//------------------------------// // Chapter Two: Ponyville // Story: Fallout Equestria: Winters' Grace // by Friend Pony //------------------------------// It had been what seemed like hours before Winter had awoken from her nightmare slumber looking as though she lost all sense of her strong will. Fortunately she wasn't in that disarray as she brushed her mane and tail while wiping the dried river of tears from hours before. She looked back at where the three friends were one last time before exiting her sisters home and to the gloomy outside rain that started no longer than an hour ago. As she looked around, she can remember what it was like before the war. The filly's and colts playing with each other or doing what would be there life; as cutie marks usually determine that. There was yet three filly's who couldn't understand that finding their marks isn't a walk in the park but yet a complex test. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were always together when they had the chance. Winter turned towards sweet apple acres. The home of the once great team of fillies who helped others gain their mark as it has given them their mark. Philomena flew towards the desolate remains while the Alicorn slowly followed. No more than fifteen minutes later that these two figures reach their destination. What they saw was what they had expected. The great red barn that had stood proud and strong was as fragile as bread. But it seemed to hold for the power of earth pony magic is remarkable. The paint had long ago chipped away showing the dwellings of invaders in which had also helped in its weakness. Near by the home of the apple family, what's left of it, as it had collapsed many years ago. Litter seemed to cover the dead ground in spots. And the acres of apple tree's stand long dead showing no remaining life, like the body frozen still as the soul burned away. Philomena looked at them as all she saw was still life. Winter looked over at the nearby apple cellar; she knew what was down there but she did not dare tamper with the future. She would simply change the comings of a new. She did not want that. She thought to herself that everyone deserves the great future and that she is not deserving of this. No, she deserved to live alone on her mountain which she wished to go back. Staring for the longest time she looked at Philomena then the acres of dead bodies and walked among them. Every now and then dropping a tear after tear as she touched the bark of the still bodies. She remembered the bats that had attacked the trees and how Fluttershy became Flutterbat by mistake. All of these memories she got from the years on her mountain home. The world around her faded and the past rushed in to life playing back parts of this memory: "W-we could um make a sanctuary for them...it can help-" suggested a shy yellow Pegasus "No. I want them out. Their harmin' the harvest. They need ta go." demanded an orange earth pony with a cowgirl hat. "I agree with Applejack. Just think of the cider!" bellowed a blue Pegasus pony worrying more about the cider than the trees in general. "B-b-b-but..." fluttershy trying to argue in defence Applejack looked at Fluttershy frowning, "No buts Fluttershy. They need ta go." Just as fast as the past came in, the past memory left; leaving the same two figures alone. Winter seemed to play this scene many times in her head even after she understands the why of that situation. She didn't dwell any longer as she drifted away from the trees back towards ponyville. Darkness dwells where light shines; Even though darkness is stronger where no light shines, It still grasps everything, slowly beating everything with weak attacks. Once back in ponyville she walked towards Sugar Cube Corner, home to the once great party pony herself; Pinkie Pie. Like before it didn't take her long to get to the destination, but once there the sight of what was left of the bakery would make a builder cringe. There was only one part of the wall that was the strongest on the first floor while the other side of the bakery leaned on top of the stove. The stove its self was in rough shape as it was the weakest of the two points holding up the floor above. The weight itself would be that of possibly a quarter dozen elephants. The paint had long been faded ffrom every spot you can see. Really the sight of the building itself wasn't much to look at. This pony just stood there staring at it recalling some memories of what it was before this, just like she did the other few times. Winter only looked away as her head began to hurt, like a nail hammered into wood. She simply staggered back only to regain composure and looked towards a radio that was on another pony's house window. Using her magic, a blueish white light appeared on the radio lifting it and floated towards her and turned it on in the process. All the stations were only fuzzed except one. As she listened to it she heard the name that she could never forget as this pony was someone she went to see often though dub wasn't her style, she seemed to enjoy seeing the music pony happy. DJ Pon3 or her real name, vinyl scratch. Not wasting anytime, Winter whistled to Phelomena calling her over as they both flew towards TenPony Tower... The darkest is around you, engulfing you, eating you You can't escape it, because it will be ending you. If not you then somepony close, that's is right darkness is forever around you....Winter! About 4 hours later Winter had landed near the Tower while Phelomena perched herself back on Winters' back. The tower was about 500 meters to 800 meters tall surrounded by a 10 or so foot wall heavily guarded as anyplace would be for a safe haven. Despite it being one of the oldest buildings in equestria from before the wasteland it was still in the greatest of conditions that winter has seen. Knowing that the guards would be asking for weapons she used and invisible spell on it and had Phelomena carry it for the moment. Once inside the tower, she looked around at all the ponies enjoying there day; walking about without a care. Safe from the reality but locked in a prison of perpetual day's that come and go always the same thing with some changes here and the, the point is everyone within this pillar of hope was living a life that was before the bombs had fallen. She just marveled at everyone and then looked down with a small smile only thinking to herself that - life doesn't have to be bad just because a person, place or thing becomes something that is dark, live through it by creating something new out of it. Change it to fit how you wish to feel. Perpetual happy days is better than a dark abyss of terror and calamity. Life is an endless labyrinth of unknown, but you can make it a great known. - Winter walked around the ground floor asking ponies where to find a place to sleep and it was minutes later when she was finally able to get a room in the suites for a few nights. Getting off the elevator she noticed the red carpeting on the floor which was only a little dusty and the walls painted with fresh paint though dried days ago. Not wasting time in need of a refreshing shower she got to her suite room. Once she opened it, Phelomena flew inside and landed on a nearby window sill looking out that very window. Winter smiles as she closed the door and headed for the bathroom. A small walk through memory lane was something she needed to forget just for a time being. She had a mission.