the confines of her underground home. And she couldn't wait to see what adventures awaited her on the surface.

**Intro music**

Announcer: "And now, for another riveting episode of "Authentic Equestrian Justice" with your host, Judge Skirt Chaser! Today's case: number two hundred and forty-seven, exploring the creative ways to be unfaithful to your wife. Let's see if we can pick up some tips!"

**Hoof Clapping**

Judge Skirt Chaser: "Fillies and gentlecolts, or should I say, gentlecolts and fillies, because let's remember, gentlecolts always come first." **Clarifying his voice** "Today, we've got quite the intriguing case on our hooves. The plaintiff, Bubblegum, is suing Jackpot for his alleged infidelity. She's seeking a hefty sum of five hundred bottle caps for emotional damages and another fifty bottle caps to buy herself a clock. Let's welcome the litigants into the courtroom."

**Hoof Steps sound**

"Another couples' quarrel? This is going to be juicy. I love a good drama," Stardust chuckled to herself as she savored her cereal, her ears perked up to catch every word on the radio.

Bubblegum: "Judge, I would like to—"

Judge Skirt Chaser: "Shhhhh, mare, shhh. First, I want to hear what Jackpot has to say."

Bubblegum: "What?! I'm the plaintiff, I'm the one who should speak first. Isn't that how this is supposed to work?"

Judge Skirt Chaser: "It doesn't work like that in my courtroom. Stallions always go first, so keep quiet."

Bubblegum: **Quietly** "Idiot."

Jackpot: "Hahaha! Finally, somepony needed to shut this bitch up."

Judge Skirt Chaser: "Well, Jackpot, your wife... has quite the cutie mark, I must say. Explain yourself. Why were you unfaithful to Bubblegum?"

Jackpot: "It all started one morning when she found a Voodoo doll, and she believes that I am having some kind of relationship with that Voodoo. I have explained to her many times that it is just a voodoo doll. It's not strange at all. I need to please myself sometimes."

Judge Skirt Chaser: "Seriously, Bubblegum? You're wasting my time. Just because your husband is a plushophile? That does not count as unfaithful. We cannot expect anything from the mares. The case is closed."

Bubblegum: "What?! I haven't even explained my side of the story. There is much more behind that Voodoo doll!"

Judge Skirt Chaser: **Sigh of annoyance** "Okay, explain your part of the story. I need more listeners, which translates to more bottle caps to spend on drugs and alcohol to destroy my career and my life."

Bubblegum: "Finally, the females have some rights in this courtroom." **Cough** "That voodoo doll is identical to my best friend, which not only makes it strange but suspicious. It doesn't look like me but like my best friend."

Judge Skirt Chaser: "But that's still not infidelity, Bubblegum. It's just a voodoo doll."

Jackpot: "She gave it to me as a gift. What's wrong with that?"

Bubblegum: "You thought I would never notice? Do you think I'm stupid?"

Judge Skirt Chaser and Jackpot: "Yes."

Bubblegum: "Stop the misogyny, damn it!"

Judge Skirt Chaser: "Sorry, I didn't know properties could have sensitive feelings. Continue with your story, please."

Bubblegum: "Anyway, the voodoo doll turns out to be powered by magic. Do you know what voodoo sex is, Judge?"

Judge Skirt Chaser: "No, I've never heard of that concept before. Explain what it is.

Bubblegum: "Jackpot was having sex with my best friend through the voodoo doll using magic; she is a unicorn, so I'm sure she used a spell to be able to have sex with him from a distance, without the need to see each other."

Judge Skirt Chaser: "Are you saying that... They don't even have to see each other; I mean, he fucked your friend using the voodoo doll as a stimulant. Is that what you mean?"

Bubblegum: "Exactly. Jackpot put his dick inside the voodoo doll hole that it had right in the ass, while my friend felt the penetration from who knows where."

**Crowd shocked sound**

Judge Skirt Chaser: "Wow, the damn creativity! I like that idea; maybe I'll apply it one day. But is it possible to have oral sex with the voodoo?"

Bubblegum: "Apparently yes, you can; it has a hole in its mouth."

Jackpot: "I-I had suggested bigamy, but Bubblegum always refused. I was patient and kind, but she always said, 'No, that's a crime; no, that goes against my traditional values' Who the fuck cares about your values? We live in a wasteland; you can shove your traditions up your ass."

**Crowd clapping sound**

Bubblegum: "I don't care if I'm in a wasteland or in the middle of Armageddon; I'm not going to fuck my best friend and form a threesome. Marriages should only be two ponies, not three or four; that goes against the values that my parents implanted in me when I was a filly."

Jackpot: "See, Judge? This hussy is very boring; I want some fun; she's lucky that, despite being my property, I don't use her as a punching bag when I run out of beer."

Bubblegum: "I'd rather be hit; that turns me on, but my values remain!"

Judge Skirt Chaser:" Alright, after the commercials, we will see who will win the case—whether Bubblegum will keep the bottle caps or Jackpot will still maintain his marriage."

Interviewer: "While Judge Skirt is in his chamber making his decision, we head into the courtroom audience to hear some thoughts. Ma'am, what are your thoughts on today's case?"

Mare from the audience: "I'm on Bubblegum's side; today's stallions not only think about having daughters and then fuck them behind our backs, but they also discover new ways to hide it; any voodoo doll I see in my house is a red flag."

Interviewer: "And what do you think, sir?"

Stallion From the audience: "What can I say? If technology advances, why wouldn't the methods to cheat on your wife evolve too? She will never realize the affair I am having with her father with this technique."

Interviewer: "We'll be back in a few moments. This is 'We Know Everything', the best radio station in the wasteland. Stay tuned."

"Awww, commercials? The case was getting very interesting. I hope Bubblegum wins the case, but with Skirt being a mare-hater, I find it complicated. My parents taught me that cheating is not good, so all my support goes to Bubblegum regardless of the result," Stardust mused in her mind while she used her magic to scrub her plate and spoon. She was so immersed in the radio that she didn't want to get out of her chair.

Commercial Narrator: "Are you fed up with the large number of crimes that occur in the wasteland? Can't you go out into the wasteland without running into a rapist or bloodthirsty necrophile? Well, no more, the power ponies; they have revived, and now they will save the wasteland, not with friendship or kindness, but with lust and passion."

**Power Ponies Intro Music**

Power Ponies: "We are the Power Ponies, and we will save Equestria from those zebras and bad ponies!"

Zapp: "I'll do my special attack, Assnihilator! Yeah, yeah, Mmh Mmh, take this, naughty raider!"

Fili-Second: "I can jerk you off at the speed of light! **Clop** Clop** Oh, you already cummed?"

Hum Drum: "I'm just a self-insert to satisfy my sexual fantasies; I don't give a shit about being a useful character."

Radiance: "I will use my radiant dildo sword; eat this you fuckin' useless zebra shitbag!"

At that moment, Silver peered into the kitchen where the sound emanated from Stardust's PipBuck radio. He couldn't help but feel concerned that his daughter was exposed to such explicit content. The vulgarity and sexual nature of the radio program heightened his worry about the potential influence it could have on her impressionable mind.

"Good morning, Stardust," Silver greeted, his hoofsteps echoing lightly with concern.

"Morning, Dad. I've been waiting for you to start training," Stardust replied, promptly turning off the radio and meeting her father's gaze.

"I'm glad to hear that, dear, but I do have a concern about your fondness for those radio programs. Do you think they're a bit too risque?" Silver inquired, tilting his head with curiosity.

"I listen to them just for entertainment. I don't try to imitate what they talk about on the radio. Besides, it helps me stay informed about what's happening in the wasteland. Of course, they're satirical, but you can still get an idea," Stardust explained.

Silver's concern lingered, and he nervously brought a hoof to his mouth. In his mind, he imagined a disrespectful and reckless Stardust, a thought that made him tremble with worry. Yet, he didn't want to disappoint his daughter by outright forbidding something she enjoyed. "Well, just try not to listen to them too often, okay? You know I only want the best for you."

"I know, Dad. You tell me that every day. I'll still be the same Stardust," Stardust reassured, her voice soft and gentle.

"It's all right, dear. I'll get ready as quickly as I can to start training. I can see you're excited," Silver replied, still concerned but finding solace in spending time with his daughter.

"Of course, Dad! I can't wait to practice my gun fu! Remember that time I jumped in the air and, while doing a frontflip, I hit two targets with a machine gun? Well, I missed one, but it still looked so epic, don't you think?" Stardust exclaimed, shaking her front hooves in excitement.

Silver chuckled at his daughter's penchant for acrobatic moves during training. "Yes, I remember. That unique combat style of yours will definitely make your movements less predictable in real combat. It'll be hard for them to hit you. Just try not to show off too much," Silver said, raising a hoof and pointing playfully at Stardust.

As Silver and Stardust made their way through the dimly lit hallways of the Stable, the air was filled with a sense of purpose. Ponies of all ages bustled about, each with their own tasks and responsibilities. Some ponies hurried along, their hooves echoing off the metal walls as they rushed to their jobs, while others lingered at the bar, indulging in glasses of wine and lively conversation, their laughter mingling with the soft melody of the music playing in the background.

Security ponies stood watchful at various points throughout the corridor, their vigilant gazes sweeping over the bustling scene, ensuring that order was maintained within the confines of the Stable. Their presence added a sense of safety and security to the otherwise bustling atmosphere.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, young foals lined up eagerly outside a room marked with a sign that read "G.O.A.T Exam Classroom" They chatted animatedly amongst themselves, their excitement palpable as they prepared to take the test that would determine their future roles within the community.

As Silver and Stardust continued on their path, they encountered Violet Glow, a familiar face in the bustling hallway. Violet's eyes lit up with excitement as she spotted Stardust and her father approaching. With a warm smile, she greeted them enthusiastically, using the affectionate nickname Stardust had earned over the years. "Hey, Judith! Mr. Silver!" she called out, her voice filled with genuine emotion and excitement.

"Good to see you, Violet," Stardust greeted, her smile warm and genuine.

Violet returned the smile with equal warmth. "Same here. You're going to take the G.O.A.T exam, I imagine?" she asked.

"Indeed, my turn is at noon, so I still have some time. I could stay and chat," Violet suggested.

"Sure thing. Dad, why don't you go ahead and program the training capsule? Violet and I have some girl talk to catch up on," Stardust said playfully, winking at Violet.

Silver chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "Ah, I see. Wouldn't want to intrude on your private conversations. I'll do everything I can to make my Stardust happy," he said, pulling Stardust into a hug and planting a kiss on her cheeks.

Stardust returned the hug, feeling her heart swell with affection. "I love you too, Dad."

"I'll be waiting for you. Programming the central computer takes some time, and I wouldn't want to bore you with the details," Silver said, slowly releasing Stardust from the hug before making his way towards the training chamber located not far from where they stood.

Stardust's curiosity piqued, leaning in with a tilt of her head. "Did you catch the radio show, 'We Know Everything'? I was dying to find out who won between Bubblegum and Jackpot."

Violet burst into laughter, clutching her chest with a hoof. "Neither of them, can you believe it? They both died. The real winner has to defeat a manticore with nothing but a pillow! Of course, they didn't last long and ended up being manticore chow! Hahaha!" Violet struggled to stand upright, still chuckling uncontrollably.

"Aw, darn it. I missed the ending. Dad's always fretting about the radio content, so I have to cut it short," Stardust replied, giving a disappointed kick with her left front hoof.

"At least your folks let you listen to it. Mine would flip if they caught me tuning in. And being sixteen, you can bet I'd be in hot water," Violet said, wiping away a tear of laughter. "They only allow me to listen to the music ones or that Galaxy station, which is such a snooze fest."

"Yeah, they won't shut up about somepony named Littlepip saving the wasteland twenty years back. It's cool and all, but they need to switch it up a bit," Stardust said with a sarcastic chuckle, lifting her hoof and then lowering it in a dismissive gesture. "But hey, at least they've got some great post-war tunes by Sweetie Belle. 'Young Hearts Run Free' is my jam."

"Oh, I love that one! Mine's 'Any Love'. It's so lovely. Hey, what about that 'Toxic Toys' radio? They speak in Spanish; I can barely make heads or tails of it," Violet asked, cocking her head to the side.

"I avoid it for the same reason. Can't make heads or tails of it," Stardust admitted with a shrug.

"Well, I could give it a shot. Listen," Violet cleared her throat. "Tu eres mi mejor amiga, Stardust, y estaremos juntas por siempre," she said, attempting to speak in Spanish.

Stardust burst into laughter, throwing her head back at Violet's attempt. "Hahaha! I only caught my name, 'amiga', and 'por siempre', but that was kinda cute."

Violet's cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. "Thanks, Judith," she said, placing a hoof over her heart.

Stardust grinned at Violet. "No problem, Violet. Now, try saying 'Starry is a dumbass' in Spanish."

Violet stifled a giggle. "Starry es un pelotudo."

The two ponies erupted into laughter, exchanging playful nudges as they leaned on each other's shoulders.

"Hahahahahah! Pelotudo sounds so silly," Stardust managed to say between fits of laughter, her voice laced with amusement.

"Spanish is a riot, I'm telling ya. How about I teach you a bit of the language while we binge-watch some more episodes of the Power Ponies?" Violet suggested, rubbing her front hooves together eagerly.

"Forgot already? Today's my trip to Sparkle-World!" Stardust exclaimed, leaning forward in excitement.

Violet smacked a hoof to her forehead. "Oh, right, right. I totally blanked there. You'll have to fill me in on all the details when you get back."

"I will, and who knows, maybe I'll snag you a Zapp action figure along the way," Stardust said, casting a sidelong glance at Violet, anticipating her friend's thrilled reaction.

"Would you really do that for me? I've heard about the dangers out there in the wasteland, and believe me, just the thought of it gives me the heebie-jeebies," Violet admitted, her excitement tinged with a hint of concern.

"Don't sweat it, Violet. I might detour through a sex shop or two before I hit Sparkle-World, and with my gun fu skills, nopony can lay a hoof on me!" Stardust declared proudly, puffing out her chest.

"Thanks a bunch, Stardust. Seriously, that Zapp figure would mean the world to me. You know how much... butt she has..." Violet trailed off dreamily, pressing both front hooves to her cheeks.

Stardust nudged Violet with her elbow, raising an eyebrow. "Hahaha, I can tell you've got a soft spot for Zapp. Consider it an early Hearth's Warming Eve present."

"You're the best friend a pony could ask for. Just promise me you'll be careful out there, okay? I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you," Violet said earnestly, extending a hoof towards Stardust.

Stardust nodded solemnly and clasped Violet's hoof in hers, shaking it firmly as a symbol of their deep friendship.

"I gotta run. Good luck with your training, Judith," Violet said as she trotted off towards one of the classrooms, bidding farewell to Stardust.

Stardust waved goodbye and made her way to the training chamber, where her father awaited her eagerly.

As Stardust made her way toward the training chamber, her anticipation grew with each step. The chamber was spacious, filled with several capsules, each resembling futuristic pods where ponies could immerse themselves in virtual worlds. These capsules were numbered from one to ten, indicating their capacity to accommodate multiple ponies for training simulations.

In the center of the chamber stood a colossal central unit, housing a powerful computer system that controlled the virtual environments. Silver, her father, was diligently performing the final maintenance checks on the mainframe, ensuring everything was in working order. With a careful eye, he adjusted various components, his focus unwavering as he prepared for the training session.

"Look, Stardust," Silver said, turning his gaze towards his daughter with a warm smile. "It's all set up and ready to go. However, we'll need to replace the computer chip; it's a bit outdated. So, it might take a little longer for the virtual world to load properly."

"No problem, Dad, what worries me is the painful process of entering the Netrix," Stardust said, her body trembling slightly as she recalled the agony of previous experiences.

"I know it's painful, dear, but it'll only last for two seconds. Go ahead and enter capsule number one," Silver reassured her, pressing a button with his hoof to open the designated capsule.

As the capsule door swung open, a rush of cold air escaped, a chilling reminder of the process's necessity to keep the ponies within fresh and preserved. Stardust felt a mixture of excitement and dread as she prepared to enter the capsule, knowing what awaited her.

With hesitant steps, Stardust entered the capsule, taking in the familiar surroundings—a seat and glasses through which she would interface with the Netrix. Despite her apprehension, she lay down and positioned herself, bracing for the inevitable discomfort.

"I know you can do this, Stardust. Just hold on," Stardust whispered to herself, trying to find solace in her own words as she closed her eyes and tried to steady her shaking body.

"I'm going to put you into the Netrix. Think about your mother's soft hugs; that should calm you down," Silver's voice reassured her, the familiarity of his words offering a fleeting sense of comfort.

Stardust nodded, allowing herself to be engulfed by memories of her mother's warm embrace, a source of solace and strength in times of distress.

As the capsule sealed shut, robotic needles emerged, positioning themselves near Stardust's ears in preparation for the connection. With a sudden jolt, the needles pierced her ears, sending searing pain coursing through her body.

Stardust let out a piercing scream, her hooves clenched tightly as waves of agony washed over her. The sensation was akin to two sharp blades piercing the depths of her ears, a relentless assault that left her gasping for air and struggling to endure the torment.

Stardust's senses gradually returned as the intense pain subsided, replaced by a serene stillness. As she opened her eyes, she found herself immersed in a vast expanse of blank space—a telltale sign that the Netrix was still in the process of charging.

Clad in her signature training attire—a sleek black trench coat, stylish sunglasses, and black shoes adorning her back hooves—Stardust stood ready within her avatar's form in the Netrix.

With each passing moment, the Netrix hummed to life, gradually materializing a breathtaking scene before her eyes. A picturesque meadow unfolded, the previously blank canvas now transformed into a verdant landscape. The sky transitioned from a stark white to a brilliant azure hue, casting a warm glow over the surroundings. At the heart of the meadow stood a majestic sakura tree, its boughs laden with delicate pink blossoms that danced in the gentle breeze.

Stardust couldn't help but marvel at the scene unfolding before her. "My dad knows me so well," she mused inwardly, a smile gracing her lips. She didn't need to vocalize her preferences—her father had anticipated her desires perfectly. The vibrant and colorful landscape resonated deeply with Stardust, filling her with a sense of tranquility and anticipation.

Before Stardust, a series of blue squares materialized, each adorned with binary codes. These squares formed the digital representation of Silver's avatar—an AI programmed to engage in training simulations.

"Let me know when you're prepared, dear," Silver's avatar announced, adopting a combat stance on its two virtual hooves.

Stardust assumed a poised Wushu stance, her movements flowing with grace and precision. "When the first petal touches the ground, the duel shall commence," she declared, fixing her gaze unwaveringly upon her father's avatar, her senses attuned to any impending movement.

A gentle breeze swept through the virtual landscape, tousling their manes as the sakura tree released a cascade of delicate petals. As one of these blossoms descended in a slow, deliberate spiral, Stardust and Silver maintained their unyielding focus, their determination evident in the intensity of their locked gazes. Both were resolved to give their utmost in the forthcoming battle.

Father vs Daughter

As the petal gently touched the ground, Stardust lunged forward, executing a swift 360-degree spin kick aimed at Silver.

In response, Silver swiftly ducked, countering with a well-timed extension of his front hoof, which propelled Stardust backward with considerable force.

Midair, Stardust gracefully executed three backflips, skillfully regaining her balance just as Silver leaped high into the air, aiming to strike her with a powerful front hoof.

Anticipating the attack, Stardust deftly balanced on one hoof while extending the other toward Silver's chest, delivering a precise kick that sent him hurtling through the air.

With practiced agility, Silver executed a fluid 360-degree turn, gracefully landing on his knees upon the ground below.

Stardust charged toward Silver, aiming to strike him with a powerful front hoof.

Reacting swiftly, Silver rose to his hoof, blocking Stardust's attack by placing a hoof horizontally against his forehead.

Undeterred, Stardust launched a rear hoof in an attempt to kick Silver in the head.

Silver swiftly seized the rear hoof Stardust intended to use, attempting to throw her off balance. However, Stardust countered by delivering a swift kick with her other rear hoof, causing Silver to stagger backward. In the meantime, Stardust executed two fluid 360-degree turns mid-air.

Regaining his composure, Silver attempted to retaliate with a kick of his own. However, Stardust, having momentarily landed on the ground, deftly evaded his attack by executing a hoofless cartwheel, narrowly avoiding Silver's kick.

Stardust landed on the ground, shifting her fighting style to capoeira as her hind hooves remained suspended in the air.

As Silver advanced to attack, Stardust swiftly countered by grabbing him by the neck with her hind hooves, aiming to knock him to the ground.

Despite Stardust's attempt, Silver managed to maintain his balance, landing firmly on his rear hooves. Seizing the opportunity, he delivered a swift kick to Stardust's stomach.

Caught off guard, Stardust was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground. Undeterred, she quickly rose to her hoof, springing up with a powerful jump, and assumed a stance on her two front hooves, ready to continue the fight using capoeira.
Silver moved in to grab Stardust's hind hooves, aiming to leave her vulnerable.

Reacting swiftly, Stardust leaned her hind hooves forward, delivering a powerful strike to Silver's head, forcing him to retreat. She then executed a nimble sideflip, extending her hind hooves to aim a kick at Silver's shoulder.

Anticipating the attack, Silver dropped to the ground and rolled backward, narrowly avoiding Stardust's kick.

As Stardust rose to her knees, Silver also stood up, both ponies catching their breath amidst the intensity of the fight.

Taking a moment to strategize, Stardust exhaled heavily while Silver assumed a defensive stance.

Suddenly, the sky darkened, and heavy rain began to pour down accompanied by thunder and strong winds. The once-green meadow was now shrouded in darkness, with only the Sakura tree maintaining its vibrant color.

Silver charged toward Stardust, unleashing a spinning kick at full speed.

Stardust swiftly crouched, leaning backward to narrowly evade the kick. Taking advantage of her low position, she attempted to land a sweeping kick on Silver.

Reacting with agility, Silver raised his left hind hoof, narrowly dodging Stardust's attack. However, Stardust wasn't done yet. She skillfully executed a semi-hoofless cartwheel, delivering a powerful kick with her hind hooves right to Silver's cheek.

Despite the hit, Silver quickly recovered and retaliated with a dropkick aimed at Stardust's chest, sending her flying backward.

Stardust, propelled backward by Silver's dropkick, executed several backflips to regain her footing.

As Silver approached with a front hoof raised, Stardust performed a mid-air split, narrowly dodging his blow. In a swift motion, she extended her hind hooves, seizing Silver by the neck and bringing him down.

After creating distance, Stardust and Silver faced each other once more. Stardust dashed forward, launching a mid-air side kick. However, Silver evaded by leaning back. As Stardust landed, she followed up with a spinning back kick.

Silver swiftly ducked, avoiding Stardust's kick. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Stardust executed a half-moon kick, but Silver evaded again with a backward jump.

Undeterred, Stardust continued her assault with a 360 spinning kick, but Silver dodged once more by ducking. Seizing the chance, he attempted to strike Stardust with a front hoof.

Reacting quickly, Stardust grabbed Silver's hoof, preventing the blow. However, Silver used her hold to pull her off balance, attempting to topple her.

Stardust countered by performing a frontflip, maintaining her position. Before Silver could react, she jumped onto his knee and delivered a powerful kick to his head, causing him to collapse to the ground.

"Woohoo, I win!" Stardust exclaimed, celebrating her victory with a breakdance backspin.

Scarlet entered the training chamber, carrying a bag filled with items, food, and a weapon for Stardust's journey to Sparkle-World. "Oh, are you still training?" she asked, noting the ongoing session.

"Yes, Stardust is nearly ready for surface exploration. She just needs a bit of weapons training," Silver replied.

"Let me handle that, dear. I'll assist Stardust with her weapons training," Scarlet said, moving to stand beside her husband at the central computer.

"Show me what you're capable of, Mom," Stardust declared confidently, puffing out her chest.

To be continue

Chapter 2 - 3 Libras

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As Silver finished programming Scarlet's avatar into the Netrix, he nodded with a sense of anticipation. "This is going to get even more interesting," he remarked, his hooves tapping against the keyboard as he deleted his own avatar to free up space, making way for Scarlet's.

With control of the central computer, Scarlet wasted no time in setting up the training. "I'll generate two weapons, one for you and one for me. Your objective is to shoot me to complete the training, proving you're ready. I've provided you with four magazines of ammunition in your suit pockets," she explained, her voice focused and authoritative.

Stardust acknowledged the instructions with a nod. In front of her, her mother's avatar appeared, and between them materialized a Kimber Warrior and a TTI G17. She could feel the weight of the ammunition magically appearing in her pockets.

Inside the virtual world, the rain intensified, soaking both mares as they stood facing each other. Puddles formed under their hooves, adding to the immersive atmosphere.

As thunder roared and lit up the scene, Stardust and Scarlet swiftly moved to grab their designated weapons. Scarlet reached for the Kimber Warrior while Stardust seized the TTI G17, their movements mirroring each other's determination.

Mother vs Daughter

With a graceful leap backward, Stardust assumed a defensive stance, her front hooves outstretched as she focused her unicorn magic to fire shots at Scarlet. Four rounds discharged from her firearm, streaking through the air towards her target.

Scarlet agilely dodged the incoming shots, leaping to the side with practiced ease as the bullets whizzed past her.

Upon landing, Scarlet retaliated, firing two shots of her own with precision guided by her magical prowess.

Stardust, anticipating the attack, executed a series of acrobatic backflips, narrowly evading her mother's bullets as she gracefully flipped through the air.

As Scarlet charged towards Stardust, her movements swift and purposeful, she leaped into the air, her hind hooves spread wide as she fired three shots at her daughter.

Reacting with agility, Stardust performed a cartwheel, her body spinning gracefully as her mother's bullets narrowly missed between her hind hooves. Meanwhile, Stardust aimed her own firearm and fired a precise shot towards Scarlet's head.

Upon landing, Scarlet twisted her neck to the side with a deft motion, dodging Stardust's bullet by a hair's breadth, her bangs brushing against her cheek.

Undeterred, Stardust attempted to strike her mother with a side kick using her hind hoof. However, Scarlet intercepted the attack, seizing Stardust's hoof and effortlessly tossing her into the air.

As Stardust soared through the air, she continued to fire her weapon, aiming at Scarlet with determination.

In response, Scarlet also unleashed a barrage of bullets, the projectiles from both mares colliding mid-air with a sharp clang, distorting their shapes upon impact.

As Stardust descended from her aerial maneuver, Scarlet seized the opportunity to close the distance, launching herself towards her daughter with a powerful kick.

Anticipating the attack, Stardust executed a nimble frontflip as she landed on the ground, narrowly evading Scarlet's kick.

Quick to react, Scarlet swiftly fired two shots at Stardust, but her daughter was equally agile, performing two backflips with graceful ease, even using her mother's head to gain momentum.

With a swift turn, Scarlet aimed her weapon at Stardust's chest and fired, the bullet finding its mark.

In response, Stardust retaliated, unleashing her own shot towards Scarlet, the two bullets meeting in mid-air with a resounding clash, their shapes distorting upon impact.

As Scarlet swiftly closed in on Stardust, the latter landed gracefully on the ground, her focus on reloading the TTI G17 now sent flying by her mother's strategic kick.

Reacting with lightning speed, Stardust unleashed a powerful front hoof strike to Scarlet's chest, momentarily staggering her.

Undeterred, Scarlet quickly regained her composure and resumed firing at Stardust, her shots ringing out in rapid succession.

In a display of agility and skill, Stardust executed a flawless Breakdance Windmill, her nimble movements evading each bullet with precision.

With her ammunition depleted, Scarlet made a desperate charge towards Stardust, leaping towards her with the intent to deliver a punishing blow. However, Stardust, lying prone on the ground, countered by raising her rear hoof and propelling it backwards, connecting squarely with Scarlet's chest and sending her hurtling through the air.

As the TTI G17 fell within reach, Stardust seized the opportunity to harness her magic and swiftly recharge her weapon.

Meanwhile, Scarlet wasted no time in reloading her Kimber Warrior, her movements quick and precise.

With her weapon now fully loaded, Stardust executed a series of agile sideflips, closing the distance between her and her mother.

Scarlet, prepared to engage, found herself disarmed as Stardust deftly executed a bicycle kick, knocking the Kimber Warrior from her grasp and sending it sailing through the air.

Undeterred, Scarlet attempted to strike Stardust with a front hoof, but Stardust reacted with lightning reflexes, dropping to the ground and assuming a sideways stance. With remarkable precision, she delivered a powerful kick with both hind hooves, launching her mother into the air.

In a decisive move, Stardust took aim and fired a single shot, hitting Scarlet squarely in the head and bringing the training session to an end.

Scarlet stood in stunned silence, her astonishment palpable as she surveyed Stardust's remarkable display of skill. A sense of relief washed over her, mingled with a hint of incredulity.

Turning to her husband, Silver, Scarlet's mouth hung agape in sheer surprise.

Silver couldn't contain his amusement, his laughter echoing through the training chamber. "Hahahaha! What's the matter, my dear? You look as though you've seen a ghost."

"It's not that," Scarlet replied, still visibly taken aback. "It's just... I did everything I could to win that fight, yet she still managed to best me."

"That can only mean one thing," Silver remarked, a sense of pride evident in his voice as he placed a comforting hoof on Scarlet's shoulder. "Our daughter is undoubtedly prepared for the challenges of the wasteland."

Stardust perked up, her ears twitching as she processed her parents' words. "Did I hear that correctly? You're saying I can finally go to Sparkle-World?"

"Indeed, dear," Scarlet replied, her tone tinged with concern. "I'm not entirely keen on the idea of you venturing into such a perilous place alone, but if it's what you truly desire, we won't stand in your way."

"I'll be fine, Mum," Stardust reassured confidently, removing her sunglasses to wipe away the water droplets from her eyes. "According to the coordinates Dad gave me, Sparkle-World isn't too far. I should be able to make it there in two days, give or take."

"Let me disengage you from the Netrix, Stardust," Silver chimed in, his hooves flying across the keyboard as he initiated the process. A soft glow enveloped Stardust, lifting her gradually into the air, surrounded by swirling green numbers against a white backdrop.

As the capsule opened and released a rush of fresh air, the robotic needles retracted from Stardust's ears, the discomfort of the Netrix fading away. With a sense of relief, Stardust opened her eyes, the glasses sliding back into place over them. Stepping out of the capsule, she felt a renewed sense of strength coursing through her, taking a moment to admire her front hooves in contemplation.

Stardust flashed a reassuring smile at her parents. "Don't worry, both of you. I've been waiting for this moment for so long, and now that I've honed my combat skills, there's no turning back."

As Silver and Scarlet exchanged glances, they eventually nodded in agreement.

Scarlet let out a soft sigh before raising a hoof, pointing it directly at Stardust. "Just promise us one thing."

Stardust raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "What's that?"

Scarlet's expression turned earnest as she emphasized her point. "You must promise to respond to every message we send you. We want to know every detail of your journey. If we don't hear from you for more than three hours, I don't know what we'll do."

Silver chimed in, echoing his wife's concern. "Indeed, darling. I'm also worried about the unfamiliar ponies you might encounter out there."

Stardust raised both front hooves, extending them slightly forward in a reassuring gesture. "I understand, I understand. I'm heading straight for Sparkle-World, and once I'm done, I'll make my way back to the stable as swiftly as possible."

"It's not that we mean to be bothersome, darling. We just care deeply about your well-being, that's all," Scarlet expressed, placing a hoof gently on her chest and lowering her head in concern.

"Exactly. We couldn't bear the thought of anything untoward happening to you," Silver added, his voice tinged with worry.

Stardust released a small sigh of frustration. "I know."

Stardust, Silver, and Scarlet strolled together through the pristine hallways of Stable 50. The corridors were meticulously maintained, with gleaming floors and orderly rows of doors leading to the residents' quarters. Signs adorned the walls, bearing messages emphasizing the importance of avoiding overpopulation within the stable to prevent strain on limited resources. Some of the signs urged caution and responsibility, reminding ponies that any decision to have a foal must be approved by the Overmare.

As they walked, they encountered a mare with a pristine white coat and toga, her mane a sunny shade of yellow. She was methodically pushing a cart carrying a television, the screen displaying the imposing figure of the Overmare delivering a motivational speech. The sound of her voice echoed through the hallway, her words ringing with authority and conviction.

In response to the sight and sound of their leader, all the ponies in the vicinity, including Stardust, Silver, and Scarlet, halted their movements and bowed their heads respectfully, their eyes closed in reverence.

"Don't lose heart, my fellow ponies," the Overmare's voice echoed from the television screen, her tone firm yet compassionate. "The pain of losing somepony dear is a burden we all bear. Shedding tears is natural, but succumbing to despair is not the answer. Our stable relies on each and every one of you."

She gestured emphatically, her hoof pointing towards the screen as if addressing each resident directly from her office. "Stay strong. Resist the tide of negativity that threatens to overwhelm you. Consider the impact of your absence on your loved ones, your friends, and even on me."

"Take heed, my friends," the mare accompanying the cart interjected, her voice echoing the Overmare's sentiments.

"Remember, professional assistance is always available," the Overmare continued, her voice tapering off slightly as the mare pushed the cart away, disseminating the message to other areas of the stable. "Our support services operate around the clock, ready to provide aid and guidance whenever you need it."

Stardust was the first to open her eyes. "That means..."

Scarlet rose to her hooves. "Yes, dear, it seems we've lost somepony, but don't let it dishearten you. Such occurrences were common even before you were born."

"Indeed, every time I see those scenes, it weighs heavily on my heart, but with time, you learn to cope," Silver remarked, pushing himself off the wall and standing upright.

"But still, I can't help but feel for their loss," Stardust murmured, casting a glance in the direction where the mare with the TV had disappeared.

Scarlet placed a hoof on Stardust's shoulder as the family continued their journey through the clean, orderly hallways of Stable 50. "I understand, dear. We all feel that way, but I wouldn't want it to dampen your spirits on a day you've been eagerly anticipating. These things are unfortunately a part of life."

"It's true, Stardust. Your mother and I have encountered similar situations in the past," Silver chimed in.

"You're right, Mum, Dad. I gotta cut away, clear away, snip away this feeling of sadness taking me and serve the feeling of gratefulness to be mentally healthy," Stardust said, looking earnestly at her parents.

"That's the spirit, dear," Scarlet said, giving Stardust a warm smile. "Let me check your bag and make sure you have everything you need." With a gentle flick of her magic, Scarlet opened Stardust's bag and began inspecting its contents. "You have cookies filled with jams that you like so much. Your father was also able to get you the P90 with a Suppressor and a Combat Master Alpha, along with ammunition and a hundred bottle caps. Try not to spend them all in one place," Scarlet chuckled. "You also have three bottles of purified water. Try to save as much as you can."

Stardust confirmed, after checking her PipBuck, that everything mentioned was indeed packed.

As they reached the exit of Stable 50, Silver approached one of the security stallions equipped with a FAMAS who patrolled the area. "My daughter will surface for a couple of days," he informed the guard.

"Remember that your daughter, when she returns, will undergo a health exam before entering. If she does not pass it, she will not be able to re-enter the Stable ever again. It is important that all the ponies in the stable are completely healthy," the security stallion warned.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Silver fumbled through his pockets and handed over one hundred bottle caps to the security guard, who then proceeded to open the stable door. Despite a hint of concern upon hearing the guard's words, Silver nodded. "I understand. We are willing to take that risk."

The security stallion approached the lever that opened the Stable door, the sound of the mechanisms reverberating throughout the area. There was a palpable silence as Stardust, Silver, and Scarlet stood watching, anticipation coursing through them as the door to an unknown world slowly creaked open before their daughter.

"My heart beats at the speed of a bullet, the sound of the door echoing like the solitary wail of a siren," Stardust whispered to herself, exhaling softly. "Whatever awaits me out there, may it have compassion towards me."

As the door to the Stable swung open, a brilliant burst of sunlight flooded in, illuminating Stardust's face. She raised a hoof to her forehead, experiencing the warmth of natural sunlight for the first time.

"This is the moment, dear. We're going to miss you terribly," Scarlet said, her eyes glistening with emotion.

Silver wrapped his hooves around Scarlet, gently stroking her mane as he addressed their daughter. "Indeed. The wasteland can be an unpredictable place. Pay attention to your surroundings, and don't trust anyone. Stay focused on your path, and don't stray from it."

Stardust's heart swelled with emotion as she closed the distance between herself and her parents, wrapping them in a tight embrace. The warmth of their bodies pressed against hers, offering solace in the face of uncertainty. She nuzzled her muzzle against Scarlet's neck, feeling the softness of her mane beneath her touch, while Silver's strong embrace enveloped them both.

In that moment, amidst the bittersweet farewell, there was a profound sense of love and connection. Stardust could feel the bond between them, unspoken yet palpable, as if their hearts were speaking the words their mouths could not. They held onto each other tightly, unwilling to let go, even as the reality of their impending separation loomed over them.

But despite the sadness that threatened to engulf them, there was a glimmer of hope in Stardust's heart. This was not a goodbye, she reminded herself. It was a see you soon. And with that thought in mind, she held onto her parents a little tighter, etching the memory of their embrace into her heart, knowing that no matter where her journey took her, their love would always be her guiding light.

Stardust stepped forward, her pace measured as she approached the threshold of Stable 50. With each step, the anticipation grew, her heart beating in rhythm with the sound of her hooves against the floor.

As she emerged into the sunlight, a wave of warmth washed over her, the brilliance of the outside world dazzling her senses. She paused, taking in the sight before her, the vast expanse of the wasteland stretching out as far as the eye could see.

Turning back, she caught one last glimpse of her parents, their forms blurred by tears as they waved their hooves in a silent farewell. Stardust's own hooves lifted in response, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips as she returned their gesture.

With a final glance, she watched as the door to Stable 50 closed behind her, sealing off the world she had known her entire life. But as she stepped forward into the unknown, a sense of excitement stirred within her, fueled by the promise of adventure that lay ahead.

"It's a shame I couldn't say goodbye to Violet; she must be taking her goat exam right now. I'll send her a message later," Stardust mused silently, her thoughts drifting to her friend. As she stretched her hind and front hooves, preparing for the long walk ahead, she felt a pang of regret at not being able to bid farewell properly.

"Here I go..." Stardust muttered to herself as she took her first tentative steps into the wasteland. Ahead of her loomed the ruins of the Baltimare Art Museum, its once-grand structure now reduced to rubble. Broken windows emitted eerie creaking sounds, hinting at unseen movement within. Stardust felt a chill run down her spine at the ominous atmosphere, prompting her to quicken her pace and veer away from the museum's vicinity.

As she pressed on, the only sounds that accompanied her were the hushed whispers of the wind and the soft crunch of gravel beneath her hooves. Despite the vastness of the landscape surrounding her, Stardust couldn't shake the feeling of isolation that enveloped her.

"I'll take out my gun just in case, who knows what I'll find," Stardust thought to herself as she reached into her bag with her unicorn magic and retrieved her P90 with suppressor, holding it aloft to her right side. The weapon offered a semblance of security, yet the pervasive feeling of isolation still lingered.

Navigating through the desolate park, Stardust couldn't help but notice the eerie atmosphere that pervaded the area. The playground equipment stood abandoned, casting long, ghostly shadows across the cracked pavement. Surrounding trees, their branches twisted and bare, seemed to whisper secrets of the past as the wind rustled through their skeletal forms. Dilapidated buildings dotted the landscape, their crumbling facades bearing witness to the ravages of time and neglect, while signs of looting hinted at the desperation that once gripped the area.

As Stardust wandered through the park, she stumbled upon the statues of the Pillars of Equestria. Flash Magnus appeared incomplete without his wings, Mistmane lacked a head, and Rockhoof lay prone on the ground. Although Baltimare hadn't suffered heavy bombing during the war, the passage of two hundred and twenty years had taken its toll on the city. The conspicuous absence of inhabitants only confirmed the desolate state of the area.

Consulting her PipBuck to ensure she was on the right path, Stardust manipulated the device with her left front hoof. "I'm heading in the right direction. Straight ahead to Marewood."

To alleviate the eerie silence and solitude of her journey, Stardust decided to activate the radio on her PipBuck. Tuning in to 'We Know Everything', she hoped the shows would provide some solace and distraction from the desolation surrounding her.

Announcer: "From deep in the heart of Equestria, today on 'We Know Everything', we present a new episode of 'Common Sense Agenda' with our host, Spring Thunder!"

**Intro Music**

**Hoof Clapping**

Spring Thunder: "Thank you, thank you, fillies and gentlecolts! Let's skip the formalities because today's case will only prove one thing: I, Spring Thunder, am never wrong. Today, we're going to laugh, cry, and feel deep anger as we expose how the open-minded ponies control the television networks to rot the brains of our foals!"

**Hoof Clapping with more intensity and whistles**

"Hell yeah! A new episode of 'Common Sense Agenda' I wonder which famous pony they'll invite this time. Sometimes they share really intriguing stories. I hope I don't become famous one day, haha," Stardust mused to herself as she listened to the radio. Now, the sound of her hooves against the ground was overshadowed by the radio's broadcast. Nevertheless, Stardust remained vigilant, paying close attention to her surroundings.

Spring Thunder: "In this show, we'll demonstrate why we should blame and hate these open-minded ponies for all the problems in the wasteland. Today, we'll laugh at them and call them repressed. Because we have our star, Morning Glory, from the action sitcom 'Project Horizons', here to shed light on the pain of working with open-minded ponies."

"I've never heard of Morning Glory," Stardust remarked, gazing at the sky and shading her eyes with a hoof. In some of the buildings, she could see Sparkle-Cola billboards featuring Twilight's image. Seeing that image made Stardust feel oddly thirsty.

**Hoof Clapping and whistles**

Morning Glory: "Hey everypony! Pleasure to be here."

Spring Thunder: "We say the same about you, Morning Glory. Tell us about your experience. How did working with open-minded ponies make your dignity and self-esteem go down the toxic drain?"

Morning Glory: "I don't know where to start, but I'll begin with the contract. It had a list of commandments that we were supposed to follow. One of them was that every day, Go Fish or Blackjack, whatever the hell you want to call her, we had to kiss her hooves at the beginning of the performance."

**Shocked Crowd Sound**

"What the fuck?" Stardust exclaimed in surprise within her mind as she listened to the radio. She stopped for a moment to drink some water. She had been walking for half an hour and was beginning to sweat.

After consuming a considerable amount of water, she aimed to conserve as much as possible due to the long journey ahead. She was uncertain whether it would be easy to find pure water to refill her bottles.

Spring Thunder: "See? I told you! They treat their employees like garbage if you don't think the same as them!"

Morning Glory: "The second commandment was that we could not contradict Blackjack. Everything she says is deemed true, and we were not allowed to refuse anything she asked during our performance."

Spring Thunder: "So, what she said about being a descendant of Twilight was true?"

Morning Glory: "No, of course not. She's a pathological liar."

Spring Thunder: "And what can you tell me about the episodes where you died and came back to life? It must have been frustrating for you."

Morning Glory: "I felt relieved, to be honest. At least I thought I wouldn't have to work for them anymore, and they would pay me the bottle caps I desired. That was the only thing that interested me. But then they called me and said, 'There's been a change of plans. Your character is still alive, so hurry up and bring your ass here we need to record another threesome.' I almost lost my shit there, that's why today's I do abstinence.

Spring Thunder: "This only confirms my theory that 'Project Horizons' is pure homosexual propaganda to force our foals to follow their ideas!"

Morning Glory: "I was only doing it for the bottle caps; I needed to feed my forty kitties. I'm single, you know? I am emotionally dependent on cats **Sigh** Of course, I had to sacrifice my dignity, but you don't know the relief I felt when my character finally died and I got my pay. Our pay was fifty percent less compared to Go Fish, which bothered me. But knowing how they are in that studio, any word other than Go Fish is worthless."

Spring Thunder: "If you weren't Blackjack, how were you treated in that studio?"

Morning Glory: "Let me first describe what the studio was like. Upon entering, there was an altar of Go Fish, made of gold, where you had to kneel and recite all the commandments. The walls were decorated in black and red, the water bottles had stickers of her face, and there were multiple gold statues in the hallways that sometimes made it difficult to walk. That's where the resources were spent."

"That... is really creepy. I wouldn't like to be treated like that. I prefer to be treated like just another pony, not like... whatever Blackjack has done," Stardust remarked as she stowed the water bottle away in her bag and continued on her way, exiting the park and now wandering through Mareland Ave.

The wind tousled her mane, and torn newspapers that could not even be read fluttered around the empty streets. It seemed strange to Stardust that she had not encountered any other form of life besides herself, given the stories of the many dangers that one could encounter in the wasteland. However, that was a relief for her.

Spring Thunder: "There you have it, everypony. This is what open-minded millionaire ponies spend their bottle caps on—glorifying a drunk with low self-esteem. If they continue taking control of the television networks, I can't see Equestria in fifteen years."

**Hoof Clapping sound**

Morning Glory: "We were always Go Fish's shadow on the covers. We always had to be behind her, in the background, where our faces were barely recognizable. It was a fundamental rule."

Spring Thunder: "I imagine that after freeing yourself from that liberal torture, you finally felt your first real orgasm."

Morning Glory: "Not at all. When my contract with them was over, the ponies on the street told me things like 'Sleep with me' and 'A female who doesn't know how to cook? How the hell does that work?' They even nicknamed me 'Glory Hole.' My number was leaked, and I receive calls to participate in gangbangs, to be part of the red light district community, without any kind of benefits in exchange. Because they think I am the same as the show. I think that one day I will have my own show here at 'We Know Everything.' I don't think I can endure another five years sacrificing my dignity."

Spring Thunder: "And that's it, everypony. It's the life of an actress in the wasteland. Because the entertainment industries, led by liberals, melt our brains and destroy the lives of their employees with treatments much worse than us enslaving Zebras. At least we give them a cup of coffee. You will be more than welcome here, Glory. This was all for Common Sense Agenda. We'll see you in the next episode."

**Hoof Clapping and outro music**

"I feel very sorry for Glory. I hope to one day be able to see her in person," Stardust said as she turned off her radio.

As she looked ahead, she spotted a strange figure that she couldn't recognize. It didn't resemble a pony; rather, it seemed like some unknown creature, its form difficult for her to describe.

"What's that?!" Stardust exclaimed, pointing the P90 at it as she trembled.

Chapter 3 - Powerless, Fearfulness & Weakness

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What was initially mistaken for an animal revealed itself as a grotesque Centaur, a mutated amalgamation of pony and horror. Its six hooves scraped against the ground with an unsettling rhythm, its three elongated tongues lashing out like sinister whips. Rotten flesh hung from its bones, devoid of ears, its veins pulsating with a sickly hue that reeked of decay.

Stardust's eyes widened in terror as she trembled, her voice quivering with fear. "WHA- WHAT IN THE HELL IS THAT THING?!" she exclaimed, her voice strained.

As the Centaur advanced towards her, Stardust's magical grip tightened around the trigger of her P90. Fear consumed her, her heart pounding in her chest like a drumbeat of panic. Her shots rang out, but they missed their mark, striking a nearby vehicle, shattering a window of a hardware store, and embedding into the pavement, the Centaur remaining unscathed.

Noticing Stardust's hesitation to fire at the Centaur, she bolted sideways towards the roof of a nearby vehicle, hoping for safety amidst the chaos.

The vehicle, a decrepit and rusted relic with deflated tires, offered minimal cover, its lowered height failing to provide significant protection.

Despite her trembling, Stardust continued to unleash a barrage of shots at the Centaur, her P90 quivering in her magical grasp, the bullets ricocheting off the walls of an adjacent apartment complex. "Fuck!" she muttered in desperation as her aim faltered.

The Centaur closed in on the vehicle, its monstrous form undeterred by Stardust's erratic gunfire. Realizing that her elevated position offered little defense against the creature's menacing tongues, Stardust's fear escalated; the last thing she wanted was to come into contact with the mutated horror.

Stardust leaped from the vehicle and sprinted towards the front of Mareland Ave, determined to evade the Centaur at all costs. She refused to backtrack towards the park, fearing it would only prolong her encounter with the monstrous creature. Instead, she forged ahead, hoping to outpace her pursuer.

"SOMEPONY HELP ME!" Stardust's desperate cry echoed through the desolate streets as she dashed at full tilt, the Centaur's ghastly presence looming ever closer, its grotesque tongues lashing out menacingly.

With a fleeting glance over her shoulder, Stardust attempted to fend off the relentless pursuit, her trembling aim landing a single shot on the Centaur's chest before her P90 clicked empty. "Sod off!" she cursed, futilely squeezing the trigger as panic threatened to overwhelm her.

Turning abruptly, Stardust fled, her hooves pounding against the pavement in a frantic bid for escape.

Stardust glanced back with a mixture of frustration and fear. "Eat this, you fucking knobhead!" she shouted, hurling the empty magazine at the Centaur with all the force she could muster.

The Centaur merely shook its head, seemingly unfazed by the makeshift projectile, and continued its relentless pursuit of Stardust. Despite its lumbering gait, the creature showed no signs of slowing down, ensuring that Stardust couldn't shake it off.

Frustration, fear, and exhaustion gripped Stardust as she desperately sought to rid herself of the persistent threat. The thought of the Centaur dogging her every step throughout her journey filled her with dread, driving her to push herself even harder to escape its clutches.

Stardust had sprinted to the intersection of Mareland Avenue and 27th Street, where a cluster of apartments loomed over her. With no time to consult her PipBuck, she pressed forward in a frantic dash, her breath coming in rapid gasps."When am I going to lose this thing?" she muttered to herself, her heart pounding in her chest.

As she entered an alley, her eyes fell upon a heap of rubble from collapsed buildings blocking her path. Stardust quickly formulated a plan: she would scale the rubble, hoping to create enough distance between herself and the Centaur to escape its pursuit. Despite the creeping exhaustion, she refused to let the mutation draw any closer.

With trembling limbs, Stardust began to ascend the rubble, each movement hampered by her fatigue. But as she climbed, she could sense the Centaur closing in behind her. Panic surged through her as she quickened her pace, her hooves slipping on the uneven surface.

Then, disaster struck. Stardust lost her footing, stumbling and nearly losing her grip on the rubble. She whirled around, eyes wide with terror, her heart hammering in her chest. Frantically, she reached into her bag, fumbling for ammunition for her P90, but before she could react, a deafening gunshot echoed through the alley.

The shot rang out, shattering the stillness, and Stardust watched in stunned disbelief as the Centaur collapsed, its head obliterated by the force of the bullet. Blood gushed from the gaping wound, staining the ground crimson as Stardust recoiled in horror, her stomach churning.

"What was that? It sounded like a gunshot," Stardust muttered, her voice trembling as she staggered away from the grisly scene. She couldn't tear her gaze away from the decapitated creature, its lifeless body sprawled grotesquely on the ground. Fighting back waves of nausea, Stardust pressed two hooves to her mouth, desperate to hold back the bile rising in her throat.

Stardust's attention was drawn to a whistle emanating from the roof of a nearby garage. With a sense of relief at the realization that she wasn't alone, she fought back the urge to vomit, swallowing hard as she approached the source of the sound.

"Hey, o-over here," called out a pony lying prone on the roof, her voice strained and weary. Her AA-12 lay discarded beside her, evidence of the effort she had exerted to save Stardust's life.

As Stardust drew nearer, she observed the pony's ragged appearance and weary demeanor. Despite her initial wariness, she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards the stranger who had intervened on her behalf.

Before Stardust could utter a word, the pony spoke up, her voice rough with fatigue. "Listen, I don't know you... and you don't know me, but you owe me a favor. I saved your life," she wheezed, interrupted by a fit of coughing. "I need you to remove the bullets lodged inside me. I don't think I'll make it through the night," she continued, her gaze fixed on the sky, the sunlight seeming to trouble her.

"If you don't extract them, I'm as good as dead," she pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.

Stardust recoiled in shock and concern, her heart pounding with anxiety at the pony's urgent plea. "I- I..." she stammered, her front hooves trembling with nervousness. "But I don't know how to do that. I don't know anything about medical things," she admitted, her voice quivering with uncertainty.

"Use your magic, do a healing spell or something," the pony insisted, frustration evident in her tone.

"I don't know how to do it. I'm not very skilled with magic," Stardust confessed, her gaze falling to the ground in shame.

"YOU MUST BE- Okay, Okay, go to the hospital and get some tweezers, painkillers, bandages..." the pony instructed, her voice weakening with each word as her energy dwindled.

Stardust felt a surge of panic rising within her, her eyes welling up with tears at the thought of facing the horrors of the hospital. "And in that hospital, there will be- there must be mutations there," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm sure there are. They're all over the- the wasteland," the pony acknowledged, her own resolve faltering.

"Those things scare me. I don't know if I can do it..." Stardust admitted, her voice quavering with fear as she struggled to hold back her tears.

In a final desperate plea, the pony slammed her hoof against the ground, her voice echoing with urgency. "STOP BEING A SCAREDY CAT! I'M DYING, YOU HEAR? I'M DYING!"

"No- Don't yell at me!" Stardust pleaded, her voice trembling with tears as she covered her eyes with both front hooves.

The pony lay on the ground to her right, face down, Stardust voice and demeanor suggesting a youthfulness that surprised the pony. She couldn't believe she had encountered somepony so fragile in the harsh wasteland. Wanting to confirm her suspicions, the pony carefully observed Stardust's appearance.

She appeared to be a young pony, clad in a jumpsuit bearing the number fifty. A spiked bracelet adorned her neck, hinting at a rebellious streak that mirrored her own style. Despite her condition, she didn't seem much older than twenty.

"Stop crying! Listen, I don't know what a pony like you is doing alone here, but I really need your help. You can either stand here crying and leave me to die, or go get what I asked for," the pony urged, her voice strained with effort. "I'd go myself, but as you see, I can barely get up," she added, punctuating her words with labored breaths.

Stardust felt a wave of overwhelm wash over her. She didn't want to abandon the pony to her fate, but the prospect of venturing to the hospital alone filled her with dread and uncertainty.

"I don't know what to do..." Stardust admitted, wiping away her tears with a hoof.

"The clock is ticking. You better make a decision quickly, before I die!" the pony snapped, her narrowed eyes reflecting her frustration.

Anguish threatened to overwhelm Stardust as tremors shook her frame, her first encounter with another pony already plunging her into intense negative emotions amidst the harsh realities of the wasteland.

"I don't know how to play my part, I-I mean, I can go to the hospital but... what would happen if the mutations kill me?" Stardust's voice quivered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Then it means that you are not ready for what the wasteland has to offer and that you should never have left the stable where you came from," the pony's harsh retort struck a blow to Stardust's self-esteem, her words like a weight upon her conscience.

Stardust lowered her gaze to the ground, her tears staining the hot pavement like raindrops in the dust.

"Take me to a house or something, it's not safe here, they can attack us at any moment," the pony urged, her tone betraying a sense of urgency.

With limited options, Stardust summoned her unicorn magic to levitate the pony alongside her, guiding them across the street to a cluster of buildings where they might find refuge.

The pony's AA-12 lay abandoned on the rooftop, its ammunition depleted and its usefulness spent.

Once they reached the other side, Stardust could better discern the pony's appearance. Clad in a peculiar armor adorned with a scorpion stinger in her tail, she exuded an air of seasoned experience in the wasteland.

Struggling to open a nearby door, Stardust initially attempted with a single front hoof, then with both, but to no avail.

"Shoot the doorknob!" the pony's frustrated directive cut through the air, each word a harsh blow to Stardust's self-esteem, leaving her feeling as though a loved one were disappointed in her.

Desperately, Stardust retrieved her Combat Master Alpha and aimed at the doorknob, pulling the trigger and shattering it, finally granting them entry.

The house, as anticipated, bore the scars of neglect and decay. Furniture lay strewn about, coated in grime, and the pervasive odor hinted at years of abandonment. Silence hung heavy, broken only by the occasional creak of dilapidated floorboards underhoof.

"This place is horrid," Stardust remarked silently to herself, her senses still accustomed to the cleanliness and order of Stable 50.

Windows, once meant to welcome sunlight, were now boarded up, casting the interior into a dim twilight. Rays of light filtered through the gaps in the makeshift barricades, illuminating patches of the room in uneven patterns. The once-white walls had surrendered to a blanket of grime, their colour dulled to a monotonous brown that seemed to seep into every corner.

Throughout the house, evidence of neglect abounded. Light fixtures lay shattered, their broken remnants scattered across the floor like discarded puzzle pieces. Stardust navigated the debris with caution, mindful of the shards of glass that littered the ground.

"Take me to the second floor and find a bed, I don't want to be in the living room," the pony commanded, her voice cutting through the stillness.

Stardust complied, ascending the creaking staircase to find a room with a rusty bed. Despite its decrepit state, it offered a semblance of respite, its worn frame a silent testament to past occupants.

Gently, Stardust placed the pony onto the bed, her movements deliberate and careful.

"I still can't believe that my life is in the hooves of a fearful girl. I must find a way to convince her to go to the hospital," the pony mused silently.

"Listen, if you go to the hospital and save me, I promise I will teach you how to survive in the wasteland," she implored, turning her gaze towards Stardust, who knelt beside her, listening intently.

"You wouldn't last even a few hours without being eaten, raped, or being enslaved. If you continue with that fear, you need my help, and I need yours," the pony asserted, her tone a blend of urgency and conviction.

"But the mutations, I don't know if-" Stardust began, her voice wavering with uncertainty, but the pony cut her off mid-sentence.

"Still harping on about that? They're everywhere, for Celestia's sake! Let that sink in. Now, if you can muster even a shred of courage to survive on your own, then maybe—" The pony's tirade was abruptly halted as Stardust interjected.

"I don't know... I mean, this is nothing like the training I had. Seeing those creatures up close... it terrifies me," Stardust admitted, her fear palpable in her voice.

"FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT'S HOLY, LET ME FINISH!" the pony exploded, her frustration evident. But her outburst was short-lived as a fit of coughing seized her, forcing her to clamp a hoof over her mouth.

Stardust hung her head, tears welling up once more as she brought her front hooves to her face. "Don't yell at me... you're not my mom," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pony's coughs.

"NO, BUT I SAVED YOUR LIFE!" the pony shot back, her tone laced with frustration and anger. "Think about it. Are you really going to let me die? Is that what you want? Can you live with the guilt of knowing you could have saved a pony's life, but chose not to?"

"I don't like those kinds of questions... Buaahhh," Stardust choked out between sobs, her tears flowing freely now. She was unaccustomed to being yelled at, and the pony's harsh words pierced her sensitive heart like daggers. All she had wanted was a peaceful journey through the wasteland to her destination, but this whole situation had overwhelmed her beyond measure.

Meanwhile, the pony couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort at Stardust's intense crying. Despite her frustration, she couldn't shake the feeling of guilt for causing the young mare so much distress. "It's like going around in circles. I can't help but feel bad, but if I don't convince her quickly, I'm going to die!" She lamented inwardly, her own inner turmoil mirroring Stardust's outward display of sadness.

"Listen, listen, let's start from the beginning, shall we? What's your name?" The pony tried to reach out to Stardust with her left hoof, hoping to calm her down.

But Stardust continued crying uncontrollably, her tears falling like a relentless waterfall. "Why do you force me to make difficult decisions? I don't want anypony to die! Buahhhhhh!"

Inside her mind, the pony grappled with the situation, feeling a mix of frustration and sympathy. "I've never dealt with somepony like that before. Such a crybaby. I'll have to approach this more calmly, but she's making it difficult for me."

Stardust's tears flowed freely, each droplet carrying with it a weight of fear and anguish that seemed to crush her fragile heart. Her eyes, red and swollen from the cascade of emotions, shimmered with unshed tears, reflecting the dim light filtering through the dusty windows of the dilapidated room. Her chest heaved with sobs, each one echoing the turmoil raging within her soul.

With each breath, Stardust's body trembled, aching with the weight of her indecision and fear. Her hooves quivered, unable to find purchase on the worn floor beneath her. A haunting melody of despair and uncertainty that seemed to reverberate off the crumbling walls.

"I want to save you," Stardust managed to choke out between sobs, her voice raw with emotion, "but I'm afraid... afraid of the mutations." Each word was punctuated by a shuddering breath, a testament to the overwhelming dread that gripped her heart.

In that moment, Stardust felt utterly powerless, consumed by a sense of helplessness that threatened to engulf her. Despite her desire to be brave, to face the dangers of the wasteland head-on, the fear of the unknown loomed large, casting a shadow over her every thought and action. And as she wept, her tears mingling with the dust of the desolate room, she couldn't help but wonder if she would ever find the courage to overcome her deepest fears.

As the pony extended a hoof in a gesture of understanding, Stardust felt a flicker of relief amidst her tears. She nodded slowly, her sobs beginning to subside as she listened to the pony's gentle reassurance.

"I know you're scared," The pony continued, her voice softening with empathy, "but you're not going to get anywhere if you continue like this, do you understand?"

Stardust, her eyes still glistening with unshed tears, looked up at the pony through blurry vision. The once-white quilt beneath the pony body now bore streaks of crimson, a stark reminder of the severity of her injuries.

"Let's introduce ourselves, shall we?" The pony suggested, offering a small smile that seemed to ease the tension in the room. "My name is Lollipop Hearts What's yours?"

Stardust sniffled, wiping her nose with a hoof before responding, "My name is Stardust Glitter."

With Lollipop's patient demeanor, Stardust felt a glimmer of hope begin to stir within her. "Okay, Stardust, calm down, will you?" Lollipop said, her tone gentle and soothing. "I'm going to try not to get mad at you, okay?"

Stardust nodded, her tears still lingering on her cheeks. "Okay... please don't yell at me anymore," she pleaded softly, her voice quivering with vulnerability.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you," Lollipop apologized sincerely, her expression reflecting genuine remorse. "But, as you already know, I'm dying. I'm suffering while I'm talking to you. It's normal for me to react like that, do you understand?"

Stardust nodded again, her heart heavy with the weight of Lollipop's suffering. "Yes, I understand," she replied, her voice filled with compassion.

"Good, now-" but before Lollipop could finish her instructions, her words trailing off as she lost consciousness, her body succumbing to the toll of her injuries. Stardust's eyes widened in alarm, her heart pounding with fear as she realized the gravity of the situation.

Stardust's voice quivered with desperation as she frantically shook Lollipop's limp body, her hooves trembling with fear and uncertainty.

"What's wrong, Lollipop?" she pleaded, her voice tinged with panic as she searched desperately for any sign of life.

But Lollipop remained unresponsive, her body growing heavier in Stardust's grasp with each passing moment. Stardust's heart pounded erratically in her chest, her mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions.

As she continued to shake Lollipop's body, her tears flowed freely once more, cascading down her cheeks in a torrent of anguish and despair. The weight of the situation bore down on her, suffocating her with a sense of helplessness and guilt.

"Answer me, please, Lollipop!" she cried out, her voice cracking with emotion as she pleaded for a response that never came.

And in that moment of overwhelming despair, Stardust's anguish reached its peak, her cries echoing through the empty room as she blamed herself for the dire turn of events.

"EVERYTHING IS MY FAULT!" she sobbed, her words choked with sorrow and regret as she grappled with the crushing weight of her emotions.

Stardust's cries echoed through the room, each sob wracking her body with aching intensity as she curled into a tight ball on the floor. Her chest heaved with the force of her anguish, tears streaming down her cheeks in an endless torrent.

"WHY- WHY AM I SUCH A SCAREDY CAT?" she lamented, her voice choked with sorrow as she berated herself for her perceived weakness. Her thoughts spiraled in a whirlwind of self-doubt and recrimination, her mind consumed by the overwhelming guilt of Lollipop's condition.

With each passing moment, Stardust's cries grew louder, her body racked with uncontrollable tremors as she grappled with the weight of her emotions. She felt as though her heart were being torn apart, the pain of her self-condemnation searing through her like a blade.

But amidst the turmoil of her despair, Stardust's gaze remained fixed on Lollipop's still form, her heart heavy with the knowledge that her own fear had led to this moment. She longed to reach out, to somehow undo the harm she had caused, but the weight of her guilt held her paralyzed, trapping her in a prison of her own making.

And so, in the midst of her intense crying and sadness, Stardust found herself trapped in a cycle of self-recrimination, her tears a bitter reminder of the consequences of her fear.

With trembling hooves and tear-streaked cheeks, Stardust mustered the courage to rise from the floor, her body still wracked with sobs as she struggled to contain her overwhelming emotions. Each step felt like a monumental effort, her limbs heavy with the weight of her fear and uncertainty.

"I won't let you die, Lollipop," she vowed, her voice quavering with determination even as tears continued to cascade down her face. Though her heart still trembled with apprehension, Stardust refused to let her fear dictate her actions any longer.

With a shaky breath, Stardust turned her gaze to her Pipbuck, her vision blurred by the veil of tears that clouded her eyes. The words on the screen swam before her, but she forced herself to focus, marking the route to the nearest hospital with a trembling hoof.

"Baltimare Medical Center..." she murmured, her voice tinged with a hint of distress as she took in the distance she would need to cover. Though the prospect of the journey ahead filled her with dread, Stardust knew that she had no choice but to press on, to overcome her fears in order to save Lollipop's life.

With her heart pounding in her chest, Stardust recharged her P90 with trembling hooves, her gaze fixed on the path that lay before her. Though fear still gripped her tightly, she knew that she could not let it hold her back any longer. Slowly, tentatively, she rose to her hooves, her resolve hardening with each step she took.

Before leaving the room, Stardust cast one last glance at Lollipop's unconscious form, her heart heavy with worry. "I'll be back, Lollipop. Hang on, don't go towards the light," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

As Stardust stepped out and closed the door behind her, she leaned against it, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she fought to steady her trembling hooves. With a deep breath, she pushed herself away from the door and stood on all fours once more.

"I should've left a note for Lollipop, let her know that I'm going to the hospital and that I won't abandon her," Stardust mused, her voice tinged with regret as she made her way towards the stairs. With each step, she couldn't help but steal glances back at the closed door, her heart aching with concern for the pony she had promised to save.

As Stardust exited the house, she closed the door with care, ensuring it was securely locked. With her magic, she gathered debris from the nearby alley and placed it in front of the door, creating a makeshift barrier to deter any unwanted visitors, be they mutation or pony.

"Now, I'll traverse the rooftops. I must avoid encounters with creatures and conserve ammunition," Stardust murmured to herself, her mind focused on the task ahead. With a determined expression, she took a few steps backward, preparing for an acrobatic leap to reach the roof of the house. As she crouched down, her muscles tensed, ready to propel her into action and begin her perilous journey towards the hospital.

To be continue

Chapter 4 - Hospital of Confusion

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Stardust, propelled by determination, sprinted on two hooves towards the front of the house. Executing multiple sideflips to gather momentum, she aimed for the window closest to the roof. With precise movements, she extended one front hoof to gain speed and reached out with the other to grasp the wood covering the window.

Her parkour skills were put to the test as she leaped and seized the edge of the roof with all her strength. A sense of relief washed over her as she settled onto the rooftop, feeling safer above the treacherous streets below.

Glancing to her right, Stardust observed the trail of blood left by Lollipop. "Stay strong, Lollipop. I can't navigate the wasteland without your guidance," she silently pleaded, her heart heavy with concern, before she resumed her swift pace along the rooftops.

Stardust approached an intersection, where she spotted a traffic light that could serve as a bar to traverse to the other side without touching the ground.

Positioning herself carefully, Stardust walked backward, building up momentum before breaking into a full sprint. With a powerful leap, she reached out and grabbed hold of the traffic light.

Balancing precariously, Stardust began to maneuver herself across to the opposite side. Below her, a centaur emerged from an alley, accompanied by a feral ghoul emerging from a nearby store. Despite their attempts to reach her, Stardust remained out of their grasp, suspended above the danger.

A surge of fear threatened to overwhelm her, but Stardust forced herself to focus. "Don't look down, Stardust," she muttered, her voice determined as she continued her cautious progress across the makeshift bridge.

As Stardust neared the other side of the traffic light, she felt the searing heat emanating from the metal beneath her hooves intensify. The midday sunlight had absorbed and retained the heat, turning the surface into a scorching furnace.

With each passing moment, the heat seemed to seep deeper into her hooves, causing them to burn with increasing intensity. Stardust gritted her teeth, determined to withstand the discomfort as she pushed through the pain.

Despite her efforts, the sensation was overwhelming, and Stardust couldn't help but let out a cry of distress. "My hooves are burning!" she exclaimed, her voice strained with agony as she struggled to endure the searing heat.

Every fiber of her being urged her to retreat, to escape the tormenting sensation. But Stardust knew she couldn't afford to falter now, not when she was so close to reaching safety. With sheer determination, she pressed on, pushing through the pain with unwavering resolve.

As Stardust reached the edge of the traffic light, she summoned all her strength and leaped across to the adjacent roof. Despite the urgency, she couldn't help but wince as her hooves made contact with the scorching surface, the intense heat searing through her.

With a sense of urgency, Stardust scrambled to climb onto the roof, her heart racing with exertion and discomfort. Beads of sweat formed on her brow as she pushed herself to move quickly, the heat from the roof making each movement feel like a struggle.

As she finally reached the safety of the rooftop, Stardust collapsed onto the surface, her hooves burning from the residual heat. She winced as she shifted her weight, trying to find a position that offered some relief from the discomfort.

"I should have brought something to cover my hooves!" Stardust lamented inwardly, the pain in her hooves a constant reminder of her oversight. She glanced down at the futile attempts of the Feral Ghoul and centaur below, finding some solace in the fact that she was out of their reach for now.

Despite the discomfort, Stardust knew she couldn't afford to linger. With a deep breath, she pushed herself to her hooves and prepared to continue her journey across the rooftops, the heat of the sun beating down on her back as she moved forward.

As Stardust pressed forward, she encountered a terrifying sight: carnivorous parasprites feasting on the corpse of a deceased ghoul. These mutated creatures, with their rotten skin, sharp bloody teeth, and piercing orange eyes, turned their attention to Stardust as soon as they detected her presence. Despite being on the rooftop, Stardust knew she was not safe from these flying predators.

Fear gripped Stardust as she trembled, her heart racing with terror. "No..." she muttered to herself, the dread of facing these creatures overwhelming her.

Two parasprites swiftly closed in on Stardust, their wings buzzing ominously as they swooped towards her.

In a desperate attempt to defend herself, Stardust activated the S.A.T.S. mode of her Pipbuck and aimed for the creatures' heads with her FN P90. However, despite her efforts, all twelve shots missed their mark.

"My aim is so grim..." Stardust berated herself, her fear clouding her focus and preventing her from taking accurate shots.

With her action points depleted, Stardust shifted her focus, relying on the scope of her FN P90 to target the parasprites instead of using telekinesis to aim. As the mutated creatures closed in, Stardust seized the opportunity to take a shot, successfully hitting one of the parasprites and causing it to recoil.

However, the other parasprite continued its relentless advance towards Stardust. With lightning-fast reflexes, Stardust rolled across the rooftop, narrowly evading the creature's snapping jaws. Though the parasprite managed to bite off a chunk of Stardust's mane, the attack thankfully caused no serious harm.

Breathing heavily, Stardust scrambled to her hooves, her heart pounding with adrenaline-fueled fear. "That was close..." she muttered to herself as she resumed her desperate attempt to keep her distance from the relentless parasprites.

This moment proved to be overwhelming and uncomfortable for Stardust, who harbored a deep-seated aversion to bugs. Despite her distaste, she knew she had to eliminate the parasprites to ensure they wouldn't pursue her all the way to the hospital.

Maintaining her distance, Stardust aimed her FN P90 at the uninjured parasprite and fired multiple shots. With a mix of disgust and determination, she watched as the parasprite's blood splattered across the gray ceiling, painting it with a sickly green hue before it finally succumbed to her onslaught.

Pressing forward, Stardust leaped across to the next rooftop, her movements fluid and evasive as she tried to avoid the scorching heat radiating from the ground below.

"I mustn't falter now. I can't afford to let them get too close," Stardust muttered to herself, her resolve unwavering as she maintained a steady rhythm of movement.

The remaining parasprite closed in on Stardust with alarming speed, prompting her to unleash a barrage of shots in its direction. Though she missed several times, she eventually scored a direct hit, striking the parasprite in the eye and causing a torrent of blood to gush forth.

Disgusted, Stardust turned away and resumed her sprint towards the hospital, the unsettling screams of the dying parasprite echoing through the desolate streets of Baltimare. As she ran, she instinctively covered her ears with her front hooves, desperate to block out the haunting sounds that filled the air.

Stardust finally reached the hospital and wasted no time in entering. The scorching heat of the asphalt, which had been burning her hooves, was a temporary relief as she stepped inside.

The hospital stood six stories tall, its façade a faded shade of mamey, showing signs of wear and tear like many other buildings in Baltimare. Despite its imposing size, an eerie silence pervaded the air, with no signs of life apparent. A broken sign at the entrance bridge, connecting the hospital to the University of Mareland, bore the words "Welcome to My VA Mareland Health Care System," while scratched Equestria flags dotted the surroundings. Surprisingly, considering its predominantly glass structure, the windows remained intact.

"This hospital is massive. I'd better find a map," Stardust muttered to herself, realizing the complexity and size of the building would necessitate guidance.

Stardust carefully navigated through the lobby, mindful of the scattered papers strewn about – likely medical records – and the broken light bulbs and glass fragments littering the floor. She proceeded with caution, ensuring not to step on anything unusual, especially avoiding the grim possibility of stumbling upon corpses or pools of blood.

Fighting My Fears

Approaching the information desk, Stardust continued her meticulous survey of the surroundings. With her magic, she levitated several maps, inspecting each one for readability amidst the wear and tear. Given the dilapidated state of the hospital, finding a map in pristine condition proved challenging.

"Hmm, some sections are barely legible. This one might do," Stardust muttered to herself, selecting the map with the least damage and taking it in her grasp.

Armed with the necessary navigation aid, Stardust mentally prepared herself for the exploration that lay ahead. The thought of what she might encounter in such a vast and abandoned place sent shivers down her spine.

Stardust turned her attention to the pharmacy on her left, cautiously approaching with her FN P90 at the ready, prepared for any potential threats lurking behind the counter.

As she peered over the counter and found it empty, a sense of relief washed over her, accompanied by a subtle exhalation of breath.

"I suppose it's best not to get my hopes up about avoiding mutations here," Stardust mused to herself, her voice barely above a whisper, as she scanned the array of medications available in the pharmacy.

The floor of the pharmacy was littered with various pills, evidence that other ponies had previously scoured the area for supplies. Undeterred by the disarray, Stardust employed her magic to sift through the mess in search of the painkillers Lollipop had requested. However, the dim lighting in certain areas of the pharmacy posed a challenge, with only faint sunlight filtering through the windows providing any illumination.

"I dread to imagine what this place is like at night," Stardust murmured to herself, her steps echoing softly through the eerie corridors, her shivers stemming not from the cold, but from the ever-present fear that enveloped her.

Stardust carefully examined the multiple packages of medicines, taking her time to find one that remained intact and off the floor.

After some searching, Stardust finally discovered two packets of Nerafen Plus. As she read the warning on the package, cautioning against addiction with prolonged use, she carefully stowed both packets into her bag.

"Now, I just need to find the tweezers and bandages," Stardust muttered to herself as she made her way toward the pharmacy exit.

Consulting her map, Stardust determined that there were no further useful rooms on the first floor, prompting her to ascend the escalator and proceed to the second floor.

With each step, the surroundings grew dimmer, prompting Stardust to heighten her senses and tread cautiously to avoid overshadowing any potential auditory cues that could signal the presence of mutations or other threats nearby.

As Stardust ventured deeper into the darkness of the second floor, her unease grew palpable. The absolute darkness enveloped her, leaving only the faint pink glow of her horn to pierce the shadows.

"I can't see almost anything..." Stardust muttered, her voice trembling with fear as she cautiously moved forward, her eyes darting left and right in search of any sign of danger.

Suddenly, a strange static sound filled the air, causing Stardust to freeze in place, her senses on high alert.

"What's that?!" Stardust exclaimed, her heart pounding in her chest as she spun around, her P90 raised and ready for any threat.

"We have a new visitor, Stardust Glitter, from stable fifty," a disembodied male voice echoed through the darkness, sounding like a radio announcer broadcasting from some unknown source.

Stardust's blood ran cold as she strained to locate the source of the voice, her mind racing with fear and confusion. "Who's talking to me?" she demanded, her voice quivering with apprehension.

"He exists in a world beyond yours," the male voice persisted, its tone grave and unsettling.

Stardust's heart raced as she struggled to comprehend the mysterious voice's words. "What- what are you talking about? How do you know my name?" she stammered, her anxiety mounting with each passing moment.

"He lives a life beyond your world," the voice continued, its presence growing more ominous with each word, accompanied by the escalating static.

Stardust felt a chill run down her spine as she pressed onward, her senses heightened in anticipation of whatever unknown threat lurked in the shadows.

"Do you hear me? How do you know my name? I don't know who you're talking about either," Stardust demanded, her voice trembling with fear as she searched frantically for any sign of the source of the voice.

"But he lives a difficult life," the voice persisted, its words echoing hauntingly through the darkness.

"Why do you ignore me?" Stardust cried out, her nerves on edge as she pressed forward toward the clinic, determined to find answers amidst the unsettling whispers that surrounded her.

"He's here, he's watching you. Come closer, nopony is going to judge you," the voice persisted, its tone coaxing yet eerie.

Stardust's nerves were on edge as she cautiously approached the clinic, her mind reeling with confusion and fear. "Hey, Stardust," another voice chimed in, younger and less unsettling than the first.

Unable to discern reality from imagination, Stardust's voice quivered as she entered the clinic, her senses heightened in anticipation of any potential danger lurking in the shadows. "I don't know if my head is playing tricks on me or if all of this is real. I'm very confused," she admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty and fear.

"I think if I don't do something soon to fix it, I might end up dead," the younger voice spoke up, its concern palpable.

Stardust's gaze darted around the room, her senses on high alert as the voices continued to echo around her, making it difficult to discern their origin.

"I've been locked in these four walls for six years. I don't know what happened to me. I'm isolating myself for reasons that even I have trouble understanding," the anguished voice revealed, its words echoing hauntingly through the clinic.

Stardust cautiously navigated the clinic, her eyes falling upon the supposed corpses lying on stretchers, each covered with a sheet. The bodies appeared charred and lifeless, instilling a sense of unease in Stardust.

"Those ponies..." she murmured, her voice trembling with apprehension. Despite her reluctance, Stardust refrained from approaching the bodies, fearing any potential interaction with them.

The clinic's computers were in a state of disrepair, mirroring the dismal condition of the facility. Bloodstains marred the floor, while a nauseating stench hung heavy in the air, causing Stardust to grimace in disgust.

"I hope I can find the tweezers and bandages here," Stardust muttered, her voice tinged with anxiety. She avoided lingering near the bodies, fearful that they might stir to life in her presence. "I don't even know if they're dead, and I don't want to find out."

"I am so insignificant that if something were to happen to me, nothing would change. Everything would continue its course," the younger voice lamented, its frustration palpable. "The day that nopony attended my birthday, that was more than demonstrated."

"That voice is truly heartbreaking," Stardust remarked, her heart aching for the unseen speaker. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the voice's origin or reality, Stardust couldn't help but feel a deep sense of empathy towards the unseen speaker.

"I've been stabbed three times by the ponies I loved the most," the voice continued, its tone heavy with sorrow. "I've harbored my negative feelings for months, keeping them locked away without confiding in anypony but myself. I've always felt as though nopony cared about my struggles, so I found solace in speaking to myself, alone in my room."

Stardust's eyes welled up with tears as she listened to the voice's painful confession, her hoof trembling as she wiped away her tears. Despite her own struggles, she couldn't ignore the suffering of another.

"I can't bear this any longer," Stardust murmured, her voice choked with emotion. She surveyed the clinic, her gaze falling upon the rusty and dilapidated medical supplies scattered about. Knowing that using such tools would only worsen Lollipop's condition, Stardust resolved to press on.

"I have one hallway left to check," Stardust declared, her determination resolute. With a deep breath, she headed towards the last hallway, hoping to find the supplies she desperately needed.

As Stardust entered the hallway, the scene before her was chilling. Rows of covered corpses lined the walls, their eerie stillness sending shivers down her spine. But it was the sight at the end of the hallway that truly horrified her—a pony's corpse with a gaping hole in her neck, exposing the grisly sight of her bones from the atlas to the C7 vertebra.

Stardust's heart pounded in her chest as a surge of fear washed over her. Without warning, a sharp gasp escaped her lips, followed by a guttural scream that echoed through the corridor. In her panic, Stardust stumbled backward, her hooves slipping on the slick floor as she desperately tried to put distance between herself and the gruesome sight.

The nauseating smell of decay filled Stardust's nostrils, assaulting her senses as she fought to suppress the rising bile in her throat. But the sight before her was too much to bear, and with a violent retch, Stardust's stomach rebelled, expelling the contents of her breakfast onto the floor in a sickening display.

Her body convulsed with each heave, tears streaming down her cheeks as she struggled to regain control. Stardust's chest heaved as she gasped for air, the taste of bile lingering in her mouth as she wiped her mouth with a trembling hoof.

For a moment, Stardust was frozen in shame, her cheeks burning with embarrassment at the sight of her own vomit. She averted her gaze, unable to bear the sight of the mess she had made, her mind reeling with the horror of what she had just witnessed.

"It's a good thing Lollipop isn't here," Stardust muttered between ragged breaths, her voice filled with self-doubt. "She probably would have told me I'm a weakling."

Stardust grimaced as she examined the vomit stains on her jumpsuit, her disgust evident on her face. "I'll have to find a way to clean this up," she muttered, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

Resolutely, Stardust turned her attention to the pony's corpse, careful to avoid looking directly into its lifeless eyes. The pony wore a lab coat, suggesting she worked at the hospital. Beside her lay a note, stained with blood, and a weapon with a unique design: a Hecklar & Kich VP70 pistol with a stock.

Stardust's gaze lingered on the weapon, its design unfamiliar but undeniably imposing. She reached out with her magic, levitating the VP70 and examining it closely. The addition of the stock intrigued her, adding a sense of power and stability to the firearm.

A stock, in Equestrian firearms terminology, is an accessory attached to the rear of a firearm, typically a rifle or pistol, that provides additional support and stability when firing. It is usually designed to be shouldered by the shooter, allowing for greater accuracy and control. In the case of the VP70, the stock likely transformed the pistol into a more versatile and effective weapon, especially in combat situations.

Stardust carefully searched through the pockets of the corpse, her unease growing with each grim discovery. She found a pen but discarded it as useless. However, her luck improved when she uncovered two packages of ammunition for the VP70. Swiftly, she shrank both the ammunition and the VP70 with her magic, ensuring they fit snugly into her bag alongside her other supplies.

Examining the blood-stained note she retrieved from the corpse, Stardust struggled to decipher the smeared words. Despite the difficulty, she managed to make out a portion that read, "I must... NoisiaLife... undo." Puzzled by the cryptic message, she decided to leave the note behind and pressed on towards the clinic's exit.

As she hurried away from the scene, Stardust couldn't shake the haunting echoes of the younger male voice that reverberated through the hospital.

"I don't know what I have done to make all these things happen to me. I would say that the worst thing I have done in my life is lie to my mother several times. I'm paying the price for this." The voice's words struck a chord within Stardust, stirring memories of her own transgressions from her youth.

"I...I had done the same when I was a filly," she whispered softly, her thoughts drifting to moments long buried in her past.

The voice continued its somber struggles. "Sometimes I spend entire days without saying a word... interactions are very limited... I even forget what my voice sounds like."

Stardust glanced briefly at her map, realizing that the second floor held no further prospects for her search. With a sense of determination, she set her sights on the multi-purpose room located on the third floor.

"I should head towards the multi-purpose room... maybe I can find what I need there," Stardust mused aloud, her voice tinged with unease.

As she ascended the escalator to the third floor, Stardust couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension that gripped her. The hospital's oppressive atmosphere seemed to weigh heavily on her, fueling her sense of discomfort and anxiety. Yet, she pushed aside her fears, knowing that Lollipop's life hung in the balance.

Navigating through the corridors of the third floor, Stardust followed the directions on her map, guiding her towards the designated room. Strange sounds emanated from the ventilation shafts above, causing her ears to twitch in response. Despite the unnerving noises, Stardust pressed on, determined to forge ahead.

"I think the only way to move forward is to fight my inner demons and become a better pony... I think I can win this fight alone, without telling anypony," the voice declared, his words resonating within Stardust's mind.

As the voice fell silent, so too did the static that had filled the air. However, from the recesses of the ceiling ventilation, a menacing mutation emerged, its presence casting a shadow over Stardust's path.

Stardust recoiled in horror at the sight of the grotesque creature before her, her heart pounding in her chest. The Iron Maiden, with its dark skin and rotten flesh, moved erratically, its bright orange eyes gleaming with malice. Its body bristled with sharp spikes, ready to impale anything in its path.

"GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!" Stardust screamed, her voice laced with fear, as she stumbled backward, her P90 trained on the approaching menace.

With trembling hooves, Stardust activated the S.A.T.S mode of her Pipbuck, aiming to incapacitate the Iron Maiden. She targeted its head and front hooves, firing four shots in quick succession.

However, her aim faltered under the pressure of the moment. Three shots missed their mark entirely, while only one struck the Iron Maiden's front hoof, causing it to recoil momentarily.

The Iron Maiden's slow, deliberate movements, coupled with its terrifying appearance and bristling spikes, kept Stardust on edge, her anxiety reaching a fever pitch.

Despite its attempts to vocalize, the Iron Maiden's twisted form prevented it from forming coherent sentences, let alone uttering a single letter of the alphabet. It lurched forward slowly, its spiked body menacingly exposed.

With a determined glare, Stardust braced herself and unleashed a barrage of shots from her P90, her voice ringing out in a primal scream of defiance. "DIEEEE!" she cried, her fear fueling her attack.

The Iron Maiden staggered under the onslaught, its dark form drenched in a sickening mixture of yellow and red blood. Several shots found their mark, severing one of its front hooves and sending it crashing to the ground.

Despite its grievous injuries, the Iron Maiden continued to crawl forward, undeterred by the loss of its limb.

The Iron Maiden let out a piercing scream, lunging forward in an attempt to sink its teeth into Stardust's neck.

Reacting with swift agility, Stardust rolled across the ground, narrowly evading the Iron Maiden's vicious assault. Without looking back, she seized the opportunity to flee, bolting toward the multi-purpose room with a sense of urgency.

Her heart racing and breath coming in rapid gasps, Stardust scanned the cluttered room frantically. "I must find the bandages and clamps quickly! That thing is still alive and will surely follow me everywhere," she muttered, her eyes darting across the chaotic scene.

The room was strewn with overturned stretchers, broken medical equipment, and pools of blood, grim reminders of the Iron Maiden's rampage. Despite her growing unease, Stardust pressed on, determined to locate the supplies she needed.

Beneath one of the stretchers, she spotted a Frankchi SPAS-12, abandoned beside a corpse. It seemed the unfortunate victim had attempted to defend themselves but ultimately succumbed to the Iron Maiden's onslaught. The corpse lay in a state of advanced decomposition, its face gruesomely mangled beyond recognition.

Stardust felt a surge of revulsion at the sight but forced herself to push past it. The discovery of the SPAS-12 offered some measure of relief, though she grappled with the decision of whether to keep it or her P90.

"I don't know how to reload this weapon either..." Stardust admitted, her knowledge of shotguns limited. "Shotguns are usually lethal at short distances, but... I don't want to get close to that thing."

She weighed her options carefully, contemplating whether to discard her P90 in favor of the shotgun. With only one magazine left for the P90, the decision weighed heavily on her mind.

"Think, think, Stardust," she muttered, her hooves pressed against her temples in frustration. "If I get rid of the P90 and keep the shotgun, maybe I can finish that thing... although I'm not sure if that will be enough. There are three packs of ammunition."

She checked her bag to confirm the ammunition count, then glanced back at the P90's remaining magazine, uncertainty clouding her thoughts.

"I think I'll stick with the shotgun. If I continue with the P90, I'll run out of ammunition, and it seems that thing isn't much affected by submachine gun bullets. I emptied almost an entire magazine into it, and it was still alive," Stardust reasoned, her voice tinged with determination as she analyzed the situation.

Carefully, she set down her P90 and its magazine, opting instead to take the SPAS-12 along with the three packs of ammunition, stowing the ammo safely in her bag.

"Nothing more useful in this room. I'll head to the fourth floor to see if I can find what I need," Stardust affirmed, turning away from the cluttered scene and moving deliberately toward the room's exit.

Stardust slowly approached the door, her ears perked up to catch the disturbing sounds of the Iron Maiden. What puzzled her was the sight of the creature seemingly regenerating the limb it had lost.

"Can... can it regenerate?!" Stardust pondered silently as she observed the Iron Maiden, her heart racing with fear and uncertainty.

"If it can regenerate, how will I defeat it?! I'll have to run away from that thing no matter what. I'll wait for it to move away from the ladder, so I can go up without it noticing," Stardust strategized, her eyes fixed on the hallway as she planned her escape.

Stardust watched intently as the Iron Maiden slowly traversed the corridors, leaving a trail of saliva in its wake, a grim indication of its thirst for blood.

As the creature reached the end of the corridor and crashed into the wall, Stardust seized the opportunity to make her move. With a quick glance to ensure the coast was clear, she hastened towards the stairs leading to the fourth floor.

"I hope I find what I need at the clinic. I want to get out of here as quickly as possible..." Stardust muttered to herself, her pace quickening as she ascended the stairs. She instinctively covered her nose with a front hoof, the overpowering scent of blood becoming more pronounced in this area.

As Stardust reached the fourth floor and glanced to the left, she spotted the logo of "NoisiaLife," the same name mentioned in the note found with the corpse. The logo depicted a three-leaf clover, but she couldn't dwell on the connection at the moment. "Lollipop is my priority," she reminded herself, pushing the thought aside to focus on the task at hoof.

Navigating through the dimly lit corridors, Stardust couldn't shake the feeling of unease. She was grateful for the silence that had replaced the voices, unsure if they were spirits or figments of her imagination. "I'm all alone in this place, that's certain," she mused quietly to herself.

Turning left towards the clinic, Stardust's ears twitched as she caught the unsettling sound of an Iron Maiden nearby. Whether it was the same one or a different creature, she didn't know. Suppressing a scream, she quickened her pace, reaching the clinic door and closing it with her magic, careful to avoid making any noise that might alert the creature.

"Why won't you leave me alone?" Stardust muttered in frustration, the tension of her situation weighing heavily on her mind.

Despite keeping the door closed, Stardust moved cautiously to minimize noise, her breath and hooves the only sounds in the eerily silent clinic.

Surveying her surroundings, Stardust noted that the clinic appeared less chaotic compared to the previous floors. Though bodies shrouded in sheets still lay about, there were no signs of a recent massacre.

A peculiar sensation enveloped Stardust, as if the hospital itself were in motion, causing her to feel disoriented. "What's happening? It feels like the whole place is spinning," she pondered silently.

Despite the sensation of movement, everything in the hospital remained in its rightful place, leaving Stardust to question whether it was merely a trick of her mind or a fleeting bout of dizziness.

"Might just be my mind playing tricks on me again, or perhaps it's just a momentary spell of dizziness," Stardust reasoned to herself, continuing her search for medical supplies.

As she sifted through the inventory, Stardust found many of the supplies either used or in a state of disrepair. It was possible that another group of survivors had already claimed what they needed, leaving behind only remnants for Stardust to scavenge.

Stardust meticulously combed through the cluttered shelves and cabinets of the clinic, her keen eyes scanning each item in search of the essentials: tweezers and bandages. She methodically inspected every nook and cranny, her hooves gently shuffling through the debris as she sifted through the remnants of medical supplies.

Each drawer she opened revealed a chaotic array of medical equipment, some rusted or broken beyond use. Among the scattered items, she found empty vials, torn gauze, and shattered syringes, but none of the crucial tools she desperately sought.

With furrowed brows and a growing sense of frustration, Stardust persisted in her search, her determination fueling her despite the mounting obstacles. She checked and rechecked every corner of the clinic, her movements becoming more frantic as time wore on.

As minutes turned into what felt like hours, Stardust's patience wore thin. The weight of her friend's plight bore down on her, intensifying her desperation to find the supplies needed to save Lollipop's life. Each empty drawer and barren shelf served as a cruel reminder of the dire situation she faced.

Despite her frustration and the seemingly insurmountable odds, Stardust refused to give up.

Stardust's frustration boiled over as she pounded the ground with her hoof, a mixture of anger and helplessness surging through her.

"Argh! I can't find anything," she exclaimed, her voice laced with frustration and desperation.

She had been scouring the clinic with unwavering determination, but her efforts had yielded nothing. Each empty drawer and barren shelf seemed to mock her, amplifying her sense of defeat.

Suddenly, an instinctive urge prompted Stardust to glance towards the window. As she approached, her body trembling with anticipation, she hesitantly placed her hooves against the glass, her breath catching in her throat.

What she saw outside defied all logic and reason. Equestria lay spread out before her, but it was not the familiar landscape she knew. Instead, she found herself surrounded by the vast expanse of space, with asteroids drifting lazily by and the distant glimmer of celestial bodies dotting the cosmic horizon.

But the shock didn't end there. Turning her gaze to the other window, Stardust beheld a surreal sight that left her utterly speechless. In place of the university, there stood another iteration of the hospital, its structure composed entirely of Rubik's cubes. Each floor rotated independently, their vibrant colors blending together in a mesmerizing dance of motion and form.

Stardust blinked repeatedly, as if hoping to dispel the illusion before her. Yet, no matter how many times she blinked, the strange spectacle remained unchanged, casting a surreal veil over her reality.

Stardust's heart pounded in her chest like a relentless drumbeat, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she staggered backwards, her eyes wide with disbelief and horror.

"No, this can't be real... NOOOOOO!" she cried out, her voice cracking with anguish as she struggled to comprehend the incomprehensible. Tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving shimmering trails of sorrow in their wake, as the weight of the surreal scene pressed down upon her like a suffocating blanket.

The overwhelming sense of despair washed over Stardust like a tidal wave, threatening to engulf her in its merciless grip. She felt as though she were teetering on the edge of an abyss, her world unraveling before her very eyes, leaving her adrift in a sea of uncertainty and fear.

"Lollipop, help me!" she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation as she reached out for a lifeline that she knew, deep down, could never reach her. The realization hit her like a physical blow, driving home the crushing sense of isolation and hopelessness that threatened to consume her whole.

In that moment of profound despair, Stardust felt utterly alone, her cries echoing through the empty expanse of space like a haunting lament. She longed for the comforting presence of her friend, for a reassuring hoof to hold and a familiar voice to chase away the darkness that threatened to consume her.

But there was no one to answer her call, no one to offer solace in the face of the inexplicable. All she could do was cling to the fragile threads of her sanity and press on, hoping against hope that somehow, someway, she would find a way out of this nightmarish reality.

Stardust's trembling hooves fumbled with the buttons on her Pipbuck, tears blurring her vision as she desperately tried to reach out to her parents. But as the words "NO SIGNAL" flashed mockingly on the screen, her heart sank like a stone, the crushing weight of despair settling over her like a suffocating shroud.

With a choked sob, Stardust collapsed to the ground, her body wracked with sobs as she curled into a tight ball, seeking refuge from the cruel reality that surrounded her. The sounds of her anguished cries echoed through the empty space, a haunting lament that seemed to reverberate endlessly in the void.

"I WANT TO GO HOME BUAAAAAAH!" Stardust wailed, her voice raw with emotion as she kicked out with her hind hooves in frustration. Her entire being was consumed by an overwhelming sense of longing and despair, a yearning for the warmth and familiarity of home that felt impossibly out of reach.

Her front hooves clutched at her face, trying in vain to shield her from the harshness of the world around her. But no amount of tears could wash away the pain and confusion that gnawed at her soul, leaving her feeling adrift in a sea of darkness and uncertainty.

In that moment of profound despair, Stardust felt utterly alone, her cries a desperate plea for comfort and reassurance in the face of overwhelming adversity. But as the echoes of her anguish faded into the empty expanse of space, she was left with nothing but the cold, indifferent silence of the cosmos.

Stardust's voice trembled with fear and despair as she cried out into the emptiness of space, her words echoing back to her like a haunting lament. Tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving shimmering trails in their wake as they fell into the void, lost among the stars.

"Will I be trapped in space forever?!" Stardust's voice cracked with anguish, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her like a suffocating blanket. Each breath felt heavy and labored, as if the very air around her had turned to lead.

"I don't want to die!" Stardust's words were choked with emotion, her body trembling as she sank to the ground in a heap of despair. Her hooves clutched at her face, as if trying to shield herself from the harsh reality of her situation, but there was no escape from the crushing weight of her fear and uncertainty.

In that moment of profound vulnerability, Stardust felt utterly helpless, her heart heavy with the realization that she was at the mercy of forces beyond her control. The vastness of space stretched out before her, a vast and unfathomable expanse that seemed to swallow her whole, leaving her feeling small and insignificant in its infinite embrace.

"I must- I must find a way out," Stardust's voice quivered with determination, though tears still streaked down her cheeks like silver rivers. Her words were punctuated by soft sobs, the weight of her despair heavy upon her.

"I don't know how but there must be something, something that would bring me back to Equestria." Despite the overwhelming sense of hopelessness that engulfed her, Stardust's resolve remained unbroken. She stood amidst the chaos of her emotions, her trembling form a testament to the strength of her will.

With a shaky breath, Stardust reached out with her magic, lifting the SPAS-12 from the ground and drawing it close to her. It was a small comfort in the face of such overwhelming uncertainty, but it was something to cling to amidst the darkness that surrounded her.

Stardust's mind raced with possibilities, each one more daunting than the last. She didn't know how to get back to Equestria, but she refused to give up hope. If she stayed in that room, consumed by her sorrow, she knew she would be vulnerable to attack by the creatures that lurked in the shadows. So she pressed on, driven by a determination born from desperation, determined to find a way back home no matter the cost.

To be continue

Chapter 5 - The Last Card I Have Left To Play

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My name is Blackjack. Before, I went by the name Go Fish, but I changed it because I didn't like the sound of it. I'm 20 years old and I reside in Marechester, particularly in the Gay Village of the city. It's a decent place to live; there's no radiation or mutations to worry about, though there's a constant occurrence of shootings and car-jackings that one should not overlook.

I used to live in Hoofington with my best friends, Glory and Rampage. We knew each other since we were fillies, and those were very good times... I often wish I could travel back in time and change the past, the event that led to our separation.

In that place, it wasn't possible to fulfill our... I mean, my dream, which was to create a show where we were like heroines of the Wasteland. It was a dream that any filly our age would have.

As the chapters went by, I tried too hard to make everything focus on me. I wanted to be the center of attention. Morning and Rampage gave me suggestions; they also wanted to shine. But I pretended not to listen and continued with my role of thinking only I was capable of doing everything.

That dream turned into a nightmare. We fought and argued all the time, a constant since season three. Glory was only there out of economic necessity, while Rampage was only there for Glory. And me? I enjoyed bathing in bottle caps, ignoring the fact that I crushed the hearts of the closest ponies I had.

As I always say... I'm not a smart pony. Did I realize I was hurting them in time? No, of course not.

When Project Horizons ended and a year passed, my fame gradually declined. The entertainment media evolved, and my name began to slip down the list.

That's why... I now live in an empty shell, called a mansion.

What's the point of having such a big, luxurious place if you don't have anypony to share it with?

My mansion, a hollow monument to my past glory, stretches across two floors adorned with statues of myself and the most beautiful flowers imaginable. Each room, once meant for lively gatherings and shared laughter, now sits empty and untouched. Cozy sofas gather dust in the corners, their cushions longing for the warmth of company that never comes.

The bedrooms, too numerous to count, echo with the silent emptiness of their unoccupied beds. Even the air feels heavy with loneliness as it swirls through the hallways, carrying the weight of unspoken words and missed opportunities.

And then there's the pool. A shimmering oasis of tears, where I hurl myself from the balcony to plunge into its icy depths. As I sink into the cold embrace of the water, I find solace in its silent depths, surrounded by my own suffering as I gaze up at the indifferent gray sky above.

Sometimes, I slip into a catatonic state, where the world around me fades into insignificance. I become oblivious to the shootings and accidents that plague Marechester's streets, lost in the labyrinth of my own mind. In this internal purgatory, I relentlessly replay the scenes of my past, searching desperately for a way to undo the mistakes I've made.

But it's not fiction; it's my reality. A reality filled with regrets and missed opportunities, where the weight of my own failures crushes me under its relentless burden. And yet, I cling to these fantasies of redemption, grasping at any shred of hope that might offer me salvation.

But reality is cruel, unyielding in its brutality. It's a harsh truth that many ponies seek to escape, drowning their sorrows in whatever distractions they can find. And so, I retreat further into my own mind, seeking solace in the depths of my despair.

I spend almost every waking moment drowning my sorrows in whiskey. It's become my only companion, my only solace in this empty mansion. I know it's slowly poisoning my body, but the numbness it brings is the only reprieve I can find from the relentless torment of my own thoughts.

And then there are the meaningless encounters, the hollow attempts to fill the void left by Glory's absence. But no matter how many ponies I bring into my bed, none of them can compare to the connection we once shared. It's a cruel irony that in seeking solace, I only find further emptiness.

As for Glory, I cling to the delusion that she still cares, that one day she'll reach out to me. But the truth is, we haven't spoken in what feels like an eternity. I know she's out there, somewhere in Charlton-cum-Hardy, but the thought of reaching out to her fills me with a crippling sense of dread. What if she's moved on, forgotten about me entirely? The mere possibility is too painful to bear.

I've tried reaching out to Glory countless times, desperate for even the slightest hint of acknowledgment. But each attempt is met with the same icy silence, her voicemail message serving as a harsh reminder of our fractured relationship.

"I'm Glory," her voice echoes in my mind, dripping with disdain. "If you call me for a matter related to sex, rest assured I won't answer. Fuck off." It's the only response I've received from her since the day our trio fell apart, leaving behind nothing but bitterness and regret.

And yet, despite the clear message she's sent, I can't bring myself to stop trying. Each unanswered call, each ignored message only deepens the ache in my heart, driving me further into the abyss of my own despair. It's a cycle of rejection and longing that I can't seem to break free from.

I've been a fool to think that by wallowing in self-pity, all my problems would magically vanish. There's no angelic intervention waiting to swoop down and fix everything with a comforting word. Reality doesn't work that way. Nothing gets solved on its own, and no mysterious force will swoop in to save the day. If I continue to linger here, drowning in my own misery, I'll only find myself trapped in an endless cycle, spinning aimlessly with no hope of escape.

If I ever hope to reunite with Glory, to gaze into those mesmerizing violet eyes once more, to bask in the radiant glow of her vibrant mane, I must muster the courage to rise from this pit of despair and take action. I can't expect her to come to me; I must be the one to reach out and mend the bonds we once shared. It's the only way forward, the only path out of this suffocating darkness.

I must... muster the strength to rise, to cease this endless cycle of tears and regret.

I'll pay a visit to Glory, for if I remain here, inert and weeping, I shall achieve naught. It's abundantly clear that she has no intention of seeking me out.

As I lifted myself from the couch, the trails of my tears mingled with its fabric, becoming indistinguishable from the surroundings of my solitary abode.

Surveying my living room, I beheld those posters from my ill-fated show... each one a painful reminder of past mistakes, of shattered dreams.

They must go. I'll rid myself of these relics, expunge them from my home. I seek a fresh start, a new chapter in my life devoid of these painful reminders.

I trudged towards the weapons cabinet, my heart heavy with the weight of my shattered dreams. Each step echoed the melancholy rhythm of my soul, a dirge for lost friendships and broken promises.

Within its confines lay an array of armaments, ranging from pistols to assault rifles and even anti-materiel rifles. Yet, in this moment, all I required was a simple sledgehammer.

With a flick of my telekinesis, I grasped the sledgehammer and made my way back to the room. There, I commenced my task, laying waste to the statues that adorned the space, the sound of breaking glass echoing through the room.

Each blow of the sledgehammer was accompanied by a declaration of renunciation. "I RENOUNCE ALL OF THIS!" I exclaimed aloud as I shattered each and every action figure that had once adorned my shelves.

Glass and debris littered the floor, but I paid it no heed. In this moment, nothing mattered to me except for the absence of Glory and Rampage.

I stared at the doll lying on the floor, consumed by a firestorm of rage burning within me. Not because it was an inanimate object, but because it symbolized all the pain and regret of my past, all the foolish choices that brought me to this dark place...

"I... I wish, this had never happened," I choked out, my voice trembling with emotion as I brought down the sledgehammer upon the doll's head, its eye rolling away, lost in the shadows of the room.

I glanced around the chaos I had wrought in my living room, sighing heavily as I grappled with the intense emotions swirling inside me. The mess around me didn't matter; all I cared about was reconnecting with my friends.

After finishing my destructive rampage, I hurled the hammer aside and made my way to the weapons room. Dominating the space was my security armor, its dark blue hue contrasting sharply with the bold yellow number 99 emblazoned on its surface. The armor, covering nearly my entire body save for my tail and head, stood ready for action.

With a flick of my magic, I removed the Pipbuck from my left hoof and affixed it to the armor. The armor featured a button that allowed it to open halfway, facilitating easy entry. I gingerly positioned myself within its confines, and as it detected my weight, the armor closed around me, providing a snug fit while ensuring I remained cool with its built-in air conditioning.

Nearby, my weapons lay waiting on a piece of furniture. Alongside them rested my trusty bag, where I kept my Penn Hoof Striker-12 and TR-1 Ultralight. With a simple spell, I shrunk both weapons to fit neatly into my bag.

As I debated whether to bring my elixir of life, I hesitated. It was a precious resource, difficult to obtain, but ultimately, I decided against it. With weapons in hoof, I felt a sense of security—a necessary precaution in this unforgiving world, where danger lurked around every corner.

Before leaving, I also packed ammunition for my guns.

Trotting back into my destroyed living room, walking across the glass that creaked with every step I took and stepping on the eye of the doll from before with much contempt, I lifted the mat with telekinesis and took out my key.

I left my mansion and locked the door, keeping the key in my bag.

The sky was gray, reflecting the color of my heart, in contrast to the streets of Marechester, which were adorned with rainbow flags.

Trotting through the streets were also painted in rainbow colors in certain areas, with many of the buildings still stable and under maintenance.

One of my favorite places is the Gay bar, which is not far from my mansion. Sometimes, I go to those bars to meet mares and stallions and then invite them to spend the night with me.

Checking my Pipbuck momentarily, where I can access the map of Marechester, Charlton is considerably far away if I go trotting. If I find a car... I think I'll steal it.

I've had two cars, but I totaled them both. I'm not very good at driving, and because there are very few auto repairs in operation, they charge too much. Almost all my bottle caps are spent on alcohol or with prostitutes, so I couldn't buy another one even if I wanted to.

I'll keep trotting until I find one. The design or brand doesn't matter; I just don't want to walk there.

What sometimes saddens me is seeing multiple happy couples enjoying moments together while I walk through these streets. It's very contrary to my situation. I looked away from all those ponies; it only made me feel worse and a little envious.

I would like it to be like that with Glory. I want to be with her, at least one more time.

As I trot through the streets of the Gay Village in Marechester, I can't help but feel a heavy weight in my chest. The rainbow flags that flutter proudly above the buildings cast vibrant colors onto the cobblestone streets below. It's a stark contrast to the grayness that lingers in my heart.

The rainbow-painted streets seem to mock me with their cheerfulness, reminding me of the vibrant love and happiness that I'm so painfully lacking. Every colorful storefront and joyful laughter that echoes from the cafes serves as a bitter reminder of what I've lost.

Even the ponies around me, their expressions filled with warmth and affection, only serve to deepen my sense of isolation. They walk holding hoof, sharing tender moments of connection that I can only dream of experiencing again.

As I navigate through the bustling crowds, I can't shake the feeling of emptiness that consumes me. Each step I take feels heavier than the last, weighed down by the burden of loneliness that I carry with me wherever I go.

The Gay Village, with its rainbow-colored streets and vibrant atmosphere, is a constant reminder of everything I've lost. And as much as I try to find solace in its colorful facade, my heart remains trapped in a perpetual state of gray.

I force myself to push aside those melancholic thoughts as I trudge onward through the streets. My sole focus now is finding a vehicle and reaching Glory's house as swiftly as possible.

But the weight of my emotions threatens to overwhelm me at any moment. I can feel the tears welling up behind my eyes, threatening to spill over and betray the pain I carry within me.

I can't afford to let myself get lost in these emotions, not here, not now. The last thing I need is to become a spectacle in the midst of the bustling Gay Village.

I found myself standing at the intersection of Pertland Street, where the traffic lights blinked in their ceaseless rhythm. This was the perfect spot to snag a vehicle, or so I hoped.

Leaning against the cold stone wall of a nearby building, I clasped my front hooves together, my gaze fixed on the road ahead. Patience was key in this game of waiting and watching.

But as the moments stretched on, I couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. Finding a vehicle to steal wasn't as easy as I had hoped. In a world ravaged by war, technology like cars was a rarity, coveted by the fortunate few who possessed them.

My ears pricked up at the distant rumble of an approaching engine, drawing closer with each passing second until it came to a halt right in front of me, halted by the glaring red traffic light.

I braced myself for what had to be done, the regret already gnawing at my insides.

As the vehicle came to a stop, my eyes flicked over its make and model—a Jensenet S-V8, if I recalled correctly—but such details hardly mattered in the heat of the moment.

With a swift burst of magic, I flung the door open and lunged towards the driver, a startled mare whose eyes widened in disbelief at my intrusion.

Before my front hooves pushed her unceremoniously out of her own vehicle, my voice ringing out in a mixture of desperation and aggression, "GET OUT OF THE FUCKING CAR ASSHOLE!"

As I slid into the driver's seat, the mare's voice pierced through the air, filled with anger and accusation. "YOU FUCKING KLEPTO! GIVE ME BACK MY CAR!" It was a futile plea, lost amidst the chaos of my actions.

Her words faded into the background as I slammed my hind hoof down on the accelerator, propelling the stolen vehicle forward with a burst of speed. I paid little heed to her cries, my focus consumed by the urgency of my mission.

In my haste, I momentarily forgot to close the door. With a swift motion, I extended my right hoof and pulled the door shut, shutting out the outside world as I raced away from the scene of my theft.

The streets lay relatively empty, a rare occurrence that offered me some semblance of relief as I navigated the stolen vehicle through the city. Each meter I covered without incident was a small victory in itself, a brief respite from the chaos that filled my mind.

Periodically, I glanced down at my Pipbuck, its screen illuminating the dim interior of the car as I consulted the map. The location of Charlton remained fixed in my mind, a beacon of hope amidst the uncertainty that plagued me. Despite the inherent risks of my reckless journey, my desperation drove me forward, unwilling to waste precious time by stopping to check the map more frequently.

It appeared that I was on the right path, the neon glow of the city fading into the distance as I ventured further into the suburbs. With each passing minute, the prospect of reaching my destination within the next ten minutes grew ever closer.

As I continued to navigate the deserted streets, my attention was momentarily diverted to the radio. Perhaps tuning in to some music or funny shit would provide a brief respite from the bleakness of my thoughts. With a flick of my magic, I adjusted the volume, the familiar voice of DJ-Pon3 filling the car's interior as Galaxy News Radio crackled to life.

DJ-Pon3: To wrap up the news segment, a group of ponies are rebuilding the bridges of Neigh York, mentioning that nopony thinks about earth ponies.

Swift Road: We're busy reconnecting the bridges to Bronclyn and New Jarsay. We can't do magic, fly, or any other fancy shits we can't do. Not all of us have access to boats or helicopters. We may be strong, but that doesn't mean we can swim half an hour from one island to another.

Nimble Force interviewer: How long will the bridge construction take?

Swift Road: At this rate, I estimate two months. We'll have to remove the friendship train tracks and use them to create a sea railway. Also, you can get head on the bridges for twenty bottle caps.

DJ-Pon3: And of course, Equestria's biggest worry won't just be radiation, but the spreading syphilis throughout the land! How many celebrities will be accused of being sexual offenders? What do stable ponies' vaginas look like? These questions will only be answered on Galaxy News, because we don't know what privacy is.

Haha, it's true, being an earth pony seems tough. No wings, no magic... life must throw them some real curveballs.

But hey, being a unicorn isn't too shabby, I must admit. I mean, who could live without magic? Not me, that's for sure.

As for Manehattan, well, I'm not planning on visiting anytime soon, but I'm glad they're fixing those bridges. Can you believe they've been down for over two hundred years? Must make getting around the city a real pain in the ass.

I glanced at my Pipbuck one last time, the digital clock ticking down as I counted the minutes. Just five more until Charlton. I took a left down Keppal Rd, but then...

Oh no...

I usually breeze through red lights, it's become a habit of mine. There's no pony enforcing traffic rules, and honestly, who would want that job? But this time, it was a mistake. That building obstructed my view of the other street, leaving me blind to the Double-Decker bus barreling towards me.

The impact was jarring, sparks flying as 'my' car scraped against the towering vehicle. The bus driver blared their horn in frustration, but I couldn't care less.

With a scrape and a graze, I finally cleared the bus and turned right, breathing a sigh of relief as Charlton came into view.

Charlton sprawled out before me, a neighborhood of cookie-cutter houses, all painted in various shades of brown. They huddled close together, almost indistinguishable from one another.

Navigating the narrow streets, I had to inch along, dodging parked cars that lined the roadside. The last thing I needed was to crash into something and attract unwanted attention. I wasn't in the mood for any more trouble.

Luckily, Glory's contact was still saved in my Pipbuck. Her number hadn't changed, at least not yet. So, I trusted that the location it gave me was accurate. According to my Pipbuck, she lived across from a supermarket called Marrisans.

I sighed, feeling the weight of my incompetence behind the wheel. Parking wasn't my forte, and I had no desire to struggle with it now. So, I opted for the simplest solution: blocking the entire sidewalk with the car. Not the most considerate move, but it got the job done.

As I tried to exit the vehicle, frustration began to simmer within me. The door refused to budge, despite my efforts to unlock it. It took a moment for realization to dawn on me: the encounter with the bus must have damaged the door mechanism. That's what I get for speeding at 90 km per hour.

With a resigned huff, I used my magic to roll down the driver's window and clumsily clambered out, landing ungracefully on the pavement. Brushing myself off, I hurriedly picked myself up, eager to put some distance between me and the car.

As I approached Glory's house, my mind was filled with conflicting emotions. I braced myself for two possible outcomes: either she would slam the door in my face and tell me to go to hell, or she might grant me another chance to mend our friendship. I tried to temper my expectations, aiming for a state of neutrality, neither too hopeful nor too pessimistic.

Standing before her door, I raised my left front hoof and rapped against it gently. No words escaped my lips as I waited anxiously for her response.

There was a brief pause before Glory's distant voice responded, asking for a moment. I waited in silence, my heart pounding with anticipation.

Finally, her voice came closer as she addressed me through the door. "Who is this?" she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity. I hesitated, unsure of how to respond, before she recognized me. "Oh, it's you, Blackjack," she continued, her sarcasm cutting through the air. "Let me guess, you've come here for sex? You're so predictable."

My ears drooped at her words, but I quickly shook off the sting of her sarcasm. "No, I didn't come for that," I replied earnestly. "I just wanted to talk to you."

Glory's skepticism was palpable through the door. "Aha, and should I believe that?" she retorted. I felt a surge of frustration, wishing she could see the sincerity in my eyes. All I wanted was her forgiveness, nothing more.

"Yes... I mean, let me come in and let's talk about this, okay?" I pleaded softly, resting my hoof against the door. "I just want to resolve this." Please, let me in.

I could hear the annoyance in Glory's breath as she unlocked the door and let me in. Her expression was blank, devoid of any emotion. It was as if she was simply going through the motions, not caring that I was there, but still willing to hear me out.

There were no hugs, no greetings—just a silent gesture for me to enter as she extended her left hoof. I accepted the invitation, stepping into her home with a heavy heart.

Glory's voice cut through the silence, breaking the tension. "Do you want something to eat or drink?" she asked, her tone cold and persistent.

I turned to face her, meeting her gaze. "No, thank you," I replied softly, my own tone reflecting the melancholy that weighed heavily on my heart.

As Glory closed the door with a loud thud, the sound echoed in the room, magnifying the sense of unease that hung in the air. It was clear that I was not entirely welcome here.

Glory's house exuded an aura of darkness and mystery, much like her personality. Every corner was adorned with skeletal decorations, from miniature skeletons dangling from the ceiling to larger ones standing proudly in the corners. Artificial black roses, with petals as dark as midnight, adorned every surface.

The walls were painted in a striking combination of deep purple and black, with abstract drawings of hearts cut in half, each one symbolizing a piece of Glory's guarded heart. The furniture was sleek and modern, mostly black in color, blending seamlessly with the overall theme of the house.

As I made my way through the house, I noticed the presence of several black cats, each one adding to the enigmatic ambiance of the place. Their piercing yellow eyes followed my every move as I walked towards the living room, where I hoped to finally have a conversation with Glory.

Glory's demeanor remained aloof as she reclined on the sofa, her posture rigid and distant. She made it clear that she preferred to keep her distance from me, her actions speaking volumes even without words.

Resting her hoof against the arm of the sofa, she propped her head up with an air of indifference as she addressed me. "What is there to talk about? I don't think there is much to tell, we both already know how things ended, the show ends and everypony takes their way," she remarked, her gaze piercing mine with an unyielding intensity.

I hesitated, struggling to find the right words to express myself.

"You know, I heard what you said on the radio," I began, my voice wavering slightly as I attempted to articulate my thoughts. But before I could continue, Glory interjected with a sarcastic remark.

"Thank you... I guess. I'm glad to have been heard by somepony like you, even if it's on a radio and not in real life," she replied, her words dripping with icy sarcasm.

A momentary silence hung between us, the tension palpable in the air.

"I'm also glad you're going to have your own show. I'll listen to it when I can," I offered, attempting to extend an olive branch.

Glory's response was curt and dismissive. "That's great, but that won't improve our situation," she retorted, her tone cutting like a knife. It was a harsh reminder of the distance that had grown between us, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt at her words.

My entire body trembled with emotion, each moment feeling heavier than the last, as if the weight of my mistakes was crushing me from within.

"The- the main reason I came was because I wanted to apologize. I know I was a maroon to you and Rampage, and I want to fix it. Give me a second chance. We all deserve a second chance, don't we?" I pleaded, extending a hoof forward tentatively, trying to convey the sincerity of my words while holding back the overwhelming urge to shed tears.

Glory's expression softened slightly, her gaze faltering as she listened to my words. "I don't know... It's hard to forgive when you've been ridiculed on multiple occasions. I'm basically a walking mockery thanks to you. It wasn't even about a trio of friends wanting to save the wasteland; it was just about Blackjack being the best at everything," she confessed, her voice tinged with anger and resentment as she crossed her front hooves in frustration, the memories of our tumultuous past haunting her thoughts.

"I know, I know. I got carried away. But I would like you to understand that it's not like that anymore. I've changed. That Blackjack is dead," I assured Glory, desperation creeping into my voice as I tried to convey the depth of my sincerity. It was difficult to make her understand, to bridge the gap that had formed between us. But putting myself in her hooves, I couldn't blame her for feeling the way she did. After all, if I were treated like garbage, I'd probably feel the same way too.

"No, no, I've been through too much to forgive you that easily. They think I'm a bitch. I get calls all the time. I have stalkers-" One of Glory's cats interrupted, jumping up and seeking attention. Glory started petting him, a small gesture of comfort that seemed to calm her down slightly. "If you REALLY want this friendship to keep working, I'm going to need you to do me a favor. If not, I don't want to see you again."

I felt a chill run down my spine at her words. I didn't like the sound of this at all. But faced with the prospect of losing her friendship, I knew my options were limited. What else could I do? I couldn't bear the thought of returning to that empty mansion, spending countless months in complete darkness without anypony to listen to me.

"What-what is it about?" I asked in a low tone, my eyebrow raised in apprehension.

"I need you to be my contract killer," Glory stated matter-of-factly, her words sending a shockwave of disbelief through me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I'd known Glory for a long time, but I never thought she would be capable of asking me for something like this. Could things really have gotten so bad that she was asking me to take somepony's life?

"Say again?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my eyes fixed on Glory with a mixture of concern and disbelief, desperately hoping that she was joking, though deep down, I knew she probably wasn't.

"I want you to wipe several schmuckos off the map who've been screwing me. I need to gather information about them first. When I have it, I'll call you and tell you what you have to do," Glory explained, her gaze fixed on the ground as she nervously squeezed her right front hoof.

Shit!

The weight of Glory's words hung heavy in the air, suffocating me with their implications. Here I was, faced with a moral dilemma that I never thought I'd encounter. I've ended several lives before, but most were in self-defense. But me... being a contract killer? It felt like I was being asked to abandon my principles, to sacrifice my morals for the chance to salvage a friendship that was hanging by a thread. These questions spun in my mind like a downward spiral, pulling me deeper into uncertainty and despair.

"Is there no other way to solve this?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice as I searched for any alternative that didn't involve bloodshed.

"No, they can't stay alive. Weren't you listening to me?" Glory's tone was impatient, her frustration palpable. "Those ponies, they won't leave me alone. I'm not very good at fighting... I need more training. But something to admire about you is that you're a killing machine."

Glory's words hit me like a sucker punch, leaving me reeling. Was that really all she saw in me? A tool to be used for her own ends, devoid of any ponymity or compassion? I struggled to find a response, my gaze fixed on the ground, unable to meet her eyes.

"If to you I'm just a sexual object, then it's only fair that for me, you're a machine made to kill," Glory continued, her words cutting through me like a knife. It was a twisted reflection of our dynamic, a stark reminder of the darkness that lurked beneath the surface of our relationship. I may have asked her for sex on numerous occasions, and I may have slept with half the wasteland, but this... this was different. This was crossing a line that I wasn't sure I could come back from.

As the weight of Glory's request settled over me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of irony creeping in. Was this how she felt when I constantly pursued her for sex? Had the tables turned, leaving me feeling vulnerable and powerless in the face of her demands?

Glory seemed to sense my inner turmoil, her tone softening slightly as she acknowledged my hesitation. "If you won't do it, that's fine. I can find somepony else to do it for me."

But her words struck a chord deep within me, stirring up a fierce sense of determination. "No, wait!" I blurted out, desperation seeping into my voice. "I'll do it..." I muttered, my gaze falling to the ground as I made my decision. Sacrificing everything for Glory... it felt like the only option, the only way to avoid plunging back into the depths of loneliness.

I'm sorry, I whispered silently to myself, a pang of regret tugging at my heart. But the thought of returning to that empty, desolate existence was too much to bear. Whatever happens to me, I thought defiantly, nothing could be worse than being alone. No... never again.

Glory raised an eyebrow, tilting her head inquisitively. "Hmm? That didn't sound very convincing. Are you sure you're going to do this?"

"Anything to not be alone again," I confessed, my voice choked with sobs as I fought to maintain my composure in front of Glory.

I couldn't afford to let myself break down, not now. I refused to drown in my own sea of tears again.

NOOO!

If this is the only way, then so be it.

"Great," Glory responded impassively, her lack of emotion chilling me to the bone. "We'll keep in touch," she continued, her tone devoid of warmth or enthusiasm. It was as if she were discussing the weather, not the prospect of me becoming her hired killer.

Glory got up from her couch, her movements graceful yet distant. "I guess there's nothing more to discuss, so you can leave."

"Can't I stay a little longer?" I pleaded, hoping for some semblance of connection between us, perhaps a shared moment of comfort in each other's company.

But my hopes were dashed as Glory's response washed over me like a wave of cold indifference. "To be honest, I want to be alone for now. I have to clean the litter box and buy food for my kittens," she said, her voice devoid of warmth or invitation.

"Alright," I murmured, resigned to the fact that our interaction would be fleeting and superficial.

I mustered up the courage to take a step closer to her, my heart yearning for some form of affection, a kiss, a hug, anything to bridge the growing chasm between us.

But as I looked into her eyes, I saw no trace of the love we once shared, only a distant emptiness that mirrored my own.

"Won't we have a kiss? A hug?" I dared to ask, my voice trembling with vulnerability and longing.

Glory's response was swift and sharp, a reminder of the harsh reality that now defined our relationship. "Just a hug, but a kiss? Don't be confused, we're not there yet," she said, her words landing like a blow to my already wounded heart.

As the hug enveloped me, its embrace felt as cold as ice, lacking the warmth and depth I craved. Disappointed at the absence of deeper affection like a kiss, conflicting emotions surged within me. On one hoof, I found solace in the familiarity of Glory's presence, the sound of her voice, and the chance to reconnect with her, however fleeting it might be. But on the other hoof, the weight of my decision to become a contract killer gnawed at my conscience, casting a shadow over our reunion.

Yet, despite the turmoil swirling within me, I couldn't deny the bittersweet comfort of being close to my friend once more, even if it came at the cost of compromising my principles. Sometimes, the ache of loneliness outweighs the burden of moral compromise.

As we parted ways, our goodbye was brief and devoid of sentimentality. With a final nod, I turned away from Glory's house, feeling a pang of longing as I stared at the familiar facade. For a few fleeting seconds, I lingered, hoping against hope for a sign of hesitation from Glory, a glimmer of regret in her eyes. But as the moments passed, it became clear that our paths diverged once more.

With a heavy heart, I tore my gaze away and began to trot away, each step carrying me further from the fractured remnants of our friendship.

Chapter 6 - Negative Space

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Stardust steadied herself, her hooves echoing softly against the sterile floors of the hospital corridor. Two tasks loomed before her like ominous shadows, each bearing its own weight of urgency and dread.

The first was to scour the hospital's labyrinthine halls for the elusive medical supplies needed to save Lollipop's life. The second, more daunting still, was to unearth a means of escape from this forsaken place, if such a route existed at all.

But as she ventured forth, her mind was haunted by a specter of dread, a ghastly apparition of the corpse she had stumbled upon earlier. Its ghastly visage lingered in her thoughts like a relentless specter, a grim reminder of mortality's cold embrace.

"Why now..." Stardust murmured, her voice barely a whisper, as she squeezed her eyes shut against the chilling memory.

In her mind's eye, she envisioned the myriad ways in which her own demise could unfold, each more macabre than the last. The thought of falling prey to the hospital's sinister denizens or languishing in perpetual darkness filled her with a creeping sense of dread.

"I can't let Lollipop die..." Stardust's voice wavered, her words tinged with desperation. "But why must I endure such horrors? What sin have I committed to deserve this fate? All I seek is to aid those in need..."

The voices within Stardust's mind echoed her turmoil, their whispers a haunting chorus of anguish and uncertainty.

Stardust blinked back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes, mustering all the strength she could find to quell the rising tide of panic within her.

With a heavy heart, she ascended to the fifth floor, her hooves echoing hollowly in the desolate corridors. The absence of Iron Maidens prowling the lower levels offered a fragile glimmer of hope, but Stardust dared not indulge in false optimism.

As she traversed the dimly lit expanse of the fifth floor, an oppressive sense of solitude enveloped her like a suffocating shroud. It was a cruel irony that in a place teeming with lifelessness, Stardust found herself utterly alone, her only companion the cold steel of her SPAS-12 shotgun.

Using her telekinesis, she kept the weapon close at hoof, its reassuring weight offering a semblance of comfort amidst the encroaching darkness.

A sudden, chilling sound pierced the silence, causing Stardust's heart to lurch in her chest. "No, not another creature, please!" she pleaded silently, her steps quickening as she hastened towards the clinic in desperate pursuit of the much-needed supplies.

Every shadow seemed to loom menacingly, every corner harboring unseen threats. But Stardust pressed on, driven by a fierce determination to fulfill her mission and survive another hour in this unforgiving realm.

Stardust cautiously entered the clinic, her heart pounding in her chest as strange, unsettling sounds echoed through the halls, growing louder with each step she took.

With slow, deliberate steps, Stardust moved forward, her ears twitching at every creak and groan of the building. As she peered out into the hallway, her blood ran cold at the sight before her - a grotesque creature, a Hospital Horror, with tentacles writhing from its mouth and sinister red eyes piercing through the darkness.

The creature's grotesque form, devoid of fur and emanating a putrid stench, filled Stardust with a primal fear and revulsion, reminiscent of facing an Iron Maiden. But she knew she couldn't turn back - the supplies she needed lay beyond this abomination, tantalizingly out of reach.

"I must press on... for Lollipop," Stardust whispered to herself, her grip tightening on the SPAS-12 she had readied, her resolve steeling against the terror that threatened to overwhelm her.

With a heavy heart and trembling limbs, Stardust emerged from her hiding spot, confronting the Horror head-on. But before she could unleash her telekinetic attack, the creature's tentacles ensnared her neck, cutting off her scream of defiance.

"Fuck! NOOO!" Stardust cried out, her body wracked with terror as the creature's vile appendages violated her, seeking to implant its eggs within her. The sensation was unbearable, her cries of anguish lost amidst the echoes of the clinic.

Her vagina, once untouched, was now subjected to the invasive assault of the Horror's tentacles, sending waves of agony and revulsion coursing through her body.

"NOOOOO PLEASE!" Desperate to escape the creature's grasp, Stardust kicked and struggled, tears streaming down her cheeks as she fought against the invasive assault on her body.

"Get the fuck off me, you disgusting piece of shit!" she pleaded, her voice filled with desperation and horror, her hind hooves clenching tightly to shield her exposed vagina from further violation.

But the Horror showed no mercy, its relentless assault driving Stardust to the brink of despair. With a surge of rage and determination, she summoned the SPAS-12 with her magic, unleashing a barrage of gunfire that tore through the creature's grotesque form, freeing herself from its grasp.

With trembling hooves, Stardust seized the tweezers she had come for and fled the clinic, leaving behind the dying Horror and the suffocating stench of death. As she closed the door behind her, she gasped for breath, her entire body trembling with the trauma of her ordeal.

"I can't believe it..." Stardust muttered through tears, her voice trembling with a mix of shock and anguish.

"That was...horrible. That bloody thing...touched me, and I...I nearly peed on meself," she confessed, her words choked with frustration, fear, and shame as she huddled in a corner, her body still shaking from the ordeal.

"I've got to...try to forget this," Stardust murmured, her gaze falling reluctantly to her private parts. The memory of the Hospital Horror's violation, marked by the repulsive fluids staining her jumpsuit, served as a cruel reminder of the trauma she had endured.

As she sat there, lost in her thoughts, Stardust couldn't shake the feeling of disgust and dread that lingered within her, knowing that this experience would haunt her for a long time to come.

Stardust remained seated, her mind swirling with the aftermath of the traumatic encounter. The weight of her experiences bore down on her, threatening to suffocate her in a sea of despair.

"Why does this shite have to happen to me NOW?" Stardust muttered, her voice heavy with anguish, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "Not only do I hear voices, I'm trapped in bloody space, I fight these disturbing creatures, and now... now I've been raped..."

The words caught in her throat, a lump forming as she struggled to vocalize the unspeakable horror she had endured.

"I can't... I can't tell anypony about this," Stardust whispered, her voice barely above a whisper, her heart heavy with shame and embarrassment. "Nopony should know... I'm sorry, Mum, Dad, Violet... this is so bloody humiliating..."

With a trembling hoof, Stardust squeezed her eyes shut, the weight of her secrets pressing down on her like a crushing weight. Alone in her agony, she wished for nothing more than to erase the memory of her ordeal and bury it deep within the recesses of her mind.

"I'll just sit 'ere for a while before continuin'," Stardust muttered to herself, her hoof pressed against her throbbing head as she sank into a weary stupor.

With a flick of her magic, Stardust brought her SPAS-12 closer, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the unfamiliar weapon. It was her first time handling such a shotgun, and she felt a mixture of apprehension and determination swirling within her.

"Fight to forget it, Stardust, you 'ave to... fight," she murmured, her voice tinged with resignation as she inspected the shotgun. Her gaze settled on the forend, a component she couldn't quite decipher.

"I wonder what this is for?" Stardust pondered aloud, her brow furrowing in confusion as she floated the SPAS-12 away from her, hesitant to manipulate the unknown mechanism without proper understanding.

Gently, she began to manipulate the fore-end with her telekinesis, her movements slow and deliberate as she sought to unravel its purpose. With each subtle adjustment, she observed how the shotgun responded, noting the subtle movements and mechanisms at play.

As she experimented, Stardust's attention was drawn to the ejection port, where she noticed only a single cartridge had been expelled. It was a small detail, but it hinted at the intricate workings of the weapon, prompting her to delve deeper into its inner workings.

"Will I 'ave to move this thing every time I fire, or will there be a specific number of times before I move the mechanism again?" Stardust pondered silently in her mind, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty. "I'll 'ave to find out when I face another creature. The wisest thing would be not to waste ammunition," she concluded, her voice filled with a sense of pragmatic determination as she contemplated her next moves.

"I feel like it's been hours since I last saw the sun," Stardust remarked, her gaze flicking left and right as she surveyed her dim surroundings. The oppressive darkness of the hospital weighed heavily upon her, casting a pall over her senses and fueling her growing sense of unease.

"If I stay in this blasted hospital, I'll end up goin' bloody crazy. I've been talkin' to meself since I came 'ere," Stardust muttered, her frustration mounting as she rose to her hooves, steeling herself for the daunting task of continuing her exploration. With a weary sigh, she pushed aside her fears and doubts, determined to forge ahead and confront the horrors.

As Stardust pressed forward, her hooves trembling with each step, she couldn't shake the overwhelming intensity of her emotions. Never before had she experienced such raw fear and determination.

"Lollipop was bleedin' right... the wasteland ain't no place for the faint of 'eart," Stardust muttered to herself, her voice quivering with a mix of trepidation and resolve as she trotted towards the staircase leading to the top floor.

Upon reaching the sixth floor, Stardust found herself yearning for the comforting embrace of the bandages she sought, the final medical item she needed before she could even begin to contemplate her return to Equestria.

"I 'ope I never lay eyes on those sons of bitches again," Stardust spat out bitterly, her voice laced with a potent mixture of shame and anger as the memories of her traumatic encounter continued to torment her.

As she reached the sixth floor, Stardust's gaze fell upon the familiar 'Noisia Life' logo, its ominous green and black letters looming large on the hallway wall. The sight sent a shiver down her spine, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked within the desolate corridors of the hospital.

"That logo again..." Stardust muttered, her gaze lingering on the Noisia Life emblem plastered on the wall. Despite the sinister aura of the place, the presence of the logo still gave the impression of a respectable company in the medical field.

Nevertheless, Stardust proceeded with caution, retracing her steps through the familiar routine of entering the clinic on the sixth floor. Her heart pounded in her chest as she prayed silently that she wouldn't encounter those vile creatures again.

"Whatever's inside, I bloody well 'ope it's not those tossers again," Stardust whispered to herself, her hooves moving unsteadily as she made her way towards the clinic, the sound of her breaths the only thing breaking the eerie silence.

As she stepped inside the clinic, Stardust's senses were on high alert, her ears twitching at the slightest noise, her eyes scanning the room frantically in search of any sign of danger. The memories of her encounter with the Horror Hospital weighed heavily on her mind, each recollection striking her like a hammer blow.

"Every time I look out that window, it's like starin' into the abyss, reckonin' I'll never make it back to Equestria, doomed to rot away 'ere alone," Stardust murmured, her gaze fixed on the window to her left, the vast expanse of space beyond serving as a harsh reminder of her isolation.

"I never thought I'd 'ave thoughts like this... it's all so much to process, and it's only me first day in this blasted wasteland," she continued, her voice heavy with despair as she cast her eyes downward, the weight of her situation bearing down on her like a suffocating blanket.

"Suicidal thoughts, please... just stay the fuck out of me mind," Stardust pleaded, her voice trembling with the effort to maintain her sanity amidst the chaos of her thoughts.

Her determination wavered like a flickering flame, her emotions swirling in a turbulent sea of uncertainty and fear. She couldn't help but question the worth of her continued struggle, weighed down by the constant emotional and physical risks she faced with each passing moment. Yet, despite it all, she found herself still clinging to life, a fragile thread of hope in the darkness that threatened to consume her whole.

Stardust froze in her tracks, a shiver coursing through her body as vivid, haunting images flooded her mind. She could almost feel the tentacles ripping open her jumpsuit, invading her most intimate places with their vile, invasive touch.

"NOOOOO!" she screamed, her voice raw with agony as she clutched at her head, her hooves trembling with the weight of her suffering.

"LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU FREAKIN' ARSEHOLE!" Stardust's words were laced with desperation and fury as she sank to her knees, the echoes of her own torment reverberating in the emptiness of the clinic.

Her mind was a battleground, a twisted arena where the horrors of the Hospital Horror played out in gruesome detail. The memory of the creature's tentacles violating her, injecting its repulsive yellow liquid into her belly, left Stardust reeling with a cocktail of pain, shame, grief, fear, and rage.

"Why does this 'ave to 'appen to me?" she whimpered, her voice choked with anguish as she felt the bile rise in her throat. Each retelling of the nightmare only served to deepen the wounds in her soul, leaving her feeling more broken and alone than ever before.

"I think I'm going to..." Stardust's body convulsed uncontrollably as she struggled to contain the rising tide of nausea, her throat burning with bile as she fought against the urge to vomit. With a desperate gasp, she attempted to cover her mouth with her right front hoof, hoping to stifle the retching, but her efforts were in vain.

A guttural sound escaped her lips as her stomach rebelled against her, the acidic contents surging forth in a violent torrent. The vomit spewed from her mouth in a sickening spray, the putrid smell filling the air as it splattered across the floor in a repulsive display.

Stardust's entire body shook with the force of her heaving, her muscles straining with the effort as wave after wave of sickness wracked her frail form. Tears mingled with the vomit on her cheeks as she fought against the overwhelming sense of shame and humiliation that threatened to engulf her.

It was the second time she had emptied her stomach that day, but the feeling of vulnerability and degradation only intensified with each retch. As she knelt there, her body trembling and her heart heavy with despair, Stardust couldn't help but feel utterly alone in her suffering, the sight of her own bodily fluids staining the floor serving as a cruel reminder of her own fragility.

"Seems like I'm doomed to suffer this humiliation over and over," Stardust murmured, her voice thick with shame and self-loathing as she grappled with the aftermath of her second visceral reaction.

"This pain... it's like a fire inside me, consuming me," Stardust continued, her hoof pressing against her chest where her heart beat frantically, a relentless drumming that echoed her inner turmoil.

The specter of madness loomed ever closer, threatening to engulf Stardust in its suffocating embrace. The image of her own demise, a shotgun pressed against her temple, flickered in her mind's eye, tempting her with the promise of escape.

"I won't... I won't succumb to that," Stardust declared, her voice trembling with a mixture of defiance and despair. "There are still ponies who love me, and a life that's worth living... I won't throw it all away."

Frustration boiled within her, mingling with the despair that threatened to consume her whole. "Damn it... my own mind has become my enemy," she spat out bitterly, her words echoing in the empty confines of the hospital. "It's toying with me, driving me to the brink of madness."

With each passing moment, Stardust felt herself teetering on the edge of sanity, her grip on reality slipping like sand through her hooves. "I've had enough of driftin' through this empty void," she declared, her voice growing louder with each word. "I refuse to be a pawn in this twisted game any longer!"

No matter how hard Stardust tried to salvage a glimmer of positivity from the abyss that surrounded her, it remained an elusive dream. Every step she took through the desolate hallways of the clinic served as a grim reminder of the relentless string of misfortunes that had plagued her since she first set hoof within its walls.

With a heavy heart, Stardust moved away from the vomit that stained the floor, a macabre testament to her suffering that she desperately wished to erase from her mind.

"What if I just... forget about the bandages and focus on gettin' the hell outta here?" Stardust pondered aloud, her front hooves nervously bumping together as she weighed her options.

"But... but if Lollipop asked for 'em, it must mean they're important for 'er healin' process," she mused, her brow furrowing with indecision. "But I can't stay 'ere any longer... I need to go back to Equestria!"

The passage of time seemed to stretch on endlessly, each moment feeling like an eternity trapped within the suffocating confines of the hospital. Stardust's heart clenched with fear at the thought of Lollipop's fate resting in her hooves, the weight of that responsibility bearing down on her like a leaden weight.

"I feel like I've been trapped 'ere for years... I don't know 'ow much longer I can bear it," Stardust admitted, her voice trembling with uncertainty as she surveyed her surroundings, her senses still on high alert for any potential threat that lurked in the shadows.

As Stardust scoured every inch of the clinic in search of the bandages she so desperately needed, her frustration reached a boiling point. Each drawer she opened revealed nothing but dirty or used supplies, each hallway she traversed echoed with the stench of death and decay. With a growl of frustration, she pounded the floor with her left front hoof, the sound reverberating through the empty corridors as she checked every nook and cranny in vain.

"I've searched every bleedin' floor... I've got the painkillers and tweezers, but where in Tartarus are the damn bandages?" Stardust grumbled, her voice tinged with anger and despair as she turned her gaze towards the window.

Through the glass, she could see the otherworldly version of the Hospital, its structure composed entirely of Rubik's cubes. The sight filled her with a sense of dread and frustration, knowing that she might have to venture there to find what she sought. But how? She had no special suit, no clear path to traverse the surreal landscape beyond.

The stress of the situation weighed heavily on Stardust as she sank into a nearby seat, her hooves pressed against her throbbing head. Her gaze fell upon her SPAS-12, a twisted temptation lurking in the recesses of her mind.

"Should I... do it?" Stardust murmured, her thoughts spiraling into darkness as she imagined the horrific scene unfolding before her.

In her mind's eye, she saw herself raising the shotgun to her temple, the deafening roar of the blast ringing in her ears as her head exploded into a thousand fragments. The grotesque image of her parents' grief flashed before her, their faces twisted with anguish as they mourned the loss of their daughter.

Unable to bear the weight of her own turmoil, Stardust collapsed to the ground, her body trembling with the intensity of her emotions. "GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" she screamed, her voice echoing in the empty clinic as she thrashed from side to side, consumed by the torment of her own thoughts.

"I bloody well can't do that! NOOOOO!" Stardust roared, her hind hooves lashing out violently as she fought against the intrusive thoughts that plagued her mind.

Gradually, the horrifying images began to fade, replaced by a semblance of clarity as Stardust clawed her way back from the brink of madness. She allowed herself to release the floodgates of her pent-up emotions, uncaring of any potential observers. All she needed was to purge herself of the overwhelming despair that threatened to consume her whole.

"WHAT ELSE 'as to 'appen to me in this fuckin' place?" Stardust cried out, her voice raw with anguish as she pounded the ground beneath her with her hooves. "I was almost impaled, I was raped, and I still can't bloody well find the last thing I need!"

Her words echoed through the empty halls of the clinic, a desperate plea for relief from the relentless onslaught of suffering that seemed to follow her at every turn. But even as she screamed into the void, a part of her clung stubbornly to the flickering flame of hope, refusing to be extinguished by the darkness that threatened to engulf her.

"And it's just... it's me first day in this bleedin' wasteland," Stardust muttered, the weight of her despair heavy upon her as she sighed heavily.

"I swear on me life, if I ever get outta this alive, I'll never step hoof in a fuckin' hospital again," she declared, her frustration palpable as she cast a weary gaze around the blood-stained walls of the clinic. The sterile whiteness seemed to mock her, a cruel reminder of the horrors she had endured within its confines.

With a determined grimace, Stardust pushed herself upright, her body trembling with exhaustion and resolve. "I'm gonna press on with this fuckin' mess... there's gotta be some way to get to that other hospital," she muttered under her breath, her voice barely more than a whisper as she made her unsteady way towards the exit of the clinic.

Stardust trotted unsteadily, her hooves tracing the contours of the walls as she moved, the burden of her emotions weighing upon her like leaden blocks.

With a heavy heart, she turned right, her gaze fixed on the hallway adorned with the ominous Noisia Life logo. "I'll suss out this area, see what I can find," she muttered to herself, her determination to escape this hospital and return to Equestria burning fiercely within her.

Taking a deep breath, Stardust veered left into the darkness that engulfed the hallway. With no windows to illuminate the path ahead, she had to rely solely on her magic to cast light into the shadows. Each step she took felt like a plunge into the unknown, the oppressive darkness pressing in on her from all sides.

Stardust's ears twitched instinctively at the strange sound that pierced the eerie silence of the hallway.

"Another bloody mutation?!" Stardust exclaimed, her heart pounding in her chest as she took a cautious step backward.

The sound didn't resemble the familiar cadence of hoofsteps or grunts; instead, it was the ominous noise of an object in motion.

With trembling hooves, Stardust raised her SPAS-12, its barrel trained on the source of the sound, her nerves wound tight with tension.

Her breaths came in ragged gasps as the sound grew louder, drawing nearer with each passing moment, sending shivers of fear down her spine.

To her astonishment, several toy blocks came into view, rolling across the floor towards her with an unnatural sense of purpose. As they drew closer, four blocks arranged themselves to form the word 'Hell'.

"What in Tartarus is goin' on? Now even inanimate objects are movin' on their own... it's like I'm trapped in some twisted nightmare," Stardust muttered, her voice tinged with fear and disbelief.

Refusing to let her terror consume her, Stardust pressed on, keeping close to the wall as she continued her journey through the darkened hallway, determined to avoid any further encounters with the unsettling phenomena that plagued this accursed place.

"I suppose I ought to get used to these bizarre occurrences in this bloody hospital," Stardust murmured, her voice heavy with resignation as she let out a weary sigh. "But I can't bloody well tell which ones are gonna hurt me, or if I'm just hallucinatin'... Ahg! It's all so confusin'."

"I reckon it's best not to take any risks. If I try to make a dash for the window, I might end up meetin' me maker," Stardust reasoned, her gaze drifting towards the distant glimmer of the outside world beyond the glass. "It's probably best not to dwell on it."

Contemplating her options, Stardust felt a sense of unease settle in the pit of her stomach. She had already encountered one terrifying event after another, each one more harrowing than the last. The thought of being stranded in space weighed heavily on her mind, but she couldn't shake the lingering fear of the unknown. The notion of objects moving of their own accord filled her with a deep sense of disquiet, leaving her head swirling with unanswered questions about what other inexplicable phenomena awaited her in this twisted realm.

Stardust trotted through the silent and murky hallways, her hooves echoing softly against the cold floor as she made her way towards the personnel security room.

"Maybe I can lay me 'ooves on somethin' that'll 'elp me get to that other bleedin' hospital made of cubes," Stardust mused, coming to a halt to ponder her next move. "If I manage to get there, maybe I'll be able to scrounge up the bandages I need. I've already turned every ruddy clinic inside out on every floor, but no luck. The mental clinics and substance control, they ain't gonna do me any good, I reckon."

With her trusty SPAS-12 at her side, Stardust pressed on, her senses sharp and alert for any potential danger lurking in the shadows.

At that moment, she made a conscious effort to avoid glancing out the window, despite the allure of the wondrous expanse of space beyond. The mere thought of it sent a shiver down her spine, filling her with a sense of unease and despair at the prospect of being stranded in this forsaken place, unable to find her way back to Equestria.

"Gettin' to the other side ain't gonna be a walk in the park, that's for sure. I ain't got a bleedin' clue what it's like to be floatin' in space, but it gives me the bloody jitters just thinkin' about it. Feels like I could fall into a void at any bleedin' moment," Stardust muttered, her voice tinged with trepidation as she grappled with the overwhelming uncertainty of her predicament.

Stardust proceeded with utmost caution, her senses on high alert as she navigated the dark corridors of the hospital. With each step, she pressed herself against the wall, moving slowly and silently to avoid attracting any unwanted attention.

As she advanced, Stardust kept a keen ear out for any unusual sounds, her heart pounding in her chest with apprehension. Despite the eerie silence that enveloped the halls, she remained vigilant, knowing all too well the unpredictable nature of the hospital.

"So far, ain't 'eard anythin' out of the ordinary. All I can 'ear is me own bleedin' breath," Stardust murmured to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. "Guess I'll just keep pressin' on."

With a determined stride, Stardust quickened her pace, her hooves echoing softly against the cold floor as she made her way towards the personnel security room. Upon reaching her destination, she carefully pushed the door open, ensuring to close it behind her with the utmost care.

As Stardust delved into the room, the familiar sound of static filled the air once more.

"Bloody annoying noise," Stardust muttered under her breath, her senses on high alert as she scanned the room. She couldn't shake off the unease brought on by the mysterious voices echoing through the hospital.

"Hey, dear, fancy a trip to the amusement park this weekend? We could have a right laugh," came the voice of a young stallion, his tone brimming with excitement.

"Don't call me 'dear,' and I'm not interested in going to the park," replied a young mare voice, tinged with uncertainty.

"Why not? Did I do something wrong?" The male voice shifted quickly to confusion.

"It's just... I don't want to be with you anymore," the female voice replied, her words heavy with the weight of her decision.

"What? But... we've been together for two years! We've talked about our future, getting married, having foals... Why the sudden change?" The male voice sounded bewildered and frustrated.

"It's just not the same anymore. For the past month, I've felt... uncomfortable being with you," the female voice explained, her resolve firm.

Stardust listened to the exchange, her heart heavy with empathy for the pain unfolding in the conversation. She continued to explore the empty rooms, her eyes averting from the bloodstained walls and the lifeless bodies of security guards. They offered no help, their ammunition long depleted.

"Love's a right mess, ain't it? 'Earing this only makes it bleedin' worse. There's bugger all I can do, and even if I could, reckon it wouldn't make much difference," Stardust mumbled to herself, her steps slowing as she pondered the complexities of relationships and the pain of heartbreak.

As Stardust listened to the tumultuous exchange between the unseen couple, she felt a pang of sadness and empathy for their plight.

"Now I get it, now I see it. You meet some fancy classmate with rich parents, that's the only explanation. Can't figure out why else you'd dump me. I've always been faithful, always had your back," the young stallion's voice dripped with frustration.

"No, it's not like that. When we got together, I felt like I had to say yes," the young mare's voice quivered with regret.

"Don't give me that! You could've just said no from the start! Would've been better than wasting my time. You're a damn bitch!" The stallion's anger boiled over, his voice rising in fury.

"Don't talk to me like that! I'm not some whore!" The mare's voice cracked with a mix of anger and hurt.

"Oh, but you are. All you care about is money. I was just your emotional crutch until you found somepony better," the stallion's voice echoed with bitterness as he paced around the room.

"That's not true! Just because I don't want to be with you anymore doesn't mean I used you. I know I shouldn't have said yes, but I couldn't go on like this. I knew you'd react like this," the mare's sobs punctuated her words.

"And that's why I'm pissed at you for making that stupid decision. Get out of my damn house. Never want to see your face again. You're just like all the others, using me for your own gain," the stallion's voice trembled with anger as he ordered her to leave.

"You're so heartless!" The mare's voice cracked as she fled the scene, the slam of a door echoing through the room.

"Just 'cause you're sensitive don't mean you get to treat me like garbage," the stallion muttered to himself, the creak of a chair suggesting he sank into it, contemplating the aftermath of their heated confrontation.

The sound of a door creaking open and then slamming shut echoed through the room.

"Here we go again, loneliness and isolation," the stallion muttered, almost as if addressing them as companions.

"I guess you two will be sticking around until the day I kick the bucket," he added, his tone feigning cheerfulness.

"It's been this way since puberty hit, you've been by my side for years. You could say... you're a part of me," the stallion's voice trailed off, his words tinged with resignation.

Stardust wiped away her tears, feeling a pang of sympathy for the stallion's plight. She couldn't interact with voices like he did, but she understood the pain and complexity of relationships.

"I've never experienced love myself, but I hope I never have to endure something like that," Stardust said, dabbing her eyes with her left front hoof.

Stardust stumbled upon a room containing four anti-radiation suits. The vibrant orange and black attire bore two rockets on the wearer's back, presumably for navigating through radioactive zones. Adorning the flank of each suit was the 'NL' acronym in bold black letters.

"This gear should help me reach the other hospital," Stardust muttered to herself, eyeing the suits with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The thought of colliding with a meteorite and shattering the helmet glass sent shivers down her spine. It was a chilling reminder of the perilous journey that lay ahead.

"I'll have to take it slow... flying with these rockets is uncharted territory for me," Stardust reasoned aloud, her voice tinged with uncertainty. With a trembling hoof, she began to don the suit, each movement weighed down by the weight of impending danger.

"This suit's a bloody relief... ain't felt safe in... ages," Stardust muttered, her voice muffled slightly by the helmet. The sensation of protection offered her a rare moment of solace, a respite from the constant dread that had haunted her for what seemed like an eternity.

"But I ain't lettin' my guard down, not with those spikey bastards and those bloody rapist lurkin' about," she added, her tone firm with determination, even as her hooves trembled beneath her.

As the suit's interface finished loading, Stardust's gaze flickered to the display. 'Radiation: 0%,' read the left indicator, a reassuring sign that the suit was functioning as intended. On the right, 'Rockets: 98%,' warned of the limited fuel supply for the rockets.

"Ugh, bloody hell... Spike ones again," Stardust grumbled, her lip curling in disgust as she eyed the puddle of saliva on the ground. With a shudder, she quickened her pace, eager to put as much distance between herself and those grotesque creatures as possible.

"Right, gotta move, sharpish," she muttered to herself, breaking into a brisk trot as she made her way toward the roof. The thought of encountering another Iron Maiden sent a shiver down her spine, and she was determined to avoid such a confrontation at all costs.

"They're craftier than I gave 'em credit for, those buggers," Stardust remarked as she ascended the stairs, her breaths coming in short, anxious gasps.

Upon reaching the door to the roof, Stardust hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. "Once I step through this door, I'll be floatin' in space... low gravity an' all," she mused aloud, her voice tinged with apprehension. "Gotta keep meself from lookin' down, don't wanna send meself into a right panic." With trembling hooves, she pushed the door open slowly, steeling herself for the daunting expanse that awaited her beyond.

As Stardust pushed open the door, she was met with a rush of air, the anti-radiation suit clinging tightly to her body and anchoring her to the ceiling of the hospital. With cautious steps, she ventured out onto the roof, her gaze fixed on the distant structure of the hospital made of Rubik's cubes. However, her path was fraught with peril, as she had to navigate through the debris of meteorites that floated ominously in her path.

Stardust's eyes widened as she took in the surreal sight before her. "This 'as to be a bleedin' dream, it's too mad to be real," she muttered to herself, her disbelief palpable in her trembling voice. Despite the hardships she had endured, she struggled to come to terms with the bizarre reality she now found herself in.

With a heavy heart, Stardust contemplated her dwindling options. "When I finally get me hooves on them bandages, I'll need to figure out a way back to Equestria... but 'ow? It's a ruddy puzzle," she pondered aloud, her thoughts laced with frustration and desperation.The prospect of being stranded in this desolate wasteland gnawed at her, leaving her feeling hopeless and lost.

Summoning her resolve, Stardust reached out with a shaky hoof and pressed the button on her chest, activating the rockets in her suit. As she began her ascent into space, she couldn't shake the nagging fear that she might never find her way home.

As Stardust slowly floated through the emptiness of space, she made a conscious effort to avert her gaze from the abyss below, a void so deep and dark it seemed to swallow all light. Despite knowing she couldn't fall, the sensation of vertigo still gnawed at her, a lingering fear she couldn't shake.

"I'm... I'm right scared," Stardust muttered to herself, her voice trembling with apprehension as she maneuvered to avoid the oncoming barrage of meteorites.

Meteorites of varying sizes hurtled towards her from every direction, some veering in from the sides while others barreled straight ahead. Stardust, maintaining a cautious pace, deftly steered clear of each impending collision.

With the vast expanse of space stretching endlessly around her, Stardust couldn't help but be consumed by thoughts of her loved ones back in Equestria.

"Mum, dad, Violet, Lollipop... I'll do whatever it takes to find my way back to ya. And if I don't... if I don't make it, I hope ya all remember me," Stardust murmured, her voice choked with emotion as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Yet, even amidst her turmoil, she pressed on, determined to defy the odds and return home.

Stardust couldn't shake the feeling of unease as she neared the hospital, noticing a peculiar shift in its appearance. One of the floors began to morph, its colors aligning perfectly with an original Rubik's cube pattern, as if the hospital itself was reacting to her approach.

"It's like... like it knows I'm comin' closer," Stardust murmured, her body trembling involuntarily with fear at the thought of what awaited her inside.

Despite the suit still boasting a fuel reserve of 78%, Stardust felt a sudden urgency to hasten her journey. "The fuel's droppin' quicker than I thought... gotta pick up the pace," she muttered, pushing the rockets to propel her forward with greater speed.

As she soared through space, a swarm of meteorites congregated in her path, forcing Stardust to maneuver deftly to avoid collision. With a sharp twist, she narrowly avoided one hurtling downwards, only to find another looming perilously close behind. "Bugger!" Stardust exclaimed, bringing her hooves together in a desperate bid to brake and swerve, narrowly avoiding a catastrophic collision that could have shattered the glass of her suit.

Finally, as she drew near the hospital made of cubes, its exterior transformed into a perfect replica of the iconic Rubik's cube, leaving Stardust utterly bewildered. "What in the blazes am I gonna find in there?" she muttered to herself, her voice tinged with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.

As Stardust ventured deeper into the hospital, she found herself surrounded by a surreal landscape of Rubik's cube-like structures. Every inch of the building, from the outer walls to the furnishings within, had been transformed into intricately patterned cubes, creating a disorienting and unsettling environment.

"What a bloody mess... can't make heads or tails of this place," Stardust muttered, her unease palpable as she navigated the maze-like corridors. With her SPAS-12 at the ready, she remained vigilant, fully aware that danger could lurk around any corner.

Descending to the sixth floor, Stardust found herself confronted with a sight that bordered on the absurd. Every object in sight, from the drawers to the seats and walls, had been molded into perfect cubes, each adorned with a riot of colors. It was as if she had stumbled into a bizarre, cubist dreamscape.

"I hope to Celestia the bandages ain't bloody cubes too, 'cause that'd be a right sodding mess," Stardust grumbled, pressing on towards the clinic on the sixth floor, her determination to find the elusive medical supplies unwavering despite the surreal surroundings.

As Stardust made her way through the winding hallways towards the clinic, a chilling sound pierced the air—the unmistakable, guttural growl of an Iron Maiden.

"Oh, bloody hell, not these bastards again," Stardust muttered, her hooves trembling as she instinctively took a step back.

The sound seemed to emanate from one of the branching hallways, leaving Stardust torn between her desire to reach the clinic and her fear of encountering the menacing creature.

"Bollocks... if I head into the clinic, it'll likely follow me, and then I'll be cornered," Stardust reasoned, her grip tightening on her SPAS-12.

Suddenly, the source of the noise emerged from one of the corridors—a grotesque Iron Maiden, its spiked form a stark contrast against the Rubik's cube surroundings.

"What in Tartarus..." Stardust exclaimed, her voice a mixture of disbelief and dread at the surreal sight before her.

Stardust opted to wait for the Iron Maiden to draw closer, but its grotesque appearance sent shivers down her spine, prompting her to act impulsively. With a surge of magic, she squeezed the trigger of her SPAS-12 sooner than planned.

As the bullets struck the Rubik's cube creature, it didn't bleed or ooze any foul liquid. Instead, it erupted into a cascade of multicolored cubes, scattering across the floor like shattered glass. The cacophony of their clattering echoed through the hallway, creating an eerie ambiance.

One of the Iron Maiden's front hooves was obliterated by the barrage of bullets, leaving behind a mess of fragmented cubes in its wake.

Frustration surged within Stardust as she attempted to fire her shotgun again, unaware that she needed to cycle the fore-end to chamber another round.

"Bloody hell! Why won't it fire? Blast it, this bloody shotgun!" Stardust cursed, repeatedly pressing the trigger to no avail.

Stardust repeatedly pulled the trigger of her shotgun to no avail, frustration building with each failed attempt. With a quick flick of her telekinesis, she retrieved her Combat Master Alpha and VP70 pistols.

As the Iron Maiden crept closer, its grotesque form contorted and twisted, the absence of one hoof doing little to impede its relentless advance. Stardust unleashed a barrage of shots in a desperate attempt to fend off the abomination.

"Bugger off, you bloody twat!" Stardust yelled, her voice trembling with fear and anger as she avoided making eye contact with the creature.

Despite her onslaught, the Iron Maiden persisted, lunging forward in a bid to sink its teeth into Stardust's neck. With a swift sidestep, Stardust narrowly evaded the attack, her heart pounding with adrenaline.

"Damn it all! Why won't this bloody thing die?" Stardust cursed, her back pressed against the wall as she continued to unload rounds into the relentless creature.

Stardust's frustration grew as she witnessed the seemingly unstoppable resilience of the Iron Maiden. Despite expending a full two-gun magazine on the creature, it continued to advance, seemingly unfazed by the onslaught.

"Bloody hell, I've emptied both barrels into this bugger and it's still kicking!" Stardust exclaimed, her voice tinged with a mixture of desperation and rage.

With a swift motion, she used her telekinesis to reload both weapons, the metallic click of the bullets sliding into place echoing through the hallway.

"I'll have to keep shooting, even if it's just to slow the fucktwit down," Stardust muttered grimly, leveling both guns at the Iron Maiden once more.

She squeezed the triggers, the recoil reverberating through her hooves as she unleashed a barrage of bullets upon the creature. Each shot landed with a sickening thud, causing the Iron Maiden to stagger slightly with each impact.

Stardust swiftly stowed her pistols away in her bag, opting instead to rely on her trusty SPAS-12 for the next encounter. As she ran towards the clinic, she couldn't shake off the nagging feeling of unease caused by her shotgun's sudden malfunction.

"Seems odd... I don't reckon it's busted, but why'd it go kaput like that?" Stardust muttered to herself, her brow furrowed in confusion as she briefly inspected the weapon.

Recalling the mechanics of the shotgun, she tentatively manipulated the fore-end, ejecting a spent shell in the process. "Maybe tweaking this bit'll sort it out? Blimey, I'm no gunsmith," she mumbled, uncertainty creeping into her voice.

With her shotgun seemingly operational again, Stardust resumed her search for bandages within the clinic. However, the maze-like structure of the Rubik's cube hospital made navigation a daunting task, and she found herself retracing her steps more than once.

"Bloody hell, this place is giving me a proper headache," Stardust grumbled, frustration mounting as she scoured each room to no avail.

Realizing that she might have better luck on the fifth floor, Stardust made her way out of the clinic, determined to press on in her search for the elusive bandages.

Stardust, upon exiting the clinic, noticed the Iron Maiden had regenerated its hoof and was poised to pursue her once more.

"Ain't wasting any more bullets on you, you bloody piece of shite!" Stardust exclaimed, hastening her trot towards the stairs.

The Iron Maiden lurked in the hallway, its presence looming ominously as Stardust made her escape.

Yet, her troubles didn't end there. As she approached the stairs, Stardust encountered a disturbing sight—a crimson tide of liquid pooling across the floor, blocking her path. The viscous substance seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see, forcing Stardust to confront an unsettling decision.

"What in the bloody hell is this?" Stardust recoiled in disgust, her stomach churning at the sight.

"I pray it ain't what I reckon it is," she muttered apprehensively, tentatively dipping her hooves into the pool of red liquid.

"Bugger me, that's ruddy disgusting. Can't believe I'm wadin' through this bloody mess," Stardust grimaced, her concern growing as she weighed her options. If she lingered too long contemplating her next move, the Iron Maiden would undoubtedly close in on her once more.

"Bugger it all, here goes nothin'!" Stardust exclaimed, steeling herself before plunging into the crimson sea.

As she submerged herself, the world around her was engulfed in a murky red haze, obscuring her vision and adding to her sense of disorientation.

Straining to see, Stardust fumbled for a way to illuminate her surroundings, her hooves searching desperately for any semblance of a flashlight or light source.

Spotting a small button near the rocket controls, Stardust pressed it, causing a dim light to flicker to life, casting feeble beams across the liquid expanse.

Navigating through the flooded fifth floor, Stardust encountered floating hospital furniture and debris, each obstacle a potential threat to the fragile crystal of her suit.

"I need to tread carefully, can't afford to let this bloody thing crack and let this liquid in," Stardust muttered to herself, her movements cautious and deliberate as she made her way towards the clinic.

Amidst the eerie silence of the submerged hospital, Stardust was unsettled by the distant rumblings and tremors that reverberated through the structure, akin to the earth itself groaning in protest.

"What in blazes is goin' on?" Stardust wondered aloud, her anxiety mounting as she struggled to comprehend the unsettling phenomenon unfolding around her. Desperate to reach the clinic and find the bandages she sought.

As Stardust continued to swim through the confined space of the clinic, her movements were cautious and deliberate, every stroke calculated to avoid any potential hazards lurking beneath the surface of the crimson tide.

"This bloody red liquid makes me skin crawl," Stardust muttered with a shudder of revulsion, her mind recoiling from the grotesque reality of the menstruation-filled ocean she found herself submerged in. The mere thought of its origin sent a shiver down her spine, and she pushed the disturbing notion aside, focusing instead on reaching her destination as swiftly as possible.

Navigating through the cramped confines of the hallway, Stardust propelled herself forward with determined strokes, her senses on high alert for any sign of danger lurking in the murky depths. Each passing moment felt like an eternity as she pushed through the oppressive silence, the only sound the rhythmic sloshing of the liquid against her suit.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Stardust reached the end of the hallway, her heart pounding with a mixture of relief and dread at what lay ahead.

Stardust stood frozen in terror as she beheld the grotesque sight before her: a Fetus Ghoul, its malformed form looming ominously in the cramped confines of the clinic hallway. The creature's rotten, decaying flesh hung loosely from its skeletal frame, its malformed limbs twitching spasmodically as it emitted a low, guttural whine that sent shivers down Stardust's spine.

The stench of decay filled the air, thick and suffocating, as the Fetus Ghoul's malformed hooves scraped against the blood-soaked floor, sending ripples through the crimson tide that surrounded it. Its umbilical cord, twisted and mangled, dangled limply from its bloated abdomen, a grim reminder of the creature's grotesque origins.

Stardust's heart raced with fear as she realized the danger she was facing. Fetus Ghouls were notorious for their savage aggression and monstrous strength, and this one was no exception. With a primal instinct honed by its twisted mutation, the creature lurched forward, its malformed features contorted into a grotesque semblance of hunger as it prepared to launch its attack.

"Holy fuckin' Celestia shit..." Stardust whispered, her voice trembling with fear as she raised her weapons in a futile attempt to defend herself against the monstrous abomination before her.

Stardust vs Fetus Ghoul

As the Fetus Ghoul closed in on Stardust, its grotesque form cutting through the murky sea of menstruation with eerie grace, Stardust's mind raced with panic. She knew that using her firearms underwater would be futile and could even endanger her life. With a surge of adrenaline, Stardust activated the rockets on her suit, propelling herself away from the oncoming threat with desperate speed.

The impact of the Fetus Ghoul's hoof sent Stardust careening into the wall, a sharp jolt of pain shooting through her body as she struggled to regain her bearings. Gritting her teeth against the agony, Stardust forced herself to focus, her mind racing with desperate calculations as she searched for a way to defend herself.

"Son of a bitch... that hurt me," Stardust muttered through clenched teeth, her voice laced with a mixture of fear and anger at her predicament.

With her heart pounding in her chest, Stardust scanned her surroundings for anything she could use as a weapon. The clinic was a labyrinth of twisted corridors and blood-soaked debris.

"I'll have to find something sharp to attack it, I can't use weapons... I don't know if after this my mind can still withstand so much madness," Stardust murmured to herself, her voice trembling with a mixture of anguish and determination. Every moment spent in this nightmarish hospital tested her sanity to its limits, but she refused to succumb to despair.

As the Fetus Ghoul lunged towards Stardust, hurling debris with reckless abandon, Stardust's instincts kicked in, propelling her into a frantic dance of evasion. With lightning-fast reflexes, she darted to the right, narrowly avoiding the barrage of projectiles hurtling towards her.

But the Fetus Ghoul was relentless, its monstrous form closing in on Stardust with terrifying speed. With a surge of panic, Stardust scrambled for anything she could use as a weapon, her heart pounding in her chest as she searched desperately for a means of defense.

Before she could react, the Fetus Ghoul was upon her, its massive hooves crashing down with bone-crushing force. Stardust was thrown backwards, her body twisting in mid-air as she desperately tried to shield herself from the impact, her mind reeling with pain and fear.

"Shit, that hurts so much!" Stardust cried out, her voice trembling with desperation as she clutched her injured back, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she struggled to push through the agony.

But there was no time to dwell on her injuries. With grim determination, Stardust forced herself to focus, her eyes narrowing as she braced for the Fetus Ghoul's next assault. As the creature launched a stretcher towards her, Stardust's instincts kicked into overdrive, propelling her into a desperate dive to evade the deadly projectile, her heart hammering in her chest as she fought to stay one step ahead of her monstrous adversary.

Stardust, propelled by the rockets, seized the package of bandages that floated aimlessly and swiftly stowed it in her bag.

A fleeting sense of relief washed over Stardust as she finally secured what she sought, yet there was no time for celebration. A looming threat demanded her attention.

"After dealing with this wretched creature, I must find a means of escape. I can't endure its presence any longer; it fills me with dread," Stardust muttered, her hooves trembling.

The Fetus Ghoul hurled a trolley at Stardust, who, paralyzed by fear, could only watch as it hurtled towards her. With a sickening thud, the trolley struck her, sending her staggering back from the impact.

Glancing down, Stardust noticed a small crack in the crystal of her suit.

"Bloody hell!" Stardust exclaimed, a mixture of fear and fury coursing through her veins as she assessed the damage. She knew all too well the dire consequences of a breach in her suit's integrity.

The Fetus Ghoul bore down on Stardust once more, but she deftly evaded its charge, sliding to the side with the aid of her rockets and taking refuge behind a nearby privacy screen.

Seizing the screen with her magic, Stardust shattered it against the wall, creating a multitude of jagged glass shards.

With the Fetus Ghoul momentarily stunned by its failed attack, Stardust seized the opportunity, levitating the shards with her telekinesis and hurling them towards her assailant.

Upon being pelted by the glass shards, the Fetus Ghoul emitted a piercing scream, its blood mingling with the sea of menstruation in a grotesque spectacle.

Stardust, noting that her suit's fuel had depleted to 50%, understood that her predicament would only worsen if it ran out entirely.

In a fit of frustration, the Fetus Ghoul pounded the ground, unleashing tremors that reverberated throughout the clinic, causing the surroundings to quake.

Stardust, repulsed by her adversary's appearance and mindful of her restricted movement in the liquid, sought to keep her distance.

In a moment of clarity amidst her fear, Stardust levitated several sharp fragments of debris, preparing for her next move.

The Fetus Ghoul surged towards Stardust with alarming speed, poised to crush her with its colossal hooves.

"Shit!" Stardust exclaimed, taken aback by the creature's sudden velocity. With a sense of urgency, she hurled the debris at the approaching menace.

The Fetus Ghoul, its head now adorned with sharp protrusions, writhed in agony, its movements becoming increasingly erratic as it continued its pursuit of Stardust.

Utilizing her rockets, Stardust propelled herself upward to evade the creature's charge, deftly maneuvering past the flailing Fetus Ghoul and swimming to the opposite side of the room.

Finally, the Fetus Ghoul succumbed to its injuries, its lifeless form drifting in the crimson-tinted liquid, casting a macabre shadow over the clinic.

"I finally made it... Now I have a way to get out of here," Stardust muttered, relief tinged with exhaustion evident in her voice. But her respite was short-lived as an alarming siren pierced the air.

The shrill sound reverberated throughout the hospital, causing the entire structure to lurch into motion, spinning at a dizzying speed. Stardust clutched her head in agony, the cacophony assaulting her senses and intensifying her headache.

"Now what the fuck is happening?!" Stardust exclaimed, her voice strained with confusion and discomfort. She attempted to cover her ears, seeking refuge from the piercing noise, but her suit hindered her movements, leaving her helpless against the onslaught of sound.

As the siren blared with an unforgiving intensity, Stardust felt a sharp pain lance through her skull, pulsating with each ear-splitting wail. The sound seemed to penetrate her very being, reverberating through her bones and setting her nerves ablaze with torment.

Her vision blurred and swayed as if the world around her had been thrown into disarray. Each rotation of the hospital sent waves of nausea crashing over her, threatening to overwhelm her senses. Stardust staggered, her hooves feeling like lead as she struggled to maintain her balance amidst the chaos.

With every passing moment, the relentless assault of the siren bore down on her, intensifying the throbbing ache in her head until it felt as if her brain might burst from the pressure. She gritted her teeth, her entire body tensed against the agony, but there was no escape from the relentless onslaught of sound.

Desperation clawed at Stardust's consciousness as she fought to stay upright, her thoughts muddled and disjointed amidst the cacophony. The world spun around her in a dizzying blur, each rotation plunging her deeper into a swirling vortex of torment.

And then, with a final, deafening crescendo, the world faded into darkness as Stardust succumbed to the overwhelming agony, her consciousness slipping away into unconsciousness, consumed by the relentless assault of the siren's wail.

Stardust slowly regained consciousness, her head still throbbing with a lingering ache.

She found herself back in the familiar surroundings of the Baltimare Medical Center Hospital, on the very floor where her harrowing journey had begun.

With a bewildered expression, Stardust rose to her hooves, shaking off the remnants of her disorienting slumber.

"What in the... was it all just a dream?" Stardust muttered to herself, her thoughts a jumbled mess as she tried to make sense of her surreal experience. The anti-radiation suit clung to her like a haunting reminder of the trials she had endured, each item she had collected still in her possession.

"It's difficult to comprehend... returning to Equestria should bring relief, yet I can't shake the feeling of unease," Stardust pondered aloud, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she made her way towards the hospital's exit. The warmth of the sun beckoned her, a comforting beacon amidst the shadows of her memories.

"Even though I'm back, the scars of my ordeal run deep. The raped, the near-crushing, the journey through the void of space... they linger like ghosts haunting my thoughts," Stardust murmured, her gaze fixed upon the sky as she contemplated the weight of her experiences.

Stardust lifted her left front hoof, inspecting the stubborn stains of menstruation that clung to her suit. The sight only added to her confusion, serving as a grim reminder of the reality she had endured. Though shielded from the scent by her protective gear, she had no desire to uncover the true nature of the repulsive liquid.

"This only deepens the mystery... If I still bear the mark of that horror, does it mean my trials were real after all? But how could I have been transported into space? Did I stumble into some infernal portal?" Stardust pondered aloud, her voice laced with uncertainty. The questions hung in the air, unanswered and unsettling.

"The worst part is... I can't confide in anypony about this. They'd think I've lost my mind," Stardust lamented, casting her gaze downward as she grappled with the weight of her solitary burden.

"At least I'm still drawing breath... that's... something, I suppose," she conceded, a faint glimmer of resignation in her voice as she turned her steps toward home, eager to seek solace in the familiar embrace of Lollipop.

Stardust, feeling a sense of urgency, activated the rockets on her suit, propelling herself forward with determination. She soared through the air, navigating carefully to avoid any potential threats lurking below, maintaining a safe altitude to prevent collisions with the towering structures of the city.

With a gentle touch, Stardust reached for her Pipbuck, relieved to find that the device had regained its signal and was functioning as usual. Two unread messages awaited her, one from her mother and the other from her best friend.

Scarlet Glitter: My dear, where are you? Why you do not answer my messages? Your father and I are deeply concerned about you, please respond, we want to know where you are and who you have been.

Upon reading the heartfelt message from her mother, Stardust felt a wave of emotion wash over her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized the depth of her parents' concern for her well-being. "I'm sorry, Mum... I've been through a lot," Stardust whispered to herself, her voice trembling with emotion. With a heavy heart, she composed a response, using her magic to type out her message on the Pipbuck screen.

Tears streamed down Stardust's cheeks as she replied, her hooves moving deftly over the Pipbuck's interface. "I'm fine, Mum... I've had a few setbacks. I'm very sorry for not answering you. I'm safe and sound... with a pony named Lollipop. She's helping me get to Sparkle-World safely," Stardust conveyed, her words infused with a mix of relief and sorrow.

Stardust felt a surge of gratitude upon reading Violet Glow's heartfelt message. Tears of happiness trickled down her cheeks as she composed her response, her hooves moving deftly over the Pipbuck's interface.

Violet Glow: I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye to you Judith, I was busy, it took me longer than I thought, but now that you're out there in the wasteland, I'd really like you to be careful out there, okay? I will be looking forward to your return to the Stable, things will not be the same for me if you are not here.

"Don't worry, Violet," Stardust replied, her voice tinged with warmth and reassurance. "I'm grateful we can stay in touch, even if we're apart. When my journey to Sparkle-World ends, I'll come back to you as quickly as I can. We'll be together again soon."

With her message sent, Stardust finally arrived at the entrance of the house where Lollipop awaited her. She took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of determination coursing through her veins. "Don't worry, Lollipop," she whispered to herself, steeling her resolve. "I'll save you."

With a determined stride, Stardust pushed open the door and stepped inside the shelter.

To be continue

Chapter 7 - Healing Rain

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I can't seem to find the joy in this world, no matter how hard I try. Every day, it's the same question haunting me: why?

Back to being Blackjack, still alive and kicking. Not that I'm thrilled about it.

After bidding farewell to Glory and driving back to my mansion, I found myself in dire need of somepony to talk to. The loneliness weighs heavy, and on top of that, there's the burden of being a contract killer.

I long for somepony to confide in, to share the weight I carry. But then Glory had to go and twist the knife with her parting words.

Morning Glory: Blackjack, forgot to mention, keep our 'business' to yourself. Not a word to Gin Rummy, especially with your mom being, well, your mom.

Thanks, Glory. Thanks for adding more venom to the cauldron of despair brewing in my heart. You've managed to darken it even more, leaving it withered and destroyed.

My mom, she's all I've got. And you've ripped her away from me. I've always tried to put on this facade of strength, like I can handle anything that comes my way. But now, in my darkest hour, you snatch her away from me.

You think I find this easy to deal with?

What other options do you leave me? More alcohol, perhaps? Sure thing.

Drinks have always been my go-to, numbing the emotional pain I'm drowning in.

But I've already made up my mind. I'll be Glory's contract killer, if that's what it takes to stay close to her.

She's my friend, and even though we used to be a damn happy couple, my own foolish choices have landed me in this mess.

Guess this is the toll I pay for being so damn self-absorbed, for ignoring those who actually give a damn about me.

This ain't about sex, not even close. I just want Glory back, to have us together again like we used to.

And if that means becoming a contract killer, putting my life on the line, then so be it.

But while Glory's out there digging up dirt on my marks, what am I supposed to do? Besides drowning in booze?

No clue, pal. I'm lost in this maze, stuck between the bottle and a screen, watching Power Ponies till my eyes bleed.

That's the routine, day in, day out. Barstool or mansion walls, it's a never-ending loop.

Life's become a bleak landscape, dull and desolate... I couldn't be more screwed.

At this moment, I found myself in the gay bar near my mansion, like a moth to flame, drawn to its neon glow.

But as I stepped inside, silence greeted me, like a cold hoof brushing past. No nods, no greetings, just the quiet hum of conversations and clinking glasses.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, seeing my once-bustling world reduced to this. The glory, the power, all faded away like whispers in the wind. Nothing lasts forever, not even fame.

Back to the harsh reality, I had to face it. No longer the big shot, just another face in the crowd, trying to scrape by in this unforgiving wasteland.

I let it consume me, the weight of it all bearing down. Now, I'm paying the price. Sure, I've got plenty of caps, but what good is it without companionship? Loneliness is a heavy burden, one I'd rather not carry.

Nopony was by my side, the tribeco bar seemed unusually sparse tonight. The midnight hour had passed, and the rain outside must've kept many ponies away.

But the emptiness only magnified my own sense of desolation. It felt like they were all deliberately avoiding me, but deep down, I knew it was just that I wasn't worth their time. Who would want to listen to me moan about my solitude, anyway?

I glanced to my left, the colorful lights casting their vibrant hues across the room. Blues, greens, a kaleidoscope of colors dancing against the backdrop of my own dreary existence, painted in shades of gray and black.

The ambient chatter and laughter of the other ponies filled the air, mingling with the clinking of glasses as they enjoyed their wine. Yet amidst the merriment, I stood alone, a solitary figure in the midst of a bustling crowd.

The scene was a cruel reflection of my daily existence—a perpetual outsider, unnoticed and overlooked by those around me. If I were to collapse right here, right now, I doubt anypony would spare me a second glance as they stepped over my prone form.

To my right, the same tableau played out, each pony accompanied by a friend or confidant, engaged in lively conversation and camaraderie. Meanwhile, I had only the company of my own thoughts, the voices in my head becoming all too familiar companions in my solitude.

The bar itself was a dimly lit sanctuary, the soft glow of neon lights casting a hazy aura over the scene. Bottles of all shapes and sizes lined the shelves behind the counter, their labels promising a temporary escape from reality. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke, a heady mixture that only served to deepen my sense of despair.

It was a place of refuge for some—a temple where ponies could escape the harsh realities of the wasteland, if only for a fleeting moment. But for me, it served as a stark reminder of my own isolation, a solitary beacon amidst a sea of companionship I could never hope to reach.

As I swigged from my bottle of Wild Pegasus, the familiar burn of alcohol searing my throat, my thoughts drifted to the red light district. Maybe a little companionship from the ladies of the night could provide some temporary solace, a fleeting escape from the relentless grip of loneliness that clung to me like a shadow.

But as the jukebox filled the air with the haunting melodies of "Friend of the Night" by Mogwai, memories of my mother flooded my mind. She is my rock, my guiding light in a world shrouded in darkness. I remember the stories she used to tell me, tales of her escape from the hellish confines of Stable Ninety-Nine, where stallions were nothing more than tools for breeding, devoid of any semblance of ponymity.

Her bravery and sacrifice are etched into my soul, a constant reminder of the strength and resilience of the pony who gave me life. Without her, I would be adrift in a sea of despair, lost and alone in a world that offers little solace.

But even she may not be enough to keep the demons at bay forever. If I were to lose her too, what would be left for me? An empty existence devoid of purpose or meaning, a fate worse than death itself. And so, I cling to her memory with every fiber of my being, for she is the only anchor keeping me tethered to this world.

But if the day ever comes when she is gone, when I am truly alone, I know what awaits me. A bullet to the brain, a final release from the agony of existence. And in the end, no pony would mourn my passing, not even Glory, and certainly not Rampage.

Great...

As I turned the bottle in my magical grip, its label obscured, my reflection stared back at me from the clear glass. A face worn by sorrow and weariness, its features etched with a melancholy that seemed to seep from my very soul. Rarely did this visage know the warmth of a smile; instead, it bore the burden of a thousand unspoken sorrows.

My mane, once vibrant and fierce, now hung limp and unkempt, its crimson and ebony strands falling across my face like a veil of shadows. I had let it grow long, allowing the bangs to shield my left eye from prying gazes, a feeble attempt to conceal the vulnerability that lurked within.

The emptiness in my heart threatened to overwhelm me, a torrent of emotions held at bay by a fragile dam of stoicism. I fought against the urge to cry, to succumb to the weight of despair that threatened to consume me whole. In public, I wore a mask of indifference, a facade of apathy to shield me from the ridicule of the world.

"Another round of Wild Pegasus, please," I muttered to the bartender, Aether, a griffon whose kindness belied his imposing appearance. Though we exchanged few words, there was a camaraderie between us, forged by the silent understanding of shared suffering.

Aether hurried over, a bottle of Wild Pegasus in his claw, his feathers ruffled with the effort of serving the bustling crowd. He placed the bottle on the counter before me, but as I reached for my caps, he stayed my hoof with a gentle gesture.

"No, Blackjack, it's on the house this time. Consider it a token of appreciation for your patronage," he said, a genuine smile lighting up his features. It was a small gesture, but it warmed the cold recesses of my heart, if only for a moment.

"Why, thank you. What's the occasion?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. Aether's generosity was born not of obligation, but of genuine compassion for a soul adrift in the sea of despair.

"It's just my way of saying thank you for being a loyal customer. I hope you'll keep coming back," Aether replied, his voice tinged with sincerity as he set about cleaning the counter, the remnants of spilled whiskey staining its surface.

"I'll be back later, no doubt about it," I muttered, the bottle of whiskey offering a brief respite from the relentless ache in my chest. The warmth of the liquor spread through me, dulling the sharp edges of my pain, if only for a fleeting moment.

"And what about your brother? Isn't it tough running the bar solo?" I inquired, a faint glimmer of curiosity flickering within me. The prospect of conversation, however fleeting, was a welcome distraction from the suffocating weight of solitude that enveloped me.

"He's out with some pals, enjoying himself. I told him I could handle things here on my own for the day," Aether explained, his claws resting wearily on the countertop. Despite the sparse crowd, the burden of maintaining the establishment rested heavily on his shoulders.

"I get it. Marechester's got its charms, with all the go-kart tracks, Leaton Park, and Prentworks. Plenty to keep folks entertained," I replied, though the mention of these attractions only served to dredge up memories of happier times spent with Morning and Rampage. Once, we had reveled in the excitement of exploration and adventure, but those days were long gone, lost to the sands of time.

"Yeah, that's one of the reasons folks flock here. Marechester was spared the worst of the war's wrath," Aether replied, his tone tinged with a hint of relief. Memories of my foalhood in Hoofington flooded my mind, a city ravaged by radiation and despair. It was a fucked-up place, a cesspool of misery and decay, where danger lurked around every corner. I had been oblivious to the dangers, too naïve to see the devastation that surrounded me. To my mother, I was nothing more than a perpetual headache.

If I ever had to go back to Hoofington, it would be to rip apart anypony who tries to mess with my family.

"That's why my brother and I ended up here. We didn't give a damn about being mercenaries. We just wanted a simpler, quieter life. We were sick of the shootings, the deaths, the blood. I'm tired of hearing about that crap every day," Aether said, a hint of anger in his voice. I get where they're coming from. The Pegasus Enclave screwed over Griffonstone so many years ago during the war.

A lot of messed-up stuff went down during those days, and now we're stuck dealing with the aftermath our ancestors left behind.

"I know what you mean. In a messed-up world like this, finding peace is like finding diamonds. You gotta bust your ass to get it," I said, taking a swig of my trusty Wild Pegasus.

"You're right. Even though Marechester sometimes feels like a haven for twisted bastards, that's just how it is all over Equestria now, no matter where you go," Aether said. Sure, Equestria's slowly getting back on its hooves, but it's still a land where everypony's free to be as screwed up as they want. I doubt it'll ever be like it used to be. Nopony seems to give a damn about friendship anymore... including me.

I mention this because of my habits. I'm a nymphomaniac and an alcoholic. Let's just say it's not easy to maintain healthy friendships with those qualities.

They're a part of who I am, but if I don't find some kind of balance, I'll probably end up even more alone than I already am.

Aether was called to another table... Again. I was enjoying our conversation.

"Sorry, Blackjack. Duty calls," Aether said as he flew off to attend to the customer, and the routine resumed.

"It's fine," I muttered quietly, barely audible. I don't think Aether heard me. I rested my head on my right hoof.

I need to find a way to break this cycle of self-destruction, but how? I have no clue. I always let my addictions get the best of me.

Maybe I should try to meet new ponies, zebras, griffons—I don't give a shit about the species. I just don't want to be alone anymore.

I want somepony to touch me... to listen to me, to hug me. But how much longer do I have to wait to get even a shred of that?

As I continued knocking back my bottle of Wild Pegasus, my only company for the moment, I figured I'd down about five more and then call it a night. Hopefully, I wouldn't end up getting plastered like that one time when I drank too much and ended up puking all over myself while with a prostitute. Goddesses, what a fucking embarrassing moment. No matter how hard I try to push it out of my mind, it's still there, haunting me.

While lost in my thoughts and the soothing embrace of the whiskey, I heard the door creak open, followed by a mare's voice chiming in with a "Guten nacht everypony!" I reckoned from her accent that she was new here. The others in the bar greeted her back, but I didn't bother turning to look. I figured she'd ignore me like the rest, so I kept my focus on my drink and the music blaring from the jukebox. It was that catchy tune, 'Nocturnal Transmission' by BT, also known as Berry Twister. Its rhythm was infectious, and I couldn't help but bob my head along to the beat.

At one point, I felt some small touches on my back, like hooves. Slowly turning around while still holding the bottle in my mouth, I wondered what was going on. Was this a pony interested in talking to me? I hoped so, and not somepony looking for revenge for the car I stole earlier today. I wasn't up for a fight at the moment.

"What the... you're Blackjack, right? The one from Project Horizons!" she exclaimed. A unicorn mare stood before me, with a bluish-gray coat and a cutie mark of a group of roses and black candies. Her mane was styled with double ponytails on the sides, black with lavender stripes, and her eyes a captivating amber color. Quite pretty, I must say...

"Yeah, that's me... and who are you?" I asked, never having seen her before in my life.

"My name is Candy Rose. I can't believe I'm finally talking to a star like you," Candy said excitedly, bringing her front hoof to her chest. Was I a star? Those days were long gone. Even if she said nice things about me, it wouldn't boost my self-esteem.

"I'm glad you think so highly of me. Do you need anything?" I asked, keeping my eyes on Candy as I continued to drink.

"Nein, ich wollte nur etwas trinken, but what I didn't imagine was finding you here," Candy replied. I only caught the word 'Nein' from what she said.

"Could you please speak Equestrian? You must come from Maremany, but here most ponies speak Equestrian," I requested, hoping for clearer communication.

"Es tut mir leid, I've only been in Marechester for a year, so I still have part of my native language," Candy explained. Seems like we might have some communication hurdles. No matter, I'll manage. At least I have a pony to talk to.

"It doesn't matter. Do you want to sit with me and have a drink? I think you want to drink, right?" I invited Candy to join me on this lonely night, silently praying that she would say yes.

Candy let out a surprised sigh and immediately replied, "Natürlich! Why not? I'd be happy to spend time with somepony as incredible as you," she said, settling in next to me. She must be another one of my fans. I thought they had all disappeared by now.

"By the way, Blackjack, what happened to the gang? I mean P-21, Scotch, Lacunae, and Morning Glory? I thought I'd find you all together," Candy asked, tilting her head as she looked at me.

"Like any good gang, there are always separations, and this was no exception. When Project Horizons ended, we went our separate ways. P-21 moved to another city, Scotch is doing her own show, Glory resides in the suburbs—when I visited her, she didn't say much. Basically, she doesn't want to see me, and Lacunae, well, I don't know where she is. And you forgot to mention Boo and Rampage," I explained to Candy. Now... I think I understand what Glory and Rampage were referring to when they said that they also wanted to have a little more prominence instead of just being my companions. Whenever I meet a fan, they forget one of them.

What good is it for me to begin to understand this now? It's too late. I couldn't be more of an idiot.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Blackjack. I guess you've all been going through some tough times," Candy said with a low, empathetic voice, placing a front hoof on top of mine.

"I'm sure they're fine, I'm the one who got screwed," It's not that I wanted it to sound like I was the only one suffering, it's just that many of them would surely be happy without me, I think the only friend I got to mend our friendship is with Glory. I haven't heard anything about Rampage either, I think I'll ask Glory when I visit her again.

"You mean they abandoned you? Why would they do something like that? I thought you were seen as somepony admirable and that all the ponies loved you," Candy said, a little worried by my words.

"I used to be, but not anymore... Those days are over, I'm just a nopony now," I said, looking away from Candy and down at the floor.

"Ich bin sicher, there must be a Lösung for that, Blackjack, but you won't find it if you continue to be a pessimist," Candy said, placing a hoof on me.

"It's true, but complaining about my problems is the only thing I have, you know? I don't have anypony to listen to me," I told Candy. I felt like if I kept venting, I'd end up in tears, and that was the last thing I wanted, especially with a potential friend right here.

"That's nicht true, Blackjack... I had keine Ahnung that you were having so many problems in dein Leben, but I know how to solve it. What do you think if we talk, while wir drink und get drunk together?" Candy suggested. Her comforting words lifted my spirits a little. I decided to change my plans and spend the rest of the night with Candy. I hoped I wouldn't reveal my worst side, driving her away and leaving me alone again.

I turned my gaze back to Candy. "Yes, I would love to drink with you."

"Perfekt, whatever you want to tell me, I'm hier for you, okay?" Candy said, stroking my mane while she put her hooves back on the counter. "Hey Aether, bring me a bottle of vodka!" Candy said, speaking a little louder.

"I'll be over there in a moment," Aether said, serving several clients at the same time as much as he could.

"Do you know Aether?" I asked Candy, surprised that she knew him. Even though I come here every day, our paths never crossed.

"Yes, das ist nicht das erste Mal, dass ich hierher komme. I usually come more during the day, ich vermute, that's why we've never met," Candy replied.

I stayed quiet for a few seconds; I couldn't understand half of what Candy said, to be honest.

"Huuh... Candy, you really need to work on your Equestrian, I don't know the first things you said, but yes, I only come at night. During the day, I only spend my time in my mansion sleeping, without doing anything productive," I replied to Candy.

"I'm sorry if you don't understand me sometimes, ich mache mein Bestes. And you don't go out with any other pony? You must have other friends," Candy asked with a bit of concern.

"Can prostitutes be considered friends?" I responded sarcastically, a poor attempt to lighten the moment.

Candy let out a small laugh. "Ja, they're only your friends if you pay them, but I mean echte friends."

"No, I don't have one, I think you could say that Glory is the only one I have left," I responded to Candy. Although my situation with Glory has a dubious status, since now I am her contract killer. I still love her as a friend. I would like us to be a couple again, but I doubt that she wants to be a couple with somepony as stupid as me, and also with a nymphomaniac.

"Yes, I had that doubt, I thought you two got along well," Candy guessed. I would love it to be like that, believe me. Every time I remember that moment, it makes me want to shoot myself.

"If I hadn't been such a self-centered piece of shit, none of this crap would've landed on my plate," I grumbled, giving the counter a solid thump out of frustration.

"Well, Blackjack, if I'm being ganz honest with you, I never fancied that side of you much. Aber, the good thing is that you accepted your mistake, und ich weiß, you have a good heart," Candy remarked, her words stinging a bit, but hell, truth ain't always a smooth pill to swallow, ain't it?

My ego's been a pile of rubble for ages now. Maybe that's the one silver lining in this whole damn mess? Must've been a real pain in the ass to deal with, especially for Glory.

"Trust me, Candy, that side of me's been six feet under for ages. Learned it the hard way," I said, my gaze shifting briefly to Aether as he slid a bottle of vodka across the counter for Candy. He kept quiet, sensing the gravity of our conversation. "I ain't got no reason to strut around like I'm the toughest mare in the wasteland no more... reckon I'm just another pony in the herd now."

"But that don't mean you gotta hate yourself, Blackjack. You're worth something, to somepony, even if it ain't to everypony. Always gonna be somepony out there who sees your value," Candy said, taking a swig from her bottle of vodka. Maybe what she's saying holds truth. Maybe she's the beacon in the darkness for me.

I ain't exactly a pro at expressing feelings, but it's been a damn long time since anypony bothered to talk to me like this, making an effort to lift me up.

Can't quite find the words to describe it, but being here with Candy, it's like I got somepony in my corner, somepony who sees me for who I am and gives a damn. Wouldn't mind resting my head on her shoulder right now, truth be told. But reckon it might be pushing it for the first night.

If I wanna keep Candy by my side, I gotta make some damn changes, and it ain't gonna be easy. I know it's gonna cost me, but I can't afford to lose the only pony who bothered to reach out and pull me outta the pit of loneliness that was swallowing me whole. If I lose her, what the hell else do I got? Except for Glory, who won't even look my way?

My ego's been outta the picture for ages, so I gotta step up and become a better pony if I wanna keep Candy close.

Candy's the only one who's sticking by me now, so I gotta start treating her like more than just a fan. She's my friend, plain and simple.

Even though it's gonna be a real struggle to stop hating myself for all the screw-ups I've made, least I can do is give it a shot.

"You reckon you're that pony? The one who sees something worthwhile in me?" I blurted out, not even stopping to think before asking, just needing to know where I stand with her.

"Yeah, Blackjack, I reckon I am. I see that value in you, I see you trying to make things right," Candy replied, her words striking a chord in me. Couldn't help but let out a smile, something I ain't done in so damn long. Feels kinda strange, finding joy in something so simple. Guess that's how far down the lonely rabbit hole I've fallen.

"I can't be more grateful to you, Candy. Let's have some fun tonight, drinking plenty of alcohol until our livers give out," I said to Candy, lifting my bottle of whiskey to propose a toast.

"Sure thing, let's toast to the start of a wunderbar friendship," Candy said, lifting her bottle of vodka. We both clinked our bottles together and started knocking 'em back like it's nothing.

I had just a bit less than half left in my bottle, feels like it always runs out too damn fast.

Reminds me of how whenever I finally get a taste of satisfaction and happiness, it's like it slips through my hooves before I can even savor it, and I'm back to clawing for it all over again when Lady Luck decides to grace me with her presence.

"Candy, why don't you tell me a bit more about yourself? All I know so far is your name," I asked, genuine curiosity prickling at me to learn more about her.

"Well, you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned I hail from Maremany. Born and bred there. In my tongue, we call Maremany Stuteland. And back in those days, I used to binge-watch a ton of Project Horizons. Very entertaining, I gotta admit," Candy explained, grabbing her bottle of vodka, a true enthusiast if ever there was one.

"And you made it through all the seasons?" I inquired, already anticipatin' her answer.

"Until staffel three," Candy replied. Staffel must mean season, I reckon. Ain't gonna let the conversation grind to a halt just 'cause I can't keep up, so I'll just roll with it.

"I should've guessed. Seems like everypony got the same story," I chuckled, gazing ahead with a half-hearted smile.

"Sorry if I offended you, Blackjack. Wasn't my intention. Ich bin nur ehrlich," Candy apologized.

"Nah, it's all good. Just makes me chuckle now," I chuckled again, 'cause what else can you do but laugh at your past screw-ups? If I had a spell for time travel, reckon I'd change that and a whole lot more.

"I think something must've gone sideways while you were working on your show, making some, uh, questionable calls... if you catch my drift. Made it tough for me to keep watching, but I still got a soft spot for them first couple seasons. That counts for something, right?" Candy said, her honesty striking a chord with me. Truth hurts, like I've said before.

"Yeah, truth be told, I was more focused on trying to make myself look badass and edgy than actually writing a decent script. Probably why nopony remembers Boo, she pops up in season three," I admitted.

"When you say Boo, you mean that ghost from Super Mare Sisters? The game all the foals are crazy about?" Candy's question caught me off guard.

"HAHAHAHA!" I burst out laughing, slapping a hoof on the counter and resting my head on it. "Nah, she's part of our crew. Sure, she's as white as a ghost, but compare her to the Boo from Super Mare Sisters... they ain't nothin' alike," I chuckled, tryin' to hold back my laughter.

Candy chuckled at my contagious laugh. "I have a copy of the show's cover art, but I didn't see any white pony on it. That's why I didn't recognize her," Candy added.

"Well, that's 'cause she ain't even on the cover. We plum forgot to stick her on there," I responded to Candy, biting back my laughter to keep from accidentally spitting out my whiskey.

"Oh, that explains a whole heap of things," Candy said, smiling too. It had been a while since I laughed like this; couldn't be happier in this moment. Wouldn't mind being... closer to Candy.

Feeling a bit... frisky around her, but I gotta rein in them urges. Can't go jumping the gun on anything, gotta let her take the lead. Fucking nymphomania acting up again...

"Candy, what do you say we get good and drunk, and you crash at my mansion? I live nearby, and I reckon it ain't safe for you to be driving in that state," I suggested to Candy.

"Really? Ich würde gerne! I can't stay too late, maybe I can just spend the night at your mansion," Candy said excitedly, quickly taking a swig from her bottle of vodka. Seems like we got ourselves one thing in common: our love for the drink.

Candy and I kept up our conversation, the drinks flowing freely as we downed them without a second thought.

Before we knew it, Candy had downed nine bottles of vodka, mixing them with Wild Pegasus like there's no tomorrow.

The bar turned into a damn disaster zone, and I was right there contributing to the chaos, gulping down four bottles of Wild Pegasus at once like some kinda maniac.

We were both so sloshed that we started spouting off all sorts of nonsense, throwing around vulgarities without a care in the world, much to the dismay of the other customers.

"Candy, gotta tell ya, I fucking love that ass of yours. Can't tear my damn eyes away from it. Wanna bend you over this fucking counter and have my way with you right here, right now!" I slurred, my head spinning erratically, the lights of the bar blurring into oversized, colorful dots.

"You already said that... can't believe a celebrity like you wants to fuck me," Candy replied, gulping down her drink at breakneck speed, spilling it all over the counter and the floor.

"We're gonna fuck right here, in front of everypony," I declared, clumsily dropping my bottle onto the counter. I was so fucking wasted that I couldn't even control my magic properly.

"You like being treated like a whore, huh!? Can tell by how fucking soaked your pussy is, Miststück," Candy slurred, struggling to keep her balance in her chair.

Before things could spiral even further outta control, Aether stepped in. Ain't the first time I've gotten plastered in his bar; used to just bury my head in the counter, drowning my sorrows. But now, with the prospect of getting it on right here, he sure as hell wouldn't be down for that.

"Uh... ladies, hate to do this, but I think it's time for you both to skedaddle from my establishment. Seems like you've had more than enough. Whatever you're planning to do, take it outside," Aether said, approaching us to lend a claw, making sure we didn't topple over and smack our heads on the floor.

"Can't we just fuck right here in your damn bar?" I slurred, squinting at Aether through blurry vision, his yellow claws the only thing I could make out.

"Like I said, this is a bar, not some sleazy strip joint," Aether replied, his tone a mix of frustration and concern. He'd dealt with his fair share of drunks before, always keeping his cool.

"Don't be such a stick in the mud, Aether. If you're up for it, you can join in. Always wondered what it'd be like to fuck a griffon," Candy chimed in, finishing her sentence with a small belch.

"Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. Come back another day," Aether said firmly, hoisting us both up and making his way towards the exit with surprising strength, setting us down carefully on the ground outside.

"I'm really sorry, Blackjack, Candy. You're both friends, and I appreciate that, but I can't risk my bar," Aether said, a hint of pity in his voice as he slowly closed the door behind him.

I was so fucking plastered that I could barely make sense of what was happening around me. Glancing to my left, I saw my mansion just across the street.

"Candy, let's get to my place. Can't take this shit no more. I wanna fuck you right fucking now!" I attempted to get up, but nearly toppled over, catching myself with my right front hoof just before smacking into the wall.

"Gib mir eine Minute," Candy slurred, struggling to get to her hooves.

As I caught my breath, making my way back to my mansion, I felt like every damn thing I'd swallowed was threatenin' to come right back up.

Clamping my front hooves over my mouth, I forced down the vomit churning in my gut. Shit, if I puked, Candy'd probably never wanna touch me. Guess downing twelve bottles in record time wasn't exactly the smartest move.

Glancing back, I saw Candy, her head bouncing off light poles. "RED PHONE BOOTH, EVERYWHERE!" she hollered before crashing right into a phone booth.

Thank the stars it was night and there weren't too many ponies out at this hour. Otherwise, we'd be the laughin' stock of Marechester right about now.

Feeling a whirlwind of emotions swirling through me, a bit dizzy from all the drinking, and hornier than a buck in heat. Could damn well jerk off right here in the middle of the street if I had to, but gotta hold out until Candy lays her hooves on me. Feel like I'm seeing things too, my hooves... seem longer than they should be.

"Come on, Candy, just gotta get our sorry asses across this fucking street," I urged, watching as she careened into every damn thing in sight, even crashing into parked vehicles. She's definitely more outta it than me, considering she mixed Wild Pegasus with vodka.

"There's my car, goes beep beep!" Candy exclaimed, making a car horn sound with her mouth. Did she just pull that off?

"Quit talking bullshit and just follow me, ahahaha!" I chuckled, leading the way across the street. Candy was spouting off all sorts of nonsense that only had me laughing harder.

Didn't even bother glancing at the traffic light as I crossed. Everything looked warped and distorted, and I couldn't hear the sound of any engines, so figured it'd be safe enough to go for it.

Candy lagged behind a few meters, tumbling to the ground every now and then before struggling back to her hooves. Meanwhile, I trotted on, fighting to maintain my balance with each step.

Reaching the door of my mansion, I swung it open with my magic and glanced back. Candy was sprawled out on the ground.

"Ich glaube, ich brauche Hilfe... Help me, bitch. I'll never make it to this fucking place," Candy groaned, her face pressed into the floor.

"You're a mess, Candy. Can't even go three seconds without taking a spill? Fucking slut," I shot back at her, the words spilling out without a filter. Alcohol had taken hold of our brains, so it sure as hell wasn't us speaking right then.

Feeling a bit more sober than her, I used my magic to grab her by the tail and levitate her to the entrance of my mansion. Setting her down on the couch as gently as I could, I closed the door and made my way over to her.

Deciding I'd had enough of trotting for one night, I plopped down on the carpet beside Candy, giving her a prime view of my ass.

I glanced back, resting my head on my front hooves, making sure Candy got a good look at my ass. Gotta admit, it felt good to have her eyes on me like that.

She returned the look, tongue hanging out and drool dripping. She was ready to give me the cunnilingus I'd been craving.

"Mmm, that wet pussy of yours, Blackjack. I wanna lick it," Candy purred, her tongue slithering over my cutie mark, leaving it glistening with saliva.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, pleasure sending shivers down my spine. It'd been way too long since I'd had a good oral, 'specially from a sexy little minx like Candy.

I wrapped my tail around Candy's neck, pulling her closer to me, wanting to feel her warmth against my ass.

Candy kept lavishing attention on my cutie mark, her tongue working it over with eagerness. Damn, did she really like the taste of my flank that much?

Try as I might to keep quiet, moans of pleasure slipped past my lips as Candy shifted her focus, now turning her attention to my pussy. Her tongue danced over it, tracing slow and sensual circles, gradually slicking it up with her saliva.

"Oh yes, Candy, just like that," I gasped, laying my head back against the floor. I tried my hardest not to move too much, wanting her to keep it up, but the pleasure was so intense that I couldn't help squirming beneath her touch.

With one front hoof, Candy spread my pussy wide open, her tongue delving deep inside. She wanted to taste every inch of me, and damn if she wasn't eager about it.

"What a delicious ass you have, Blackjack. I could do this all fucking night," Candy murmured. Her words made me feel wanted and desired. This could go on forever.

"Ass is all yours, babe," I gasped, leaning back a bit to give her better access. I rested my head on the ground, occasionally propping it up on my hooves, slick with saliva. I was so goddamn horny, it was all I could do to keep from squirming uncontrollably.

"Ohhh, Candy!" I moaned, the sound reverberating through the room. Feeling a pang of guilt for disturbing the neighbors, I remembered that my mansion wasn't exactly isolated from the rest of the neighborhood. It was sandwiched between other houses and apartments, so there was a good chance they could hear every single moan and groan.

It was clear that Candy was no stranger to licking pussy, and here I was, thinking she was a virgin. But it didn't matter how many ponies Candy had fucked before. Right now, she was all mine.

She could sense my impending orgasm, but at the same time, I felt the urge to pee. Damn it, why now?

Here I was, enjoying some fine cunnilingus, and now I had to deal with this sudden need to piss?

I didn't wanna move, didn't wanna get up. All I wanted was for Candy to keep fucking me with her tongue. Guess I better tell her.

"Huh... Candy, I think I need to pee," I blurted out, cheeks flushin' crimson with embarrassment. I felt like I was ruining the moment with my bladder. I'd downed more than twelve bottles of Wild Pegasus, so it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Candy paused, stopping her tongue's wicked dance over my ass, to respond, "Don't worry. I wanna drink your pee," she said, her voice thick with desire.

Fuck. Did she really just say that? Did she get off on that kinda fetish?

Too drunk to think straight, I focused solely on pleasing Candy. Didn't waste a second thinking about the disaster that was about to unfold in my living room, or the godawful smell that would linger long after.

I made my decision without a second thought. The main goal right then was to make Candy feel good, no matter what.

I let it flow, the urine trickling out in a steady stream. Imagined myself in the bathroom, relieving myself like I would normally. As it flowed from my pussy, it felt oddly liberating. Like a weight lifting off my shoulders.

"Mmmm, so fucking delicious," Candy purred, greedily drinking up every last drop. She didn't wanna miss a single one, burying her mouth in my vagina to catch every precious drop.

As Candy eagerly lapped up my urine, I felt a powerful wave of pleasure building up inside me. It was like my body was on fire, every nerve tingling with anticipation.

I could feel myself getting closer and closer to climaxing, my muscles tensing as the sensation washed over me. Candy's tongue working its magic on my pussy only added fuel to the fire, pushing me right to the edge.

I let out a low moan, the sound filling the room as pleasure coursed through me. My hips bucked involuntarily, seeking more of Candy's touch. And she was more than happy to oblige, drinking up my pee with a fervor that drove me wild.

It wasn't long before I reached the peak, my body tensing as the orgasm crashed over me like a tidal wave. I cried out in ecstasy, every muscle in my body convulsing with pleasure.

And through it all, Candy drank up every last drop of my urine, her tongue never stopping its relentless assault on my pussy. It was intense, raw, and downright primal. But damn if it wasn't the most exhilarating experience of my life.

Watching Candy pleasure herself while she licked my urine-soaked pussy drove me wild with desire. I couldn't hold back any longer; I needed to come, and I needed her to swallow every last drop of my vaginal fluids.

"Candy, I'm gonna fucking cum. Can't hold it back any longer!" I moaned, my voice filling the living room as I reached the peak of pleasure. Meanwhile, Candy slipped a hoof into my vagina, using it as a makeshift dildo to drive me even closer to the edge.

As Candy's hoof worked its magic inside me, I felt the pressure building up, the pleasure rising to an unbearable peak. I could feel myself teetering on the edge of orgasm, just waiting to be pushed over.

And then it hit me like a freight train, wave after wave of pleasure crashing over me in quick succession. I let out a scream of ecstasy as my muscles tensed and spasmed, every nerve in my body alight with pleasure.

Candy didn't miss a beat, her mouth still locked on my pussy, drinking up every last drop of my vaginal fluids as I came. And as if that wasn't enough, she started masturbating herself with even more fervor, her own pleasure mixing with mine in a deliciously intoxicating concoction.

It was downright filthy. But in that moment, it was exactly what I needed. And as I collapsed in a heap on the floor, spent and satisfied, I couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something beautiful.

I turned to face Candy, and there she was, licking her lips like a hungry wolf.

"Komm schon, Blackjack, I got something for you too. Open up," Candy said, her voice husky with desire as she stood on her hind hooves, spreading her pussy wide with her front hooves.

I did as she said, opening my mouth wide as I ran my front hooves over my body in a sensual gesture, trying to stoke the flames of desire that were burning between us.

As I opened my mouth, a swirl of conflicting emotions churned within me. On one hoof, the thought of drinking Candy's pee filled me with a strange mix of excitement and disgust. But on the other, there was a urge deep inside me that craved the taste of her, no matter how taboo it might be.

Candy's pee streamed into my mouth, warm and salty against my tongue. It was... different, to say the least. But as I swallowed it down, I couldn't deny the thrill that coursed through me. It was like a forbidden fruit, tantalizing and intoxicating in equal measure.

And as I drank, I couldn't help but wonder what it said about me, that I was enjoying something so taboo. Was I losing my mind, or was this just another aspect of the wasteland changing me?

But in that moment, as I savored the taste of Candy's pee on my tongue, none of that mattered. All that mattered was the raw desire between us, burning hotter than ever before.

"Oh fuck yeah, drink it all, you fucking narcissistic bitch," Candy growled, her voice heavy with desire as she unleashed a torrent of pee not just into my mouth, but all over my body, drenching me from head to hoof.

Lying there on the carpet, I couldn't help but feel a surge of arousal as I touched myself, running my hoof over my slick, urine-soaked fur.

"Give me more, I'm yours," I moaned, my voice husky with desire as I begged for more.

And Candy didn't disappoint, unleashing a never-ending stream of pee that seemed to go on forever. With every drop that splashed against my skin, I felt myself growing hotter and hornier, lost in a haze of pleasure unlike anything I'd ever experienced before.

When Candy finished showering me in her pee, she climbed on top of me, pressing our slick, urine-soaked bodies together.

We locked eyes for a moment, our gazes filled with mutual desire. We both craved more pleasure, and it was my turn to give Candy what she wanted. I was determined to make it as good for her as it was for me.

Candy leaned in and planted a passionate kiss on my lips, her tongue dueling with mine as she moved her hips against mine, grindin' our pussies together. Our mingled saliva and urine added a dirty, sinful flavor to the kiss, heightening the intensity of the moment.

With a smirk, I lifted my hind hooves, grabbing hold of Candy's ponytails with my front hooves and tugging her closer to me. The action seemed to ignite something primal within her, making her moan with pleasure.

"Oh, Blackjack, you sure know how to please a filthy mare like me," Candy moaned, her voice heavy with desire. And she had no idea just how experienced I was in giving pleasure.

Candy and I shared another kiss, and in that moment, something clicked inside me. It was like a spark igniting in the darkness of my heart. Suddenly, I realized that I wanted her to be more than just a fling – I wanted her to be my marefriend.

Now, I know it might seem a bit sudden, and I ain't no expert when it comes to love. But this felt different. There was something real in the air, something that filled the emptiness inside me. With Candy, it wasn't just about the physical pleasure anymore. There was a connection, a bond that I hadn't felt in a long time.

I wanted to know everything about her – her hopes, her dreams, her fears. I wanted to spend every moment I could with her, sharing laughter and tears alike.

All those feelings of loneliness that had weighed me down for so long seemed to vanish in an instant. For the first time in forever, I felt truly alive, truly happy.

But there was also a fear lingering in the back of my mind – the fear of being left alone again. After all, what if Candy didn't feel the same way? What if she walked away after this night, leaving me with nothing but memories?

Despite that fear, I made up my mind. I was gonna ask her out on a proper date, and I was gonna do whatever it took to make her mine. Because sometimes, you gotta take a leap of faith, even if it scares the hell outta you.

I focused on pleasing Candy, making sure she knew just how much I was enjoying the moment. I didn't wanna get all sentimental and lose the vibe we had going on.

Candy's moans filled the room, and I could tell she was right on the edge of climax. But with our lips locked together, she couldn't let out that scream of pleasure.

To keep her close, I used one hoof to hold onto her ponytail, while the other caressed her ass, keeping her pressed against me as we kissed.

"Mmmmm!" Candy's moans sent shivers down my spine, her fluids slicking up our lovemaking.

She was grinding against me with so much force, her body achin' for release. But I wasn't ready to let her go just yet – I wanted to savor every moment, every kiss, every touch.

Candy and I lay there, basking in the afterglow of our lovemaking. Her cum coated my pussy, a tantalizing reminder of the pleasure we'd shared. As we separated, droplets of saliva trickled down my body, marking the end of our passionate encounter. Candy sighed beside me, her every breath a testament to the satisfaction I'd brought her.

I couldn't shake the thoughts racing through my head – did I really enjoy drinking her urine? But with the alcohol still fogging my mind and exhaustion settling in, I couldn't dwell on it for long. My head was pounding, and all I wanted was to bask in the warmth of Candy's presence.

"Blackjack, Das war wirklich schön," Candy's voice washed over me, filling me with a sense of contentment. "I appreciate this intimate moment we shared. I'd like for it to happen again, if you're up for it."

"Of course, Candy. I want you by my side, now and forever," I replied, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

But as I lay there, tangled up in my thoughts, I couldn't help but wonder – was this feeling real, or just a byproduct of the alcohol and my own loneliness? I knew I had a tendency to fall hard and fast, but I also knew that real love wasn't always like it was in the movies.

I lay there beside Candy, my mind drifting into the depths of my thoughts. The words lingered on my lips, heavy with the weight of my emotions. "I hope we're together forever," I murmured, my voice barely a whisper in the quiet of the room.

The thought of being alone again, it scared me more than anything else. It's a feeling that's been gnawing at me for months now, like a cancer eating away at my soul. There've been moments when I've thought about ending it all, about taking that final step into the void. But something always held me back – the memory of my mother, Gin Rummy, and what she'd think if I went through with it.

But with Candy by my side, it feels like everythin's changed. Like there's finally a light at the end of the tunnel, a glimmer of hope in the darkness. I don't need to tear myself apart anymore, don't need to drown in the depths of my own despair. With her, I'm not alone – not now, not ever.

Never...

Chapter 8 - The Zebra Connection

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"Fuck you, Blackjack, I can handle shit on my own."

That was yours truly, Morning Glory. Twenty-one and counting, I ditched Thunderhead and Hoofington ages ago for a shot at a better life here in Marechester.

Get away from my folks and my sisters, you know? Want to toughen up, show 'em I ain't no pushover.

Assholes, one day I'm coming back to Hoofington, gonna settle scores with you three: Dusk, Moon Shadow, and 'my father.' Guess I should just call him Sky, he sure as hell don't deserve the title 'father.'

I'm sick of being just a damn shadow, known as 'Blackjack's plaything'. Well, screw that noise, 'cause it ain't gonna fly no more.

I'm worth more than that, and mark my words, I'm gonna prove it, you'll see.

Maybe I ain't some weapon expert or a hoof-to-hoof combat pro, but that's gonna change. Every day, I'm busting my ass to get stronger.

I ain't scared of taking a bullet or a beating, don't give a shit about that. I know I can handle it. No pain compares to being remembered as some whore, the sidekick of a suicidal idiot, chasing after fame and its decadence from grace.

And here she is, showing up at my doorstep bawling like a puppy. Hahahahah, now she's mine to command. She'll do anything I say just to get a piece of my pussy, you bet your ass.

Don't go thinking I'm some gullible fool, Blackjack. Your sad puppy-dog eyes ain't gonna sway me. I can see right through you.

On one hoof, I feel a tad guilty about using Blackjack to rid myself of those assholes who've been causing me grief, but I reckon it's only fair, considering all the crap I've been through on account of her.

I took advantage of her vulnerabilities to get her to do me these favors... and it makes me feel like some sorta manipulator. I never figured I'd stoop to such lows in my life, pulling the same moves ponies have pulled on me. Is it the right thing to do? I ain't got a clue. These days, it's hard to tell what's wrong and what's right. It's all about surviving until somepony takes you out. If you're lucky, you might live to a ripe old age, but only the luckiest and those who keep their noses outta trouble manage that.

But with all the problems in my life, it's impossible not to push boundaries I'd normally never even consider to achieve my goals. If I off Sky, the whole Thunderhead enclave's gonna be breathing down my neck.

No matter how much I beef up, I ain't gonna take on the whole enclave solo. I'd need somepony like Rampage to help, but she's got her own mess to sort out.

I feel for her, I really do. She's been on the run for most of her life, ever since they found out what they could do with her immortality. She had to split from us temporarily to keep us safe.

At some point, those enclave bastards are gonna sniff out where I'm hiding. So, I can't say I'm sitting pretty. Before I off Sky and my sisters, I gotta be ready. I gotta have my own crew to help me deal with this shitshow.

I got some new buddies I met here in Marechester, Comet Star and Linus. They're solid, always ready to lend a hoof when needed.

Linus, though, he's a bit hard to understand with that thick accent of his. He's always saying "An ting" and calling me "Rasta" for some reason. Beats me what it means, but it don't matter much. Even if his Equestrian ain't the best, he's still a good mate, and I know I can rely on him.

They should be swinging by in a bit, saying they got some trouble they need help with. Even though I ain't exactly a whiz with weapons, this could be a chance to step up and help out my pals.

Yesterday, they gave me the heads up they'd be swinging by, so I took the chance to get in some training. Knocked out forty push-ups with my wings, and I've been clocking in at seventy kilometers per hour, flying for a solid five minutes without feeling winded. It's a real accomplishment.

Just a while back, I pushed through one hundred and fifty burpees. Tough as nails, but I powered through it, sweating up a storm.

Got a little setup going in the spare room upstairs, turned it into a gym since it's just me and my cats around here. Can't let it gather dust and cobwebs, right?

Every now and then, I'll hit up the skatepark, work on my moves with my hoverboard. Got a couple of traditional skateboards too, with the classic wheels. Can't pick a favorite, they both got their charm.

I'm chilling on my couch, giving Bella, my kitten, some pets. Out of all my kittens, she's the chilliest, doesn't go clawing up my stuff. Although, she's got this weird habit of napping on top of the fridge. Cats, right? Always finding the weirdest spots to snooze.

They're the absolute cutest critters in all of Equestria, always putting a smile on my face. From their soft fur to their gentle purring, I'm head over hooves for 'em.

It's a relief to know that not all the animals got hit by the radiation. There's still a bunch out there that managed to escape its effects. But it breaks my heart seeing them out on the streets, all malnourished and struggling. Can't just leave 'em to suffer like that. Gotta do my part to give 'em a better shot at life.

I still remember the day my mother dropped that bomb on me: "No animals in my house." Ugh! She can be such a pain in the flank sometimes. Just one of the thousand reasons I packed my bags and found a place of my own.

Sure, she's done plenty for me, like getting us out of Thunderhead and sticking by me since I was just a foal. But she's got her moments, you know? Like the day I broke the news to her that I was flying the coop and planning to take care of my "family" myself.

My mom's over in Spanningfields, about fifteen minutes from here. You could fly there, but it's a real wing-tirer. Sometimes it's easier to just take the car, not that I'm in any hurry to visit her.

Great Ponytain's been a real blessing for us, nestled up here in the north of the Celestial Seas. You could say this side of Equestria's about as safe as it gets.

As I stroked Bella and locked eyes with her, I couldn't help but reminisce about the day I broke the news to my mom about moving to a different neighborhood. Spanningfields was packed, not a lot of empty houses. Ended up settling here in Charlton, the lower-class part of town.

It was night, and I'd just wrapped up another contract, finally getting paid in bottle caps. The last episode was a pain in the ass to record, but I didn't give a damn about the rest of it. It was all about the caps and hanging out with Rampage.

My mom's house was a typical two-story brown building, just like most of the houses in Marechester. Sometimes it's hard to tell them apart. It's not like Hoofington, where we lived in a rundown, mosquito-infested wreck. Here's cozier, at least, even if it's confusing that so many houses look the same.

"Mom, I'm here! Open up!" I rapped my hooves against the door, carrying two bags full of caps, enough to keep me going.

"Just a sec!" Her voice floated from somewhere inside, but I didn't hear her hoofsteps. She was probably flying over to the door.

My mother swung the door open with enthusiasm. "It's good to see you, dear. You're here earlier than usual," she greeted me with a warm smile, welcoming me into the house.

"Yeah, it was the final episode. Finally done with that torture. I feel... free, in a way. Got what I wanted," I replied, heaving the bags onto the living room floor.

My mother's smile faltered, replaced by a worried expression as she closed the door behind her. "Doesn't sound like you had much fun. I thought you, Rampage, and Blackjack were enjoying the dream show you'd all wanted for so long," she murmured, trailing after me as I made my way to the kitchen.

"It wasn't like that, Mom. Blackjack took over everything. It was HER damn show, not ours," I snapped, my frustration bubbling to the surface. I rummaged through the refrigerator, searching for my strawberry yogurt amidst the fruits, juices, and energy drinks—a stockpile that would last for months. But that yogurt? All mine.

"I see. And what about you and Blackjack? Isn't she coming to visit?" My mother's voice was soft, almost hesitant, as she hovered nearby, concern etched on her face.

"We're done," I replied bluntly, grabbing a clean spoon from the drawer and turning to face her. She stepped aside, silently acknowledging my need for space as I settled at the table with my yogurt.

My mother remained silent, slowly gliding to the other side of the table. My revelation had left her speechless, and I could see her struggling to find the right words. "I'm sorry to hear that, dear," she finally managed, her gaze shifting between me and the floor.

"It's okay, Mom. Now your hangouts with Gin Rummy might be a bit awkward, but it had to happen. I just couldn't stand Blackjack anymore," I replied, relishing the coolness of my yogurt and the air conditioning. I've always loved cold environments.

"Don't worry, we're still great friends... I suppose not everything lasts forever," my mother said, taking a seat opposite me at the table.

My mother doesn't know much about my life because I hardly ever talk to her about it. We rarely see eye to eye on anything, which is why I tend to keep things to myself. She doesn't want pets in the house, she worries about me skating because I might get hurt... It feels like she complains about everything I do. That's why once I'm done here, I'm moving out. I love her dearly, but sometimes she can be so annoying.

"I wonder what happened between you two, for it to end like this. Why didn't you tell me anything?" my mother asked, resting her head on her front hooves, her gaze fixed on me.

I let out a small sigh of annoyance. "Can we please stop talking about that bitch? I don't want to hear her name anymore. It just makes me sick," I snapped, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me. This wasn't like me—I don't usually talk to my mother this way.

My mother leaned back, a surprised sigh escaping her lips. "How dare you speak to your mother like that?! I've only ever worried about you."

"Yes, but I've had it with Blackjack! I don't want anything to do with that self-centered, whiny, suicidal piece of shit! I'm worth more than her, and I'll prove it. I'll become strong and independent, just wait and see," I declared, my voice rising with frustration. Our heated exchange echoed throughout the house, and soon enough, one of my younger sisters, Lucent, had come downstairs. The tranquility that had reigned before my arrival was now shattered by our argument.

My mother and I turned towards Lucent, who stood there with her head down, looking at us with innocent eyes. "Big sis? Mom? Are you fighting?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. She was too young to understand the adult topics we were discussing.

"No, sweetheart, we're just having a grown-up conversation. Why don't you go back to your room?" my mother reassured her, offering a smile to ease the tension.

"Really, Mom? From my room, I can hear both of you. You're yelling ugly things at each other," Lucent said, hugging her Cappy plush tightly, covering half of her face.

"We're just in a disagreement, sweetheart. We're not fighting," my mother said, her voice softened with sweetness.

"Why don't you go to your room and watch your cartoons?" she proposed to Lucent, smiling warmly. I understood her concern, but I didn't want Lucent to be involved in this discussion.

"I would like to, but I can't stand listening to you two yell at each other... I don't want Glory to leave, Mom," Lucent said, speaking slowly. What she said made me even more sad; she didn't know that I was leaving the house because of my own decision.

My mother held out a hoof for Lucent to come towards her.

Lucent slowly approached my mother, Dawn, who wanted to pick her up to comfort her and assure her that everything is okay.

"Listen, dear, your sister is not going anywhere. But you must understand that ponies, when they are adults, have all the freedom to leave the house and continue with their lives. But that doesn't mean that Glory no longer loves us. She's coming to visit us. Do you understand what I'm saying?" my mother asked, stroking Lucent's mane.

"I think so..." Lucent said, a little unsure.

"It's true, Lucent. I still love you a lot, you know? I'll stay a couple of days, and we'll play with my PonyStation all day. What do you think?" I suggested to Lucent, although I wanted to leave today. I should have thought a little more about my little sister. My departure must be painful for her.

Lucent looked at me, smiling with excitement. She was thrilled about the idea of playing with my console, as I never let her touch my stuff since she tends to break things. She has broken a lot of toys, but at times like these, it no longer mattered. "Of course I want to. You'll see how I beat you," Lucent said enthusiastically before trotting quickly towards my room, where I had my console stored.

My mother, watching Lucent disappear into the darkness of the second-floor hallway, turned back to me. "I'm glad you're at least trying to make your sister happy, Glory. I know I haven't been the best mother to you, but think about Lucent and how she would feel about all this."

"Sure, Mom. I'll stay one more week before I explain everything to her," I told my mother, putting my front hooves together on the table and looking down.

I sat there, reflecting on my situation. I had gotten so angry that I forgot about Lucent's feelings. Minutes later, my mother had left me alone, heading towards her room and saying goodnight to me. I love you, mom, but I have many problems that I must solve. One day, I will reveal to you my plans to deal with your husband and my other sisters. They mean nothing to me, but they must mean a lot to you.

Having finished eating, I headed to my room, flying to avoid keeping Lucent waiting for me. It was normal among pegasi, at least in my family, not to touch the ground with our hooves. We used our wings almost all the time.

When I got to my room, my little sister was already there, vigorously pressing the buttons on my console. Each hit on the buttons felt like a stab to me. I know I'm exaggerating, but games have become a crucial part of my life since I was a filly. It's incredible how they've evolved over the years.

I had to practically beg my mother to buy it for me. What great memories.

"Look, Glory! Look how I handle this ship," Lucent exclaimed, moving the controller as if she were playing. However, only the intro of the game, WipeOut 2085: Equestrian Championship, was playing. I couldn't help but laugh a little.

Before sitting next to her, I quickly gathered all the adult games like Resident Wicked 2 and Silent Town and stashed them in my backpack. I didn't want Lucent to beg me to play any of those.

"We'll see how good you are when you compete against me," I said, settling down next to her and connecting my controller.

What good memories. I should visit them more often, maybe next week. Right now, I can't.

I heard the sound of a car horn multiple times. I'm sure it must be Comet Star and Linus.

Bella, upon hearing the sound, had bolted away from my hooves and headed towards the second floor. She's very skittish; she probably went to lie down in my bed.

I flew towards the door and saw Comet's 1994 Marcedaz Banz E500, black. I'd recognize that car from a distance. I opened the door and flew a few kilometers forward.

"Hey, Morning, que pasa?" Comet Star greeted me as he got out of the car.

"Wah gwaan, rasta?" Linus said, emerging several seconds after Comet.

Both of them were in armor. I assumed that what we were about to do would be intense, more than I was used to.

"Hey guys, nice to see you both," I greeted them, raising my hoof slightly.

"Same, Morning. We have a surprise for you. It'll be useful for what we're going to do. We're taking down a gang that stole some weapons from Linus," Comet said, heading to the trunk of his car and opening it.

I flew closer to Comet, feeling worried about what he said. "How did it happen? Who were they?" I asked.

"I was sellin' my weapons on di corner an' ting. Den, several cars roll up an' dem was packed wid too many boys an' ting. Dem hit me. Mi couldn't do nuttin' against dem. Dem was too much. Dem take mi weapons an' never pay me. Mi want mi weapons back! Ya know?" Linus explained, gesturing with his hooves vigorously.

I remained silent for a few minutes, trying to decipher Linus's words. It seemed like he was talking about some sort of attack involving weapons and a group of assailants.

Comet, noticing my puzzled expression, stepped in to clarify. "What Linus is getting at is that he got jumped while peddling his goods. The Rogues. They not only jack stuff to flip it for a profit, but they also got a real beef with zebras," Comet elaborated, gesturing with his hoof towards me.

"I may not know them, but that's all the reason I need to put a bullet between their eyes," I responded, my tone carrying a hint of defiance.

"Dem bumbaclots, dem just nuh stop. I don't know why dem have it in fi we, y'know? Di war dun long time now. What's di point in carryin' dis hate?" Linus exclaimed, mimicking a sword swipe with his right hoof.

"Don't worry, Linus, we'll get those weapons back," I assured him, placing a hoof on his shoulder.

"Tank yuh, mi yout, I'm glad to have ya help," Linus replied, smiling gratefully at me.

"Yeah, with your help, this will be a breeze," Comet chimed in, nodding in agreement. He then gestured towards the trunk of his car. "Here's an armor for you. It's just the three of us against... well, who knows how many. This armor will come in hoofndy," he explained, acknowledging the potential danger we faced.

"It looks incredible," I remarked, eyeing the armor for a moment. It was black and yellow, with a radioactive trevol symbol emblazoned on the back. It likely offered protection against both physical harm and radiation.

I reached out with both front hooves to lift it, but to my surprise, I couldn't budge it. The weight was overwhelming, as if I were trying to lift three power armors with just one hoof.

"Cho! It woulda be easier if we had a unicorn with us, dem can lift objects an ting'," Linus remarked. But I wasn't about to admit defeat. I didn't need unicorns. I could do this myself.

"Well, it's a shame. We pegasi are strong too," I insisted, pushing against the heavy armor with all my might. It frustrated me to no end that I couldn't lift it, but I refused to give up.

"I know that I can!" I exclaimed, flapping my wings in an attempt to lift the armor. But it was futile. No matter how hard I tried, it remained stubbornly on the trunk. Why couldn't I lift it?

"Ostias, Glory, Linus and I will put it on the ground, vale?" Comet intervened, placing a hoof on my chest to gently push me back. I reluctantly complied, stepping away as they prepared to lift the armor.

With Linus and Comet working together, they strained against the weight of the armor. It was so heavy that even the car shook slightly, underscoring its massiveness. There was no way I could have lifted that alone.

Finally, with a collective effort, they managed to lower the armor to the ground. Comet wiped the sweat from his forehead as they released it.

"That's it, Glory. Just stand in the center, and the armor will automatically adapt to your body," Comet instructed, his voice tinged with relief.

I nodded and cautiously approached the armor, aligning myself in the center as instructed. As I positioned my hooves according to the glowing green squares, the armor emitted a soft hum, indicating that it had detected my movements.

With my wings folded neatly against my sides, I watched as the armor began to close around me, the process accompanied by a satisfying sound reminiscent of a closing door. Once it was fully secured, I marveled at how light and comfortable it felt, despite its imposing appearance. The interior of the armor maintained a pleasant coolness against the heat of the sun, and I couldn't help but admire the striking yellow and black color scheme of my newly adorned wings.

"Do you like it? Linus modified it for you," Comet remarked, nudging Linus with a playful smirk.

Linus, looking somewhat bashful, replied, "Bu' it's not fi di reason ya think, rude bwoy. She's a parri."

Suppressing a laugh, I covered my mouth with a hoof. "Oh, come on, Comet. You know how Linus gets whenever you bring up THAT day."

"Yeah, you know I like teasing him with that," Comet said, his laughter subsiding as he cleared his throat. "I think we should go." He paused, his gaze shifting between Linus and me. "Not all of us can fit in the car, so, Glory, you should fly. And Linus, who are you going with?" The weight of our armor would likely cause the car's body to sink low to the ground.

Linus pondered his options, scratching his chin thoughtfully.

"Why don't you come with me? I can take you. Have you ever wondered what Marechester looks like from above?" I offered, knowing that Linus often showed a vulnerable and shy side when alone with me. He was so tender in those moments.

"I don't know, mi sista. Me nah really like heights," Linus admitted, his nerves evident in his slower speech.

"I won't let you fall, I promise. Besides, it might be fun," I reassured Linus, extending a hoof toward him.

"Alright, rasta, but nuh fly too high, seen?" Linus said slowly, trotting towards me.

"Perfecto. The Rogues are located in Bello Vue. I'm going to guide you there, and we'll plan the attack," Comet said, closing the trunk of his car.

I nodded and flew up a little, extending a hoof. "Give me your hoof," I said to Linus.

Linus slowly extended his hoof towards mine, avoiding making eye contact with me. He seemed embarrassed, likely remembering the day I slept with him.

Taking both of Linus's hooves, he blushed and looked away.

"Alright, chavales, get ready," Comet said, getting into his car and turning it on.

Linus also had armor, but I could carry him without feeling him too heavy; my armor gave me the ability to lift heavy objects.

As Linus and I rose higher and higher, he began to move his hind hooves nervously, picking them up and sighing in a somewhat hurried manner.

"Yo, yo, yo! Yu tink we goin' too high, rude gyal?" Linus blurted out, his voice tinged with urgency.

"I have to go at this height so you don't hit objects like traffic lights," I assured him, gathering and spreading his hooves again and again.

I took to the skies, keeping a careful eye on Comet's movements below. My goal was to maintain a steady pace, neither too fast nor too slow, ensuring that Linus could keep up without feeling overwhelmed. Bello Vue was unfamiliar territory for me, so I relied on Comet's lead to navigate the streets below.

As I flew, the bustling life of Marechester unfolded beneath me. Foals pedaled their tricycles with youthful exuberance, accompanied by watchful parents guiding them along. Ponies of all kinds trotted purposefully towards their destinations, while overhead, other pegasi soared gracefully through the sky.

Despite the usual hustle and bustle, I remained vigilant, mindful of the need to avoid collisions with anypony below. Every street corner held the potential for surprise, every rooftop a potential obstacle. Yet, with each flap of my wings, I maintained a steady course, determined to see this mission through to the end.

My attention was momentarily diverted to the stallion on my right, engaged in animated conversation with his friend via a Pipbuck. It seemed their family might have originated from a Stable, given their familiarity with the device.

"Did you read Iplay magazine? Resident Wicked 3 finally went on sale," the stallion exclaimed with palpable excitement, deftly navigating through the crowd as he spoke.

His friend's response was more subdued. "No, I won't be able to go to the races with the lads, I have to go to work," he lamented, deftly maneuvering to avoid bumping into other ponies.

The stallion sighed in disappointment. "You know my parents are a duo of wazzocks, they don't want to buy me the game, so I'll have to get it myself," he complained, prompting a nearby mare to cover her filly's ears at the colorful language.

"But hey, we could have a sleepover and play all night, skip school. That place is bloomin' boring," he suggested enthusiastically, his gaze briefly shifting to me and Linus as he approached the restaurant.

"Wow, that's some sick armor you two have there. Does it come from some video game?" the young stallion inquired, his eyes widening with curiosity as he took in our armor.

"Not really, they're armors that were used during the war," I replied with a smile, appreciating his innocent curiosity.

"That's really cool," the stallion remarked before disappearing into the restaurant.

I love this area of Charlton; the avenue boasts all kinds of businesses, and you don't have to travel extremely far to get basic goods. There are many restaurants, pharmacies, bars, and convenience stores. I definitely don't regret my decision to live here.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the skatepark. I have to fly ten minutes to get there, but I can tolerate it.

"We look proper like Amber Aura, innit? I'm well into her tunes and her swag," one mare remarked, gently touching her hair, proud of the outcome. Her hair was long and black, mirroring Aura's style, and she wore a black dress.

"Same 'ere, sis. Did you clock the gear she had on in her Whisper music vid? It's exactly what I'm sportin'," her twin added, sporting a white dress and a very long ponytail.

"I s'pose you caught it on EMT, innit? That telly channel that dishes out music vids. Only the bleedin' lucky ones get to watch it; snaggin' a telly ain't no cheap task," the mare observed, examining herself in a mirror held with her wings.

"You could always swap out summat you don't need for a telly," her twin suggested.

"I ain't got nuffin' to swap, and you know what they're after if I ain't got the caps," the mare replied, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"Sex," both mares chimed in simultaneously. I couldn't help but laugh at their conversation. Sex has become the number one means of pleasure in all of Great Ponytania, much like Hoofington.

As we continued through the neighborhood, we came across a mother sitting on a bench with her foal, who was engrossed in playing with an RC car. They were conversing in a foreign tongue, a common sight in Marechester. For these ponies, mastering Equestrian was a necessity; without it, they'd struggle to communicate with others in this city.

"Mamma, guarda, va così la mia macchinina, brr brr!" exclaimed the colt excitedly, steering the RC car around with enthusiasm, occasionally crashing it into nearby walls. But his joy was undeterred by the mishaps; all he wanted was to revel in the moment.

"Stai attento con quella macchinina, potresti ferire qualcuno. E non voglio nemmeno che tu la usi vicino alla strada, è pericoloso" the foal's mother cautioned with a worried tone, releasing a weary sigh. Motherhood, it seemed, was far from the idyllic image often portrayed.

We had arrived at Bello Vue, and it wasn't quite what I had expected. The neighborhood seemed ordinary enough, though there weren't many ponies around. Nevertheless, the impending shootout with The Rogues would undoubtedly send the locals into a panic. Unfortunately, there wasn't much we could do about that.

The Rogues were holed up in a dead-end alley in Callington CI. Some of them loitered outside the houses, sporting black sleeveless leather jackets and bandages on their foreheads. They seemed to be mostly earth ponies and unicorns, not particularly formidable. I reckoned we could handle them without much trouble.

Negotiation didn't seem like a viable option either. Asking politely, "Please, could you return the weapons you took without paying?" might have worked in old Equestria, but in the current state of affairs? Highly unlikely.

Comet parked a little ways from The Rogues' location, presumably to avoid drawing attention. They must know him and Linus, so it's wise not to reveal our presence just yet.

I carefully set Linus down, ensuring he landed safely. Flying low the whole way wasn't easy, especially with the lampposts, but I understood his fear of heights.

Comet stepped out of the car, opening the back door. "Here, I've got the weapons we'll use." With one hoof, he produced an M4A1, extending it toward me, while he held three magazines with another hoof.

I took the M4A1 and the magazines, stashing them in my mane. I couldn't help but wonder about Linus. With Comet arming himself with two IMI UzIs, it left Linus unarmed.

"What about Linus? Shouldn't he have a weapon? It could be dangerous for him to be unarmed," I asked, a hint of concern in my voice.

"Don' worry, rude gyal, mi armor mek me invisible fi a likkle bit, mi can drop some a dem bloodclots an' tek dem weapons to defend meself," Linus explained, retrieving a combat knife from his lengthy mane, which cascaded down his back and covered half of his left eye.

"Linus takes the fight against Babylon very seriously, even if he uses a pencil while the others use swords," Comet said, reloading his two Uzis.

"That's right mi breda, mi weapons dem haffi deh hidden inna some a dem houses, we gonna haffi search fi dem separately an' mek sure say nopony try fi escape wid dem, even if we ain't got nutten fi cover we heads wid," Linus remarked, gesturing towards potential cover points with his knife. "We can use di cars an' walls fi cover," he added, lowering his knife.

I was rubbing my front hoof with the other out of embarrassment because I didn't really understand what Linus said. "We have to cover ourselves with cars and walls, I got that part, but the rest of it, what did you say?" I asked.

"He says that the weapons must be in some of the houses and that we should search for them separately, that way it would be faster," Comet explained. It also made me feel bad that he had to translate what Linus said to me.

I hadn't had much contact with Zebras before, Vagina—oops, I mean, Majina doesn't count 'cause she was born in Equestria, not Nazabre.

"Thank you for the clarification, and Linus, I'm sorry if sometimes I can't understand you, I know it has been an impediment to being able to communicate," I explained to Linus.

"Don't fret, Glory, one day ya gonna get de hang o' mi accent, dat's how Comet learned to get mi, y'know," Linus said, glancing at me briefly before turning to ready his knife. "But fo' now, let's focus on fightin' Babylon."

"That's right, Glory, don't worry about that now, let's kill those gilipollas," Comet gave me a few small touches on my back, then turned to Linus's side.

I flew as low as possible to avoid making noise with my armor, which could give away our position. Standing beside Linus and Comet, I followed Comet's signal towards a nearby car, which would serve as our temporary hiding spot.

As we advanced cautiously, The Rogues carried on with their daily activities. Some played Buckball in the street, others lounged in the corners smoking, and a few indulged in alcohol, discarding their bottles and cigarettes carelessly onto the ground, contributing to the city's grime.

A group sat inside a Velkswagen Karmann-Ghia 1600 L, tuning in to the beloved Moving Darkness radio, a popular Drum & Bass station in Great Ponytania.

We maneuvered to the other side of the street without drawing attention. I refrained from peering through the car's windows to avoid unnecessary exposure, having already scoped out the area. Five houses lined the street until it culminated in a dead end; the weapons we sought must be hidden within one of them.

"The plan's simple: Linus uses his armor to go invisible and take out a Rogue. When the chaos ensues, we open fire. Got it, Glory?" Comet asked, focusing his gaze on me, raising an eyebrow.

"Roger that," I affirmed. We just needed to await the signal.

Linus and Comet exchanged nods, indicating they'd already hashed out the details before my inclusion in the mission.

Linus activated his armor, rendering himself invisible save for his floating knife. I watched in astonishment, marveling at the capabilities of zebra technology, a sight I'd never witnessed firsthoof.

Linus left the hiding spot and made his way toward the scattered garbage cans along the street. He discreetly stashed his knife behind one of them, avoiding raising suspicions about a floating blade.

With patience, Linus waited for a Rogue who was smoking to turn around, presenting an opportunity for attack. The Rogue had a Remingten 870 Shorty shotgun beside him.

As the Rogue turned, Linus seized the moment, swiftly slicing his throat. Blood gushed out, and the Rogue's scream pierced the air.

Without hesitation, Linus grabbed the Remingten 870 and delivered a fatal shot to the Rogue's head. The impact was devastating—his skull exploded into a gruesome fountain of blood and brain matter, painting the surroundings with a macabre splatter. Fragments of skull and brain scattered across the street, trash cans, and nearby walls.

"GO!" Comet exclaimed, standing on two hooves and unleashing a barrage of gunfire from his Uzis. His aim wasn't just focused on the Rogues; he also targeted the tires of their vehicles, ensuring none could escape. Though he missed hitting any Rogues directly, he managed to deflate several tires with precision shots.

I took flight and joined the fray, squeezing off rounds from my M4A1 at the scattering Rogues. They darted for cover, making it nearly impossible to land a shot. "FUCK!" I muttered under my breath, frustration boiling as my shots missed their marks, despite firing off fifteen rounds.

"It's that damn zebra cocksucker! Kill 'em all, and that whore with 'em too!" one of the Rogues barked from behind cover, his voice dripping with frustration and malice.

Zebra Culture Music

What the hell did he just call me? Did he call me a whore? I'll smash his fucking head!

I don't let anypony insult me like that. When I get the chance, I'll personally take care of that son of a bitch. For now, I can't because I have several Rogues aiming at me. I don't want them to manage to shoot me in the neck or another part of my head. It's the only thing I don't have covered.

Comet made a roll on the ground, seeking cover behind another car a few meters ahead of me, where he swiftly began to reload his two Uzis.

Linus, meanwhile, hunkered down against the wall of a nearby house, no doubt strategizing his next move.

"Shit, they killed Brisk! Shit, shit!" cried another of The Rogues, his voice with fear. Well, you should've thought before attacking my friend. You're gonna die too.

Shooting at the cars where they're hiding wouldn't work. Cars are tough to explode, and they're the best cover on the street.

I noticed a Rogue advancing towards us with a 44.Magnum. He was a unicorn, taking shots toward Comet's position. I aimed at him and fired multiple rounds into his chest and right hoof, dropping him dead. I ducked back into cover, pumped with adrenaline, celebrating my first kill. I hoped for more.

Linus had aimed at a car, shattering its windows. Glass sprayed everywhere, sending the Rogue inside scrambling for cover. Linus seized the opportunity, closing in and blasting him at point-blank range with his shotgun. The impact blew off the Rogue's hoof, coating Linus in blood. I could see the floating blood, evidence of his invisible armor still at work.

The motherfucker who insulted me was still breathing, and I was hell-bent on ending him. I made a risky move, bursting out of my hiding spot and flying up high. With only two Rogues left on the street, one was taking potshots at Linus, who was holding his ground, bullets bouncing off his armor. Linus fired back, not managing to kill the Rogue but providing enough cover to seek refuge.

Comet took down the Rogue targeting Linus, riddling his body with bullets from both Uzis. From my aerial view, I witnessed it all unfold.

The remaining Rogue spotted me and fired. The bullet slammed into my chest, but strangely, I felt no pain. I made sure not to land directly facing him, avoiding exposing my head, and touched down on two hooves right in front of him.

As I landed, the ground quivered under the weight of my armor, causing him to stagger slightly. Before he could aim his gun at me, I thrust my right hoof forward with all my strength. It pierced through his ribs, shattering bone and tearing flesh as it plunged into his chest cavity. He let out a bloodcurdling scream, tears streaming down his face as agony gripped him.

With a determined grip, I seized his heart from around the aorta, yanking it forcefully from his body. Blood gushed forth, drenching me in crimson spray, but I paid it no mind.

His lifeless form crumpled to the ground, leaving behind a spreading pool of scarlet. In my hoof, I held his still-beating heart, squeezing it like a ripe tomato until it burst, splattering gore in all directions.

Comet and Linus cautiously emerged from their hiding spots, approaching me as they took in the scene. I could tell they were unfazed; they'd seen worse before. They carefully avoided looking at the lifeless body of The Rogue.

"Aw'right, di res' of di batty bwoys must be hidin' inna di houses. We gotta check each one till we find di weapons," Linus declared, reloading his shotgun with a smooth pull of the fore-end. The spent cartridge clattered to the street, mingling with the blood, discarded cigarettes, and shattered alcohol bottles. The stench of the street was bound to worsen, and unfortunately, somepony else would have to clean up our mess.

"I'll be checking this house," Comet declared, indicating the one adjacent to us. Linus and I nodded in agreement, with Linus heading to the one next to Comet's choice.

I made my way into the first house, taking note that it appeared deserted from our earlier reconnaissance. Nonetheless, it wouldn't hurt to have a look around.

The stench of cigarettes assaulted my nostrils as I entered, indicating the presence of the Rogues. They sure had a fondness for smoking, these bastards.

Flying silently to avoid giving away my position, I kept my M4A1 at the ready, prepared for any surprises.

I doubted they'd be foolish enough to stash the weapons in plain sight in the living room, but I checked anyway.

The room surprised me; unlike the chaos outside, it was neat and orderly, with a clean white interior illuminated by a warm yellow ceiling lamp.

I searched under pieces of furniture, hoping to uncover something of value, but came up empty-hoofded. The dust under there nearly had me sneezin' my head off, so I moved on quickly.

With the house bein' so small, I figured the second floor wouldn't take me long to cover, I headed on up.

As I climbed the second step, the open window at the end of the hallway allowed the sound of gunfire to drift in from outside. Linus's shotgun blasts mingled with the staccato rhythm of Comet's Uzis and the sporadic shots from The Rogues, creating a chaotic symphony of violence.

Could it be that I'd stumbled into an empty house? To find out, I pressed on, my ears attuned to the distant battle raging outside.

Approaching three doors, I assumed two to be bedrooms and the other the bathroom. Figuring the bathroom wouldn't likely be a hiding spot, I opted to leave it be for now.

I cautiously pushed open the door to the first room, closest to the stairs. Peeking inside, I scanned the space for any sign of activity before easing myself in, careful not to disturb the squeaky door.

What I found inside was a scene straight out of a nightmare. Playpony magazines littered the floor, and... well, let's just say the bed was adorned with more than just sheets.

As I stepped into the room, a pungent, sickly-sweet odor assaulted my senses, curling into my nostrils like a putrid fog. It was the unmistakable stench of sex, thick and cloying, saturating the air with its musky presence.

The bed was now a grotesque tableau of depravity. Stains, dark and viscous, marred its surface, the unmistakable remnants of countless lewd acts. The fabric now bore the marks of debauchery, its fibers soaked and stained with the evidence of lust.

I couldn't help but recoil. This wasn't just a bed; it was a desecrated altar to carnal desire, a shrine to the basest instincts of ponykind. And amidst it all, the stench of sperm hung heavy in the air, a foul reminder of the depravity that had taken place here.

As I approached the next room, the sound of tearing paper caught my attention, like somepony frantically trying to conceal evidence. Peeking inside, I saw a Rogue sitting in a chair, tearing at papers with an air of desperation, his AK-47 lying nearby.

Without hesitation, I flew sideways and unleashed a barrage of bullets, ripping through his chest and neck, the wall and his belongings splattered with blood as his lifeless body slumped to the ground.

Curiosity gnawed at me as I approached, picking up a piece of paper marked 'Missing' in red. What could be missing? Further investigation revealed more papers, each bearing the image of a missing foal. It was a disturbing sight, one that raised more questions than answers.

As I pondered the significance of the discovery, a nagging feeling tugged at the back of my mind. Was this connected to our mission, or just a coincidence? With time of the essence, I knew I couldn't afford to be distracted by mysteries beyond our objective.

"Yo, mi breda! I just found di weapons!" Linus exclaimed, his voice carrying from the second floor window of the house where he was.

I headed out of the house, the sounds of guns firing echoing nearby, likely from where Comet was. Before moving forward, I reloaded my M4, just in case more trouble lurked ahead. I didn't know much about that gang, but I had a feeling there might be more of them ready to strike at any moment.

Exiting the house, I found Linus with a pack of weapons, one in his mouth and another on his back. It looked heavy, and he dropped the one from his mouth onto the ground.

"We finally did it! I did a good job, right?" I asked Linus eagerly, hoping for some reassurance about my performance.

Linus's armor stopped concealing him, revealing his orange eyes. He raised his mane with a hoof to get a better look at me. "Of course, dawg, you did a good job, ya also protected Comet and helped me get mi weapons. Celestia bless ya, my yute."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Not only did I help my friends, but I've also become more skilled. Though I haven't killed many, I still did better than I thought.

Comet emerged from the house, one of his Uzis lacking a magazine, suggesting he ran out of bullets. He kept both Uzis in his mane. "Phew, we finally found the weapons. I only found porn magazines and many bottles of Pimms," he remarked, approaching Linus to assist with the weapon packs.

"Believe me, I found something worse, semen on a bed," I said, adopting a sarcastic tone, though the reality was far from trivial.

"Hahahah, that's very typical. I'm sorry you had to go through that. It must have been an unpleasant sight for you," Comet replied, showing understanding.

I raised a front hoof and bent it. "Pshh, not really. By the way, how do you think I did today?" I asked.

"Muy flipante, to tell the truth. You've improved a lot. I appreciate you helping me and Linus," Comet replied. He lowered his hoof, which had been raised while speaking to me.

Excellent. My role here was wonderful. If I continue like this, I won't have so many problems dealing with more dangerous situations or even taking down an entire gang or my 'family' by myself. I couldn't help but raise my hoof a little, squeeze it, and lower it while saying "Hell Yeah!" in my mind.

"Whenever yuh want, yuh can call me, and I bring yuh weapons at a low price. Even if we are bredren, I can't give dem to yuh for free, 'cause I need di caps to eat and ting, seen?" Linus said, chuckling. Sometimes when he speaks, it sounds like he's rapping.

"I understand, thanks Linus, I'll call you when I need some. And the M4? Shall I give it back to you?" I asked, uncertain if I could keep the gun without paying for it.

"Nuh, ya don't need to pay dat one," Linus replied as he trotted with Comet back towards his car.

"I suppose you will return home on your own, Glory," Comet said.

Glancing behind, I noticed the Velkswagen of one of the rogues still parked there. It was a classic piece of art; I couldn't let it go to waste. "Don't worry, I already found a new way to get back."

"Alright, thanks for your help, chavala. We'll see you soon. Take care," Comet bid farewell, raising a hoof in parting.

"One love, rasta," Linus chimed in, making the same gesture.

Returning the gesture, I said goodbye to them. I hoped to see them soon; I was sure they must be busy with other matters.

I flew to the Velkswagen. I would've liked to stay and admire its beauty, but with corpses about to rot nearby, I got into the car immediately. Luckily, the keys were inside, so I didn't have to search for them.

The car didn't have a single bullet hole, suggesting it must work perfectly. I turned it on and prepared to head home.

The weight of the armor made the body of the car sag a little, but when I accelerated, I didn't hear it hit the ground directly. With a determined look, I pushed down on the pedal and headed back home; my kittens had been alone for too long, and I was sure they must miss me.

Fallout Equestria: Mona Lisa Overdrive

by AndyHunter

Introduction: What Has My Wonderful Land of Friendship And Magic Become?

Prologue - Course of Nature

Chapter 1 - Mer de Noms

Chapter 2 - 3 Libras

Chapter 3 - Powerless, Fearfulness & Weakness

Chapter 4 - Hospital of Confusion

Chapter 5 - The Last Card I Have Left To Play

Chapter 6 - Negative Space

Chapter 7 - Healing Rain

Chapter 8 - The Zebra Connection

The Moonshadow Resonance