• Published 29th Mar 2012
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Fallout Equestria: Mineko's Virtue - tigrean



This story takes place in the Fallout Equestria world and centers around Mineko and her travels.

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Fallout Equestria: Mineko's Virtue Ch 9

Ch. 9

Promises to Keep

(Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.)

After I left Homage’s penthouse I headed to the guard post, inside the tower to see if I could get access to the firing range and training facilities. Well as I was heading to the post I passed by the steel ranger that came in the same evening that we did, It’s kind of hard to miss them because of the power armor and he was the only that I was aware of that was at the tower. I noticed he was heading toward Homage’s pent house. Once I reached the post I talk with the desk clerk and asked, “Is Chief Grim Star in?”

The clerk looked at me and said, “I’m sorry he is not in while checking on a lead to a possible infiltration. Can I be of assistance?”

“Well,” I replied, “I would like to get some rubber ammunition and access to the firing range and possibly a training facility?”

“Oh,” the clerk continued, “The firing range is booked till the middle of the week as for the training facility only authorized guard ponies are able to use it. I can direct you to Deputy Chief Long Arm to procure some rubber bullets but there will be a fee for them.”

“Ok sounds reasonable, where do I find him? Also do I book the firing range here or do I need to go somewhere else?” I asked.

“No, I can book the firing range.” She started working on a computer, “Let’s see I have an opening on Wednesday all day and Thursday from eight in the morning to noon.”

“Can I get both days please?” I asked.

“Not a problem as long as you are a resident of the tower.” She replied.

“Yes, I’m actually booking it for Mister Noctu. He is busy at the moment and I’m working as his personal assistant since he is gone quite often, doing whatever he is doing.” I replied as in my mind the white pony said, ‘that’s it darling, elegant, dignified, and most important confidence.’

“I see well let me check here,” after a brief pause the clerk continued, “It seems it all checks out I have the days book for you, let Mister Noctu know we appreciate everything he has done for us.”

“Thank you and I will relay your message, and about the rubber bullets?” I replied.

“Yes,” she replied, “Deputy Chief Long Arm’s office is just down that hall and to the left.” She points to the hall.

“Thank you.” I head down the hall and I noticed Little Pip in an office to the right laying on a couch as I reached Long Arm’s office. He had a quant office, a single door with his name on it. I stopped and knocked at the door and waited a second.

“Just a minute,” he grumbled from the office. I heard him get up and start moving towards the door, I could tell he was a big stallion as I heard his hooves clop on the floor. “This better be important so help me and if it’s you Axel you better run before I kick your ass.” He finally opened the door and had a grim look on his face and he stood a body length taller than me. I’ve never felt so small towards a pony in my life. He snorted, and said, “Well you ain’t Axel, so I guess you can come in.” He moved back away from the door to let me in, and he trotted back to his desk, “What can I do for you?”

I replied, “Yes, well,” I try to keep my voice cracking, “I’m the assistant to Mr. Noctu and I was interested in acquiring some rubber bullets for, for practice, because he has some friends from out of town coming that are interested in shooting some guns while visiting. I’ve already book the range for him now all I need are the bullets.”

He just stared at me scrutinizing for what felt like an eternity and he then replied, “How many bullets and what size do you need?”

I tried to hide my sigh of relief, “180 9mm pistol rounds, and 120 10mm pistol rounds.”

He pulled a form from his desk, filled it out, and handed it to me and said, “Here is the requisition form for the rubber bullets, once you leave my office go left down the hall to the pickup window. The quartermaster will get the bullets for you and it will 540 bottle caps, make sure you give him the money.”

“Thank you,” I got up and headed out of the office to the window and got the bullets and left the station back to Shadous’ apartment. Hopefully he will know of a place that we can start Butter Cup with melee training then the next day will be to the range at eight am.

* * *

On the next day after consulting Shadous and Tempest I went to wake up Butter Cup for her first day of training. Shadous managed to talk with Miss Shadow and she had a large dance room at her club that we could “rent” for our Melee training for the week, also Tempest was willing to teach her how to Shoot when we had the ranges. She also offered to give lessens in Hoof to Hoof combat for Butter Cup. My only responsibility was only to train her in melee so she could take care of herself and by her request so she could share the responsibility in watches while we are out in the Wasteland. Well Tempest headed to the training area an hour before I was to wake up Butter Cup to start her basic training. So right has the sun rose I went to her room with a couple trashcan lids and held them in my telekinetic field and slammed them together at a fast beat and as loud as I could make them sound.

As soon as the clamoring started Butter Cup screamed and jumped at least 6 feet above her bed, I did my best not to laugh but it was hilarious. I then yelled, “Alright soldier it’s time to wake up for training you have 5 minutes to clean up and get out of the room and have breakfast! If you are not out with in the 5 minutes you will not get breakfast is THAT CLEAR!”

Butter Cup gave a confused look and replied, “What the hay Mineko. Are ya alright, it’s way too early fer this,” As she yawned.

“You have four minutes, now get moving or you will not get any breakfast!” I replied and walked out.

“Are ya serious!? Or is this some kind of joke?” She replied.

I yelled back, “Three minutes and thirty seconds!”

After that I believe she got the picture and right at the end of the time she got out and stood before me with a confused look. I replied, “Ok well come and eat up you need to get ready for your training and the reason it’s so early I need to teach all you need to know within a week, because we don’t have the luxury that my parents had with me, so you are getting a crash training in all combat arts this week and you will have to find your little niche during the course of our travels. Now you have ten minutes to eat,” as I sat at the table. On the table Tempest cooked some eggs, toast and a box of Orange Juice for each of us.

“Are ya serious how am AH goin’ ta digest all of this before we start training,” as she waved her fore hooves over the meal.

“I assure you I am very serious, and if you want more time well you will have to get up earlier, now eat up.” So we quickly ate from that point on she didn’t say any more. Once we finished breakfast we headed out unfortunately Butter Cup was unable to finish her food so she took what could and finished it on the way. I may be trying to make this experience like the military but it really isn’t she is still my little sister I just wanted to fulfill my promise to her.
We reached the area and Tempest was sitting there just waiting for us with her eyes closed and I was about to say something, and she interrupted me, “Mineko, Butter Cup, morning to you both.”

“Morning,” I replied.

“Mornin’,” Butter Cup said.

“Ok, well if we are ready I want Butter Cup to come at me.”

“Really, but why?” Butter Cup asked.

“Because for me to train you in Hoof to Hoof combat I need to know what you can do first,” Tempest replied, “so come at me.”

“Ok, but yer eyes are closed, ah don’t think it’s fair if you have yer eyes closed while ah can still use mine,” she replied.

“It is much fairer than you think, so come at me.”

“OK, ah guess,” then Butter Cup ran at her with all her speed looking like she was trying to clothesline Tempest. Just before she reached her, Tempest opened her eyes, with one graceful movement her wings flared and she spun and had Butter Cup on the ground pinned with a series of hooflocks.

“First of all why were you trying to clothesline me, and second what else do you think you did wrong?” Tempest asked.

“AH thought it would be the best attack ta do when ah was chargin’, ‘cause ah ain’t big enuf ta tackle ya and keep ya on the ground.” Butter Cup paused and continued, “The other thing did wrong ah have no idea.”

“Well it was a good idea to try that attack but you are not a pegasus. Pegasi are strong in the fore legs, as for a second reason you did not have the weight to do it effectively.” Tempest said in a scholarly tone, “The second reason for failing to make contact is you hesitated when my wings flared and in that brief moment could be life or death.”

“So what are ya tryin’ ta say?”

“That when you are in a fight hesitation can be life threatening,” Tempest replied, she let Butter Cup off the floor.

“So what’s next?”

“We train,” Tempest replied. “First we need to teach you the basics in the difference between all the pony races. First of all we will start with the pegasus, we are not very strong in the back legs but are stronger in the fore legs, we have extra appendages that can help us with holds, and we can fly. Earth Ponies are sturdier and are much stronger in their back legs than their front. While unicorns have the most unknown of powers that varies greatly between each individual,their magic, other than that they are pretty much equal between front and back legs, but weaker physically than the other races.”

“Ok, So what are ya tryin’ ta say?”

“Simple,” Tempest continued, “you need to learn how to use your rear legs.”

“How,” Butter Cup asked, “it seems rather hard ta do that especially when ya are in the middle of combat.”

“That is why I’m going to teach you the duck, spin and kick.” Tempest replies, “It is very effective against attacks that are aimed high.”

The rest of the morning I watched Tempest continue to teach Butter Cup Hoof to Hoof combat then we broke for lunch. I could see that Butter Cup was getting to the point of exhaustion but she kept on like a good little soldier. After lunch it was my turn to start her on Melee training.

I gave her a dagger and showed her how to grip it with her mouth. I also attached a sheath for it on her front right shoulder. I had her practice pulling it and sheathing it for about 15 minutes until it was second nature. “Alright Butter Cup,” I said, “Now it is time to learn how to use it.” I hovered one of the wooden practice daggers I made and I took my own in my telekinetic field and we started to spar.

“Thisth is hard ta gith usthe to,” she tried to speak, “yall unicornsth are lucky with your magicth.”

I smacked her on the flank with my dagger. “Concentrate Butter Cup, “I reprimanded her, “your enemies would not stop if you tried to talk and fight at the same time.” We continued to spar for the rest of the day. I would give her tips and she would consistently get better but the day was draining her. Near the end of the day I was noticing many mistakes because of how tired she was. Finally I said, “Enough let us call it a day,” and she practically collapse right then and there.

“AH am plum tuckered out,” Butter Cup exclaimed.

“Well lets clean this place up and we will go home,” I replied. We quickly cleaned up and once we were done I noticed that Butter Cup was fighting to stay awake, so I quickly picked her up and gentle sat her on my back. I said “You go ahead relax just be ready for tomorrow you will learn how to shoot.”

“Really,” she yawned, “Ah guess ah will have ta get up early again huh?”

“Yeap,” I replied, I waited for a response and didn’t get one so I looked on my back and I saw she was slumped and had a rhythmic breathing. I figured out quickly she fell asleep once she was comfortable on my back.

“Ah love ya Mineko,” she muttered in her sleep as we walk back to the apartment.

* * *

The next day I went to wake up Butter Cup but noticed she was already awake and ready to go, “Morning Butter Cup. Go ahead and grab some breakfast.”

“Mornin’, Mineko, So what are we doin’ taday?” She asked.
As we walked to the table we passed the living room, Tempest was there cleaning a couple of guns, I replied “Tempest is going to take you to the range and you are going to learn how to shoot and take care of firearms.”

“Ya serious?” her eyes lit up.

“Yeap I promised if you learned how to protect yourself that I will start letting you help out with watches like a grown filly. I intend to keep that promise if you keep up what you are doing right now.” We then sat down to eat.
Tempest stuck her head through the door way and said, “I’m going to head to the range and get everything set up for Butter Cup’s training.”

“Alright, we will be there shortly,” I replied. So we finished breakfast and then headed out as we were leaving, noticed Shadous was awake.

He stopped me and then said, “I have to go take care of some business and won’t be back till the end of the week. You and Tempest are welcome to continue to use my apartment until I get back.”

“Thanks, Shadous, this really means a lot to me.”

“It’s not a problem,” he replied, “besides its better than trying to get a visitors permit and living in a temporary room.” We then left to the firing range.

We reached the firing range and Tempest was waiting with a very serious look in her eyes. Once we entered she spoke, “Now take your seats, before I take you to actually fire a gun I first need to explain some rules beforehoof.” We sat down and Butter Cup paid close attention to her. “First of all do not be afraid of the gun unless it is pointed at you, guns don’t kill ponies, ponies kill ponies. Second even though we are using non-lethal rounds we will still treat each gun as if it has lethal rounds. Third there is no horseplay on the range, now pay attention I’m gonna explain the rules for the guns themselves.”

“But wait,” Butter Cup said with a confused look, ”Ah thought we were goin’ through then already?”

“Yes, but the rules I just stated was for the range itself,” Tempest replied, “I emphasized and separated them because they are the most important rules for firearms.” She cleared her throat and continued, “Rule 1, always treat a firearm as if it is loaded even if it isn’t! Rule 2, never point a firearm at somepony or something you are not prepared to shoot! Rule 3, Always be sure of your target and what is behind it! Rule 4, Keep off the trigger until you are ready to fire! Always follow these rules no matter what, as you get better they will be second nature to you just like they are for me.”

“Wow, that seems like a lot ta remember,” Butter Cup replied.

“Trust me when I’m done with you they will be drilled into you and you WILL NOT FORGET!” Tempest replied as she moved right into Butter Cup’s face. “First order of business is to teach you how to hold the gun and the stance you should be in to fire.” She pulled a gun out that was completely unloaded and open, and said, ”Mineko can you please verify that this weapon is clear and safe.”

I walked up and looked at the weapon and then I said, “Yes it is clear and safe.”

“Good,” she replied, “Butter Cup, front and center, this is what we call condition four. We put our weapons in this condition any time we get a new one or before and after we do the maintenance on them, also when we are giving the weapon to another pony. Most of the time as we are traveling in the wasteland we will be in condition one, which is loaded and one round in the chamber.” She continued to instruct Butter Cup as I just watched her train.
She spent half the day teaching her the basics in the stance, holding the gun, and drawing the gun. Once we had lunch she took Butter Cup into the actual range and did live firing. Butter Cup wasn’t bad, but nothing like Tempest. Anytime she fired it was always close to or directly in the center of the target. The afternoon seemed long, and every time Butter Cup forgot a rule Tempest stopped the exercise, sat her down, and made her write the rule out multiple times before she could go back to firing gun. Tempest was ruthless but I expected as such, firearms are very dangerous if you didn’t have the right training. Once the day was done we headed back for dinner.

* * *

The next morning was very much the same as the previous morning and we continued Butter Cup’s training in fire arms then in the afternoon we did more melee training. Friday was much the same as well and this was the final day of training. Finally after Friday was done Butter Cup was doing well and I figured she had enough training to start helping us during our travels, and once the day was done we headed back to the apartment.

“So ah guess same thing tomorrow right, Mineko?” Butter Cup asked.

I replied, “Nope I think you have enough to do what you need to out in the wasteland, I will start letting you help out.”

“Ya mean it,” she replied excitedly.

“I do.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” she said as she was about to hop on all fours around me, I stopped it before it got too far.

“I’m glad you are excited, but you have to continue to practice but for now tomorrow you can have a break from training.” I said.

“Great but ain’t that the day y’all are goin’ ta the clinic fer Tempest’s wing?” she asked.

“Yes, but you don’t need to come if you don’t want to.”

“But AH do she is still a friend of mine and friends need ta stick together,” was her reply.

“Ok,” I nuzzled her, “I will make sure you are with us.”

“Thanks, Mineko,” she replied. We went back to the apartment and finished the day out with a slight celebration and a great dinner Tempest scrounged up.

* * *

The next day we got up and to our surprise Shadous had returned and already had a breakfast made for us.

“Welcome back Shadous,” I said with a grin.

“Hey.”

“Thanks again for letting us use your place we all appreciated it we all needed the rest.” I said trying to strike a conversation with the stallion. After that the rest of our party woke up and we decided to go ahead with breakfast before heading to the clinic.

We all went to the clinic after we ate, even Shadous came with us. Once we reached the clinic, Dr. Helpinghoof took a look at the wing with the help of his unicorn assistant. “Well it looks like it healed well enough though I’m not so skilled with Pegasi that well,” Helpinghoof continued, ”not many of those in the wasteland, luckily Life Bloom had some books on the matter.”

“So can I start to fly again or do I need to remain grounded longer?” Tempest asked.

“Well,” he gave a look like he was deep in thought then continued, “yes you can start flying but take it easy for the next few days, so no crazy stunts or fast flying.”

“Ok thanks doc,” Tempest replied.

“Not a problem,” he said. We then headed back to the suite, while we were walking Butter Cup came next to me.

“Hey Mineko, Ah had this weird dream last night of a weapon that Ah think would work fer me but Ah need some help ta make it.”

“What, can you describe the weapon to me?” I asked with concern.

“Well it is a blade that is shaped like a crescent moon like what Ah saw in books Ah read at my pappaw’s, with the
handle behind the curved part.” She said.

“Well that doesn’t sound too hard I’m sure we could get it made here, but we really don’t have the time to wait,” I replied.

“Well, it’s not that simple Ah need ta be able to throw it as well and it would come back ta me, like it was powered by some sort of magic.”

“Now that is troubling, not many have arcano tech anymore,” Tempest butted in, “sorry I couldn’t help but hear what you two are talking about. I seriously doubt we could ever find a way to make something like that.”

Butter Cup replied, disappointedly, “Ah should‘ve figured that but it was an idea. Ah guess Ah will have ta stick with the gun but Ah am not really good with it.”

Tempest look at the disappointed filly and the said, “I will tell you what I will ask around about getting a weapon like that made here while I’m out gathering supplies. I’m assuming we will be leaving soon?”

“Yes,” I replied, “I have a plan.”

“You always do.”

When we reached the suite I gathered everypony together at the table and placed the map out that Homage gave me. “Ok, I got word that Mars is residing here in Gildedale, and unfortunately DJ. Pon3 has no eyes there but he said a ship may be by in a few weeks that we could possibly charter to get there.” I looked at everypony and attempting to gauge their thoughts, Shadous was the first to speak.

“I’m guessing this is just a start, you have something else in mind to do besides just waiting here, am I right?”

“Yes,” I replied, “I want to go back to trading post Twenty Two, my home.”

Footnote: Level up, New perk: Work Horse, you have toiled and moved things that normal ponies are not able to move or carry, you can carry 50 more pounds of equipment.

Author's Note:

"clear" zaps the story, "clear" zaps the story a second time and a pulse comes back. "Yes my friends the story is not dead, IT'S ALIVE!"

Ok Chapter 9 is finally here and my life is starting to normalize and i will be able to hopefully update more regularly. I know it was a long time but here you go.

As always I thank my two proofreaders. I also thank Kkat for this awesome world where my imagination can run wild in the wasteland.

Hasbro owns My Little Pony: Freindship is Magic
Mineko, Tempest, Shadous, Butter Cup, and Long Arm are from me.
Littlepip, and Homage is owned by Kkat.

Comments ( 8 )

6273111 I agree but if I did that I would not get to the main part of the story until chapter 25, The goal was to start the story after what she called her first death. I feel that all the the information I gave there in the intro and prologue would be an entirely different story. Perhaps once I finish the story from her first death I may go back and do a prequel like they did in Star Wars, if people are interested. Not to worry though as you go through the story you will get a chance to glimpse a few important things that happened in the prologue as they chased Mars for those 8 months that matter for the current plot. Plus a pleasant surprise that you may not expect about Raven, can't tell you or it will spoil it in the later chapters. I do hope you are enjoying the story so far keep reading and I'm sure you will be entertained. :raritywink: Also thanks for your Input I will not be revising any previous chapter for fear of loosing continuity but I will try to catch and fix any typos that might have been found. :twilightsmile: As always don't hesitate on giving me any constructive criticism I can't get better if I don't know where I made a mistake. :twilightblush:

6278988 I see you thought quite a bit about all of this. That's good. I'm not trying to trip you up, these are things that I noticed as I was reading through.

there is more to Mars than a hired gun

You misunderstand, I was comparing Mineko to the character Hired Gun/Silver Storm from FoE Heroes

Having Mineko be very similar to Littlepip is not wrong per se, but it makes your job harder. Any time the reader notices one of these similarities, they will subconsciously compare the two.

Twilight really was only recording studies of long range teleportation

If Twilight was studying it, that implies that all previous teleporting was short range, and the odds of finding any reference materials on long range would be astronomically small compared to short range.

6279497 Yes I agree with you about it maybe more likely to find the short range just that Mineko never did find any info on short range teleportation. Sometimes people find the harder stuff and never find the easy stuff, Mineko kind of lucky because she generally stumbles on the harder stuff before she finds the easier stuff. Again I hope this clears up some things, again I appreciate that you are reading my story and what you are pointing I will definitely have to clear up in the later chapters, because if you are pointing these some others may be seeing the same thing. :twilightsmile:

I see a sudden and drastic improvement in the quality of your writing in this chapter. Grammar in particular was much better.

Well as I was heading to the post I passed by the steel hoof ranger

Again, just steel ranger

Nope I think you have enough to do what you need too out in the wasteland

to

We all went to the clinic after we ate, even Shadous came with us. Once we reached the clinic, Dr. Helpinghoof took a look at the wing with the help of his unicorn assistant.

well it looks like it healed well enough though I’m not so skilled with Pegasi that well,” Helpinghoof continued, ”not many of those in the wasteland, luckily Life Bloom had some books on the matter.”

Capitalize 'well' and remove the paragraph break

6282303 :facehoof: Thanks fixed. :rainbowlaugh:

6282370 :facehoof: Doh! I forgot about that. Fixed :twilightsmile:

6282559 Ok that is fixed now too :twilightsheepish:

Yep but I think only two besides Mineko knows unless there are more stories that I didn't read. The two that I know of that knows Homage's secret is Littlepip and Blackjack.

6282609 All Fixed thanks again. :twilightsmile:

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