//------------------------------// // Ch 1: Setting Up // Story: Fallout Metro at Dark // by Given Chance //------------------------------// Cautious and on edge 24/7 because if you weren't on edge then you were as good as dead. Nearing the end of the tunnel the bright light ahead seemed to be getting brighter the closer I got. An exit I hoped. When I reached the edge I could see snow piled alongside the walls in the tunnel. "Is that the-" I was cut off as I suddenly found it difficult to breathe. I held my breath as I quickly dropped my gun which was held in a sling causing the rifle to swing idle as I swiftly threw my rucksack in front of me getting down on one knee. With one quick motion I unscrewed the bad filter from my helmet. Pulling out a fresh filter. Screwing the filter on so that I could breathe properly. Once it was on I exhaled and inhaled. When my breathing became easier I relaxed sucking in better air. The filter must have just gone bad… or had for awhile and I had just now noticed it. Thank god it happened here and not out there… in the snow that would be worst case scenario. As feral beasts now roamed the earth and talking horses too I guess. Catching my breath I picked up my rifle that was hanging by my side. Looking outside for the first time in days. I saw snow fall all around me marching out of the cave of darkness. Dead trees and with the wreckage of some kind. I saw more skeletons of ponies wearing torn up clothing. There were a lot of them as a matter of fact. The bags they had were opened and their contents spilled all around. Nothing of use to me. 'The ponies in that tunnel must have looted this,' I thought mentally starting to walk off to find something interesting and if I didn't find anything I could always come back and say hi... or eat those ponies. Knowledge is power after all as if keep in mind their location for later use if push came to shove. Truth be told; I'd rather eat ponies than starve to death out here. I walked down the side of the mountain for awhile now unsure if I was walking down a path or might step off an edge as the blanket of snow made everything blend together. I'd been walking for so long tha my feet were killing me. I saw a small town of ruined houses at the bottom of the mountain. Nearly tripping over the edge. The snow died down. Giving me a chance to actually see it in all its not so good glory. looking just as fucked as I felt, but I've seen worse. And by worse, I'm referring to metro stations that have burned down... yes a station underground can burn down. I've seen it happen first hand. And starting fire’s was mainly banned in stations for fear of another raging fire. The more you know. Carefully creeped around a narrow path making me really wish I had climbing gear so I could repel down safely. Stepping on a compromised edge that was just snow pretending to be stable ground my foot fell through. Falling over the edge I was sent careening over the edge falling onto the side of the mountain rolling down the slope. Being encased in snow as I was being rolled into a snow ball. When I finally hit the bottom my gasmask cracked now sporting a noticeable crack on the right side lens. I got up feeling my left arm bleeding lightly from the abuse, having scraped against some rocks on the way down.  'Thank god it was over'. I stood up shaking the snow loose feeling colder now regretted leaving the tunnel with the fury pony creatures, and their fire barrel of heat. ‘Should have brought that with me.’ I looked my gun over, inspecting it for damage and of course it had snow and ice crystals inside it. I grumbled as both of my guns were basically screwed. I didn't want to think about how bad this was for their functionality. If heard of stalkers having their guns malfunction when it was dropped in snow but mine had its barrel filled. Resisting the urge to poke a stick in the barrel to try and dig the snow out of my rifle. I pulled out my knife not being the happiest guy in the world marching quite quickly to this town. Fucking mutant ponies. I looted the empty town for anything useful, yet what I found was anything but useful. It was all items you'd see in any other home. Plates, chairs, beds, pictures... As useless as they images were, they told me alot. As the saying goes: 'a picture is worth a thousand words'. Smiling ponies and happy families saddened me as I saw the dust covered pictures. Some still in their frames of shattered glass. Seeing the destruction only made my blood boil to think that someone would do this. Send the world into hell. Curse the Americans! Curse the Russians! Curse everyone who chose to launch such horrific bombs. It made me think of all the human life lost over politics and land. Well we not had our the land our government wanted! Radiation and all!" Moving around the house were a bunch of trip wires that I easily avoided and the small door frames. Nearly bumped my head on the small doorways multiple times. It was a pretty boring experience to say the least, until I an odd group of ponies came with gas masks came to the small town. I easily spotted them as they didn't even try to mask their presence. Because of the bright headlamps that exposed their positions like big bright becons that just screamed 'shoot me'. The sun was setting so I guess I could understand their reasoning. I felt ready for a fight... the sad part was they had guns... and I only had two metal icicles and a damn toothpick, and yes I'm talking about my guns and my knife. They even had floating guns! What kind of alien shit was that? Where these ponies secretly the dark ones? Shape shifters perhaps? Some ideas came to mind as I thought about what my next move would be. 1.Kill them 2.Befriend them 3.Hide 4.Runaway (Now just some music) The ponies with gas masks are either scouts or they're trying to reinforce their territory. Who knows really it could have also been something I didn't know about. Like everything else about these ponies. I stayed out of sight. Opting to cover myself with snow and regretting it seconds later...'I'm freezing my balls off!' I mentally shouted. Being blessed by the snowstorm, covering me up, blessing me with additional cover. Yet I knew I couldn't stay here for long or hypothermia would surely end me. Just in case if I would have to move. The ponies were getting crates from a house I didn't get to check... "You cucks!" I growled at them quietly. The snowstorm masked my growl quite easily. The cold hardly suppressed my anger. I marked them out mentally thinking it down, on my mental list. Four Heavies and eleven in just plain winter gear. After about an hour or less, they started to leave. "No my livestock," I joked to myself, getting up to shake the snow off of my heavy sherpa lined jacket. "I really should have thought this over," I muttered to myself but was still smiling at my own joke nonetheless. Jokes kept me moving... they were almost magical… like little unicorns. The wind howled loudly as I stalked them through the snow. They were cautious and so was I. They were prey, and I was the predator... a handicapped one... without a gun and all... but I still had my evil toothpick of death. As I stalked them I could only wonder why they haven't gotten attacked yet? I don't like it when others die. Believe me, but ponies confused me. Wondering whether I should care or not. Nothing against them of course. Well, unless you consider them to not be human. We weren’t exactly allies either but them appeared sentient enough. I started to hear howling and a bunch of scampering feet. That's probably my only way to possibly describe it. The ponies seemed to be forming a circle getting in a tight formation. Using the crates they found, as a form of a barricade. I just went prone stopping in my tracks seeing a mini stampede of Watchers, about around 40. But these Watchers were pretty small. Different from the ones I was used to seeing. They're like the size of a Lurker... maybe even smaller. It was a strange sight to behold. Watchers are supposed to be large mammals. They look like dogs and have the same behavior as such. Watchers can commonly be found standing up on two hind legs sniffing the air or baying into the distance. A Watcher's mouth is very odd, you see. It is angled upward and sunken into the face, giving the watcher a face reminiscent of a BullDog or Boxer breed of dog. A pair of phalanges adjoin either side of the mouth and have some teeth lining the lower edge. These are probably used to give the watcher a greater surface area when biting, or to amplify its howls. No one really knows. "Fifteen ponies vs an estimate of 40 Watchers give or take. What a show this could be," I said kind of helpless myself. I could put myself in danger trying to help the little cutesie ponies and die or let them fight it off and possibly strike them while they're weak. What to do? Life is strange with the choices that run wild in my mind. My mind ran wild with possobilities. 1.Help ponies. 2.Wait it out. A.Help ponies from the aftermath B.Kill ponies while they're weak I was going to wait it out. It was the only thing I could do, my weapons were useless... but by looking at the size of the watchers my knife looked like a pretty good option, right about now. I wouldn't be of much help. I would actually hinder them if I jumped in. So I was better off watching Ponies vs Watchers in combat! I would be lying to say if I wasn't at least a bit excited to watch this event go down. 14 Ponies vs 40-ish Watchers! Yeah, I'm not going to count it exactly. Those suckers are running and are all over the place. "I hope for a quick clean match," I muttered to myself quietly humoring myself as I recalled from a book that I had read a long time ago; an American book to be exact. I readied myself in the snow for a show. Holding my knife out in front of me at the ready just in case. The Watchers ran around the ponies' circled formation. While most of the ponies had guns, and about 4 of them had melee weapons... at least that's only what I could see. Some guns they had had auras of faint colors around the guns that confused me a bit. They could make their guns float in the air? I did see them doing it earlier when I had first spotted them. It didn't make sense or it did? Well... I guess that would make sense, for them having hooves and all... WAIT WHAT THE FUCK! I tried squinting my eyes to get a better look. The ones that had guns floating had a mini spear on their heads, reminding me of unicorns... but those don't exist. Or so I thought apparently. The only ones I knew about were the ones in coloring books and in Greek Mythology. Even the ones I saw in the cave were all ponies from my world. Minus the talking and having strange colors.  unless the radiation had tainted them somehow? I knew from books. So unicorns do not exist! 'BUT FLOATING GUNS!' A part of my mind screamed. 'Shut up you!' I screamed at the part of my mind that believed Unicorns exist! I scoffed, unicorns don't exist.   That is just ridiculous. I was promised flying cars not flying guns! The other ponies looked like regular ol' ponies to me. No shank heads or anything fancy, just winter gear that I was used to seeing. Except that, theirs was made especially for their unique four legged body structure. These mutant ponies were getting on my nerves. It was as if they were mocking me, by how human they acted. They wore clothes, used weapons, and even talked! If these ponies replaced humans... I was going to start killing them all… Was they American made mutants? Using tiny horses instead of the half human half ape super soldiers Stalin once demanded? The leaders at the top have a wild imagination. But that could wait until later, right now I had a show to watch! I watched in anticipation as the ponies made the first attacking move trying to take the advantage. But they're attack only enticed the Watchers to make their move as well. Counter Attacking a little watcher jumped at an equine but was quickly blown out of the air by one of his buddies sporting heavy armor and a shotgun that I wasn't very familiar with. It was sort of like  Uboinik or how I and others like to call it the "Shambler". But it was very different not having the shells exposed to the outside. The Ponies were getting swarmed by the miniature Watchers. They even started to shoot their own teammates trying to shoot the little buggers off.  The circle formation was great! But they boxed themselves in and didn't pull it off correctly. But they seemed to be pulling through, disappointing me greatly... 'but what can you do?' I shrug in the snow, continuing to watch. I had wished they’d be more easily dispatched so I could strike them while they’re weak so I could get my hands on one of their functional weapons, but before I could cloud my judgement they seem to make a comeback. Something magnificent happened; a bunch of mini Watchers swarmed a heavy stalker ripping him to shreds. Even his armor as well. Metal plating was seen flying off his figure. A swarm was dangerous no matter the enemy... it was an obvious fact. I watched the male pony scream in agony as some of his friends watched him die in a bloody fashion. Tiny mouths devouring his flesh. I snorted watching them stare at their dead comrade. I held back my laugh even though I knew the snow storm would most likely drown it out. But I didn't want to take my chances with midget Watchers on the loose. A female pony screamed; just as a mini Watcher bitten into her leg latching on. Well, it could be a male but I couldn't exactly tell from this distance. Like the injured pony in the tunnel, I encountered earlier with those other pussy ponies. He was small and frail, I had mistaken him for a mare from his high pitched voice, and frail body. About four ponies died and about 3 Watchers ran away... well those are the ones I counted anyway. I saw the ponies checking to see if their downed comrades were dead or not. The rest of the ponies were injured... if you call getting scratched up "injured" and shot by your own companions. The snowstorm started to die down. So, I thought I should probably be 'mister nice guy'. So I could know what tunnel they themselves are holed up. So I can find shelter for myself. I took in a deep breath before standing up until I was in a crouched position trying not to scare the scared ponies; who had just survived an attack. "Hey! Little Ponies!" I said in a hopeful "Friendly" manner. I called out from a snowy hill I was now standing upon.  A bullet whizzed by my head I heard the whistle it made, almost clipping my helmet. "Hey watch it!" I shouted, dropping back down quickly to the snow plush ground. "I'm not your enemy!" I shouted angrily. A few more shots were fired in my direction. "I will be if you don't stop shooting at me!" My temper gradually rose even though I was kind of shouting empty threats. Having two iced metal clumps and my "Legendary toothpick of death!" 'So maybe not so empty after all...' "Hold your fire!" I heard a male voice shout, having the guns shut up their roaring in the process. I stood up again raising my hands up in a 'what the fuck is your problem gesture'. I'm going to talk some sense into these goddamn ponies! I made a quick mental checklist of my options.  1.Resist temper 1/3 2.Stay angry 3.Fight 4.Shit pants. 5.Act as if he had high charisma With the storm having died down. The howling wind quietly declined in volume. Me and the ponies looked like we were having a stare down... Well... I was kind of scowling under my gas mask. I could tell they were scared because they didn't say or do anything, watching me cautiously. "You almost shot me you sick fucks," I growled making the ponies flinch visibly. I was more scared of them than they were of me. That's for sure. They had a group that easily outnumbered me and if you know anything about numbers… they could swarm me. And they had "Weapons" and I had neither, but you know what I said about scared animals. . . they were dangerous. "Who are you?!" The biggest stallion of the bunch shouted at me. The one that told his idiots to hold their fire. I respect him already. "I'm Hunter!" I said to keep things consistent. Just in case I bump into those idiots I met in the tunnels. I have to be a good liar. Or else I could earn a bad name for myself or be killed because these little creatures may grow trust issues. "What are you doing out here!?" He questioned me openly as the blizzard seemed to have come to a complete stop. I could actually see beyond the snow now, and it made my heart beat faster; giving me time to examine my surroundings once more. Snow as far as I could see. Mountains. . . mountains everywhere. . . and the sky. . . it was covered by clouds, but why? 'Stupid! Right snowstorm.' 'I could ask you the same thing,' I said mentally but not wanting to get shot from the backlash, of being sarcastic I opted for a much more subtle approach. "I was just looking to see the world on the surface! It sucks being cramped deep underground. Gray. . . gray everywhere! Am I right?" That was not a complete lie... I'd been stuck inside that damn mountain for a long while now. . . It was a pain in the ass to finally get out of there. "Take the supplies back home. I'm going to have a chat with our newcomer." The big muscular pony spoke to his "little comrades" he strode over to me. He was quite intimidating! 'Phft!' He stood in front of me with his gaze fixated on me, while his ponies left us alone together taking their loot crates with them. He flexed his muscles that showed through his winter coat designed and fit for a pony for his size. . . HE WAS ABOUT AS TALL AS MY SHIN! Maybe even smaller. You heard that right. He was small as fuck. I had to hold back my laughter, he was much more muscular than the rest of the ponies I'd seen here; but they were taller than this short guy. "What are you, newcomer?" He asked me to staring deep into my soul. . . with his eyes trying to pierce my very being! "The name's Big Stuff." He said stoically. I sniffled a laugh, I still couldn't get over his size. "I'm a Ranger," I said with a shrug. What do you want me to say "Human?" that would be lame. . . He just nodded his head mumbling the word "Ranger" like if he was trying to remember something important. "Like Sparta?" "Yes that's it, you heard about it?" The stallion nodded. "Sort of. I heard about her..." "Her?" I asked. "Yeah she's over there." Big Stuff pointed to the group leaving us. We followed the group as we continued to talk, "Anyway I need a place to stay warm. I was stuck inside that mountain over there for a while now," I said pointing to the mountain in question. "I can trade with some food I have." I tried to persuade him, even though I had a bone to chew with whoever fired at me. Assholes. . . they don't know God, but I’d be gald introduce them. . . you mutant fucks. "Hello? Hunter the Ranger? You-who?" The muscular short stallion asked me jumping up and down trying to wave a hoof in my face, trying to snap me out of my stupor. Yet he only waved near my stomach area being so short. "Oh. . . uh. . . sorry," I said slowly, shaking my head. 'Get your head in the game!' I screamed inside my head trying to get my head out of the clouds. . . that would be quite nice. . . to have your head in the clo-oh right!  "You kind of spaced out there, for a second there, Hunter," He said, sounding concerned for me through his gas mask. These ponies were catching me off guard left and right! They actually know how to sound generally concerned for my well being. First, it was the mare in the tunnel, now 'Short Stuff' here. 'My mind must be playing tricks on me or something.' They acted so human... Not like the ones in the tunnels as everyone was out for themselves but back before the war. During peace time. I tried to ignore the feeling inside that these ponies were just as good as a friendly human being. . . but most of us humans were bad. . . so. . . if there were good ponies. . . then there must be bad somewhere around as well. But the question is where? This short stallion and his ponies or the ponies in the tunnels could all be bad for all I know. My mind ranted, looking down at the short stallion crouching low so that I could be a little level headed with him. Suddenly Big Stuff’s tone changed to a lighthearted tone."You seem pretty chill. . .” He noticed me shivering, freezing my ass off. “he-he you get it? Because you're covered in snow and look like a snow-pony!" He joked, making my eyes roll.  “Very funny.” I noted dryly brushing off more chunks of snow off. "Anyway, you can crash with us, but. . ." He started growling with a stern tone speaking back in his big boy voice. "If you hurt anypony, I'll make you regret it." He said in a deadly tone. making me stare flatly at him through my gas mask. I really didn't care what this little pony could do. I could just stomp on his little pony head, and smear his pony brains beneath my boot if I wanted too. "Sure let's just get out of this damn snow." I agreed without a care even though I made it sound like I did. Make them believe I'm nice. As we trudged through the snow. Following closely behind the small pony, stepping on his tail a couple of times along the way. "So, I'm not dreaming am I?" I asked the ponies to check my sanity. "What do you mean?" One of the mares asked. "I'm talking to a talking pony." I told her bluntly. "This is like some little girl fairytale. Which is why I have to ask if any of this is real." The mare kicked me in the shin. "Ah!" I grabbed my shin hopping up and down on one leg. "You bitch!" "See, not a dream. All real." She answered smugly. "If this was a dream you'd wake up. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news princess." The mare chuckled. Glaring at the back of her head I saw 'Sparta' written on the back of her helmet. My eyes narrowed as I had the same thing written on my own. As I was part of the Spartan Order. A ranger. As to preserve what remained of the military. Which begged the question... Was she apart of the order? She must have been the one the little pony was talking about. "Sparta?" I said aloud. "Hmm?" The mare turned to look back at me. "You have it written on your helmet." "Oh, that's just my name." She nodded. My eyes widened, "Seriously?" "Yup, and it's the name of a group im apart of." She added. Before long we finally made it to our destination. We walked down a non-functioning escalator. I was used to seeing them non operational it was no surprise that it didn't work. We walked down until we were met with a metal door, that looked more like a thick metal gate than anything else. It also looked so very familiar. Just like "VDNKh" a commonwealth of stations that united to keep peace in the underground train tunnels. "Hey open up, it's me, Big Stuff! And I brought our new Ranger friend with me!" He said banging a hoof on the metal gate/door. There were some small holes for me to see through. I got in close looking though, I could see a flickering light that I already knew was firelight; from a flickering flame. The metal gate-like doors vibrated a bit before an opening began to appear, where both of the metal doors started sliding out of our way moving to the sides. We were greeted with ponies wearing armor, a few had helmets while the rest didn't. We strode in like we owned the place yet I stood close to the small stallion, this time making sure I didn't trip over his annoying tail. The number of ponies all around was quite intimidating. Being all alone, eyed up and down like a specimen. 'A mighty fine specimen! If I do say so myself.' The group that had brought me in dropped the bags of supplies they had scavenged when suddenly loud howels of went out. "Hurry close the door!" An armored soldier cried out. We backed away from the opening as the metal doors grinded noisly beginning to close. In the boxed room we were in we walked up against a wall as Nosalis appeared near the vents ramming their claws against the vent covers. Snarling at us wanting to get at us. "Open fire!" The soldiers fired at the monster as more came beating on more vent covers. Up on the ceiling located in the middle of the room. A vent cover broke off as a the Nosalis the mutant mole appeared jumping at me. I stabbed the creature as it snarled and snapped it's jaws near my fave. I kicked it back as the ponies finished it off. We were like fish in a barrel for these creatures. I backed away staying behind the ponies using them as meat shields when suddenly a vent cover fell on my head making me look up as claws came down at me. Slapping my shoulders as another mutant slipped out falling on its back laying itself out for me. I kneeled down stabbing it in the head. Getting a clean cut in as it cries out going limp. The room was blinding with bright white flashes of gunfire. Feeling a bullet or two strike my armor from friendly fire. "Watch your aim!" "Sorry!" Sparta exclaimed as a Nosalis lunged at the ranger but the pony kept the monster at bay using the rifle as leverage as she threw the monster aside and fired her rifle into it until it stopped moving. Big Stuff bucked a monster back across the room which was impressive for such a small animal his size. Before we knew it. The event was over. Two stalkers who were alive just moments ago were now dead. "We're eating good tonight ehh?" I tried to liven up the dreary scene. Everyone gave me a cold look. "What? It's normal." I cleaned the blood off my blade putting it away. And with that we finally went through another door. Entering the station. Paying attention I mapped out the layout of their 'home', if push came to shove I would be. . . ready. Now that I think about it. . . it probably wasn't one of my brightest ideas walking into the damn lion's den. . . Why did I agree so fast? Was I going to get a cozy place to stay? This is anything but cozy. . . Surrounded by annoying pony eyes, but it does remind me of home. . . Everyone would watch my every move in curiosity; wondering what I would do next. I was highly respected going to the surface and coming back alive.  I walked a bit straighter since we were of the cold. I had no clue where Big Stuff was taking me. Probably his leader. . . 'The little savage!' My mind screamed as we stopped at the corner of the station right in front of a brittle old mare. She had a white mane and a snow white coat. Well, it would have been, if it wasn't so damn dirty. Big Stuff's colors were unclear even when he did take his gas mask off, he was dirty. Oh okay, an old lady. . . yay. . . ? To save my filter some justice I lifted my gas mask off my face lifting it up until it was stationary on my helmet facing upwards locking in place. "See you around." Sparta raised her gasmask, winking at me playfully as she sauntered off. "Grandma, can our new guest Hunter stay with us?" Big Stuff asked his 'grandmother' for permission. Now that I think about it. Big Stuff was probably a teenager. I just stood off to the side awkwardly scowling to look intimidating. While some ponies that were walking by stared at me, whispering behind my back to other ponies and it annoyed me. -'Talking behind my back you little shits, if my guns weren't fucking popsicle sticks you'd already be dead for talking shit about me.' "Whatever, Small Stuff," The old mare said to her grandson. "I'm too old to make many decisions. . ." She looked ragged and tired as if she hadn't slept in days. . . I knew that feeling. And everyone I knew, had that exact same feeling. She didn't even want to make a single decision either. She was just too tired. I felt that. "Grandma, it's Big Stuff!" He said as his ears pressed tightly against his head making him look hopeless, and I liked it. Acting all big. . . stuff you small fry little bitc- right... he's trying to give me a place to stay. It would be pretty hypocritical of me to talk behind his back. I'll stop thinking bad about you, Small Fry, only for now. I sigh loudly, getting the old mare and her grandson's attention. "Thank you, miss..." I said, trying to sound polite and maybe get a little respect on the side. I said 'thank you' even when they didn't even decide on anything. "Mrs. Stuff." The aged mare said with a small smile. "Thanks for letting me stay. I promise not to make or mess or whatever. Big stuff could we talk for a bit?" I said watching the old mare walking into her train cart home. "I don't have a shift until a couple of hours sure." Big Stuff said with a shrug with a relaxed smile.  "I need help with a couple of things... you know, getting the lay of the land.” "Alright?" The small stallion asked with a confused look, from my sudden wording taking a seat near the train cart’s door. His grandma's chair. "So what do you ponies here use as currency?" I asked curiously. “Well currency… We still use bits in friendlier stations.” Big Stuff showed me a golden bit. I had several of those after looting that cash register earlier. “But in more shady stations bullets are more eagerly accepted, especially in tall orders. And in poor stations clean water and bits are accepted though you could also trade goods for another and just haggle with a vendor.” He explained. “Ah I see.” I noted. “So… Can I trade? I have some canned food I wouldn’t mind trading.” I said standing back up eager to get this weight of water and canned foods off my back. It really was not such a big deal but I really preferred to hold lighter weight rations than full on cans as they were only ever really good for trading them as charitable donations for a good rep around the metro. A few bullets given back in exchange would not hurt too. “Just come back when you’re ready.” Big Stuff said. “And remember… no trouble.” The short pony said, holding his hoof to his eyes then extending his leg outwards towards me. In a ‘I’m watching you’ gesture. “I won’t keep you.” He waved me off as I hesitantly left on my own wandering around the station looking for the market. Following the signs, arrows and funny pictures. The wording was oddly american… this must be a capitalist experiment afterall… I noted. Shaking my head I roamed around the station unaccompanied by a pony escort. I felt exposed to the elements of stares. My eyes burned from fatigue as my eyes strained to stay alert. Rubbing my eyes I roamed around being the center of attention placing my hands on my hips trying to act ‘casual’. Finding a random stall that appeared to be opened with a lone mare manning the wares. At the moment she was reading a burnt magazine that was a bit crisp at the edges from wear and tear. The stall itself was nothing special. She seemed to be in the market selling canned foods. Perfect! “Greetings,” I waved a hand awkwardly towards the mare as if I were an alien introducing myself to the pony. The mare put down her magazine looking turning to face me, then having to look up her eyes widening as my stature sunk into view. “Uh… Can I help you?” The mare asked, looking uncomfortable seeing such a strange creature. I can relate. “Maybe you can.” Getting down on one knee I removed my rucksack bringing it in front of me so I could be at her height. Not wanting to scare the mare off doing business. Tact was required for these sorts of things. Pushed a seller too far; they might refuse to do business altogether. Delicately I removed the cans from my bag one by one lining them along the stall’s table top. “I was just wondering if I could trade these cans in for some bits?” I asked with a casual nod trying not to overthink this. Talking to a pony was weird and I must be going insane but it was just better not to think about things like this. Just ignore… everything will be fine… “Sure… I can do that. Names' Bit Collector” The mare nodded counting the cans as she tapped her hoof on the roof of the metal cylinders keeping count. “3 bits for each-” “-5 bits for each.” I cut in not wanting to get shafted in this deal. Even though I found out through ‘Big Stuff’ that bits were used as currency. I really did not know how much value these bits held. The mare looked taken aback from my sudden assertiveness. “Excuse me sir, but my price is 3 bits each.” The mare seemed to have grown some back bone as she leaned forward in her chair. “How about this, 4 bits each?” I suggested trying to strike a bargain. Haggling for a better deal since this mare seemed dead set on 3 bits each. “Deal!” Bit Collector exclaimed as she stuck her hoof out with a pleased smile. Reaching over the stall my gloved hands wrapped around her hoof causing her to not looks so confident. She gasped lightly as I wrapped my hand around her hoof, shaking it. “Deal.” I replied as I awaited my payment of golden bits. The mare blushed as we shook on the deal her eyes glued to my gloved hand. When I was satisfied with the handshake I Unfurled my fingers from her hoof retracting my hand back by my side. The merchant mare took the cans as a smug smile crossed her features, she scooped up the cans pulling them towards her like a gambler that had just won the whole pot. Stacking them behind her stall. Next I decided to sell some of the water bottles I had. Wanting to lighten myself up a bit more and hopefully add some bullet weight instead. I planned to shoot something along the way. I could not stay here forever after all. I needed to find out what was going on around here. Adding 77 bits to my count I was happy to say that I had over 80 bits to my name. The golden coins clinking together were like music to my ears. “Please come again!” The mare happily waved as I left. Awkwardly I waved back unsure why she was so happy, unless the bitch scammed me! The mare must have seen my look as she quickly went quiet with her eyes avoiding my spiteful gaze. She knew. I knew. We were going to leave it at that, for now, but I will never forget that face. Next I went asking around for an armory where I could hopefully ask for some weapon maintenance to get my frozen weapons cleaned up professionally. Since I was going to need a place to leave my weapons out to thaw. Finally after a short while of asking around for a pony who would help me I was directed to the armory I was confident most of every metro station had. Since how else was this station supposed to arm its guards with? There had to be an armory and armory there was. First I had to walk through a guard checkpoint. I flashed them with my frozen weapons that were dripping as the ice and snow began to melt dripping drops of water onto the floor. A guard knocked on the metal door, a slide opened up as a pair of eyes looked through. “What do you want?” A gruff sounding stallion asked only to be able to see my stomach through the metal slot. “I heard you could help me with my weapon maintenance.” “Weapon maintenance, do I look like a damn grease jockey to you?” Came the stallion’s response. He sounded insulted for such a request. “I will pay you.” I answered simply. There was a brief pause for a moment “In that case… I can take a look at what you have.” The sentry window closed as the stallion slidded the metal bar over the eye slot. There was the sound of metal grinding as the locks moved behind the door unlocking the door. I waited until finally the door swung open. Once again I had to crouch down to fit myself through the pony sized door frame. Gripping the edges of the door frame like some sort of monster pulling myself through. Once I entered I was met with a workbench on one side and  machine guns and rifles neatly lined vertical rifle racks on the other.. The guards closed the door behind me from the outside with only one guard inside the room with me and the armorer. The single guard watched me cautiously as I walked to the gated stall where the armorer was waiting on the other side. He was an aged stallion unicorn with a brown mane with splotches of white in his mane clearly he’s been around for awhile. I placed my two weapons on the table so the armorer could take a look at them. My eyes were glued to his evenly grooved horn. “Hmm…” The armorer mused admiring my weapons. He brushed off snow residue, wiping it down. “You should really be taking better care of your weapons.” “Rough start today.” I answered back looking around the room seeing how similar the weapons were to weapons I was familiar with around the metro. I was glad to see the weaponry which meant the deeper I traveled the more likely I would be able to find ammo and spare parts for my guns. “Isn’t that everyday?” The aged stallion chortled. I chuckled along with him as I sat on the floor crossing my legs not wanting to stay in an uncomfortable low crouch since the ceiling was so low inside the armory. “You must know better than me getting in on the years old man.” “Man?” The armorer questioned as his horn began to glow with a light aura around it. “Forget it.” I responded dismissively. “So, anyway I can buy some 5.45x39mm ammo?” I tried to make small talk while at the same time asking something with real purpose. “For a price.” The stallion said as the ice began to melt seeping out of the weapons openings. The stallion held a rag as he began to dry them off the best he could. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I agreed, “Name your price.” “Well for starters… I’d want 20 bits for weapon maintenance… each.” The stallion said with a pleased smile. “I see.” I weighed my options. That was nearly half of my funds. But I could not do much if I was handicapped with unreliable weapons. I would never cheap out on weapon maintenance as I would very well be cheapening out on my life. “Very well.” I removed my rucksack once more counting out the bits. The stallion looked pleased with my cooperation. I placed the payment on the table. The stallion took the bits, storing them behind the table. I counted out the 43 bits I had left over. Taking one bit storing it in my pocket for good luck  and because I liked shiny thing, now leaving me with 42 in total. “Now for the bullets.” The old unicorn chuckled. “Looking for high quality or the ever so popular dirty bullets?” He looked up from his work as he began to dismantle my weapons to inspect the insides of my weapons, replacing some parts with decent parts. “Dirty bullets.” “So quantity over quality I see.” “I have a lot of things I want to shoot.” I shrugged. “I understand, 4 bits for 3 dirties.” I paid up for some more ammo. Spending 20 bits for 15 extra rounds. Now with only 22 bits left I stored them away for later. If I ever did live long enough to spend them. “You should come back later. I’ll have your weapons ready by tomorrow morning.” The stallion said with a wave of his hoof. The guard opened the door pointing for me to leave. I stared at my weapons longingly. Wishing to hold them back in my hands feeling naked without them. “It's quite alright. They’ll be safely locked here with me.” Raising my hands up in defeat I left. Starting to stress being away from my trusty guns. I felt fidgety as I was once more exposed to the stares of all the ponies. “What are you looking at?” I glared at the ponies wanting them to leave me alone. Right about now I was starting to get hungry and looking at the livestock around me was tempting. I could almost taste the fresh meat. Hmm… could use it as a nice threat… I wouldn’t mind ‘trying’ pony. I heard it tasted similar to beef. I could go for a good american burger right about now. Returning to ‘Big Stuff’s’ place I waved to the old grand mare Mrs. Stuff. The old dame gave me a wave back as she sat on her chair outside basking in the metro stations ambience. Entering the train cart I found Big Stuff reading a book. He looked up to greet me. “Hello.” The teenager gave a short wave before returning to his book reading. I sat on the small bed leaning my back against the wall shutting my eyes trying my best to get some shut eye. Because I needed it. _ *Bang!*-*Bang!*-*Bang!* "Aaaahhhh!" Someone wailed loudly. My eyes snapped open without pause, scanning the dark room wildly. While simultaneously hearing a fight going on outside. Guns going off and people. . . no. . . ponies screaming.  Looking around the train cart I found out that Big Stuff and Mrs. Stuff was nowhere in sight. Seeing that I was safe, I sat up rubbing my eyes casually pulling on my helmet. Thank god I kept my shit clothes on, and here I was hoping I could get a nice bath. Carefully I got up sneaking my way to the door unsheathing my ‘toothpick of death’ or ‘knife’ for short. ***Big Stuff POV*** Holding my 10mm pistol in my hooves, it was hard to hold it steady with my flat hooves cursing the unicorns for having it so easy! Most prefer the comfort of holding a gun in one's mouth. But I didn't want to break my teeth with the recoil like that. Now you're probably wondering how am I supposed to fire a gun with my hooves since I don't have fingers like my newly acquainted friend Hunter. Well, that's quite simple actually. You see ponies can do lots of cool stuff even hold objects like if we had a magnet attached to the bottom of our hooves. So pulling the trigger is like having an invisible claw pull it. Getting behind a trading stand with the owner of it right beside me. Our Station was being attacked, but the threat was pony just like us! But they seemed to be ruthless killing us! The civilians were doing their best to evacuate while we fought for our lives and the citizens of our station. I had little training on having to hold the gun in my hooves. It felt natural to hold the gun in my mouth. But again without a mouth grip... Things can get messy… teeth could end up flying everywhere. I gulped as the owner of the stand peaked over our cover firing from his 9mm pistol that he held in his hooves. He fired quick rapid shots at his target but the bullets deflected off the pony's armor uselessly. Our enemy laughed, firing back at the stand owner beside me a shower of weapon fire tore through the stand as the bullets impacted his body falling over lifeless. His face was fucked beyond repair. Bits of gore painted the concrete wall beside me. We had about three "Spartans" in our station but I didn't know if they were dead or not by now, and this was in the span of a couple minutes. Bullets and lives fly as if they were paper in the wind. It all happens so fast. "Hold the line!" I heard one of the station guards shout over the gunfire. Guns were roaring in short bursts with muzzle flashes becoming almost blinding in the dark station. Each pony is trying to conserve their ammo in this scarce world we live in. Our enemies seemed to be all unicorns as their weapons floated beside them or in front of them. Their heavies seemed to have a bunch of armored plates in the front and there seemed to be less under them. I could tell as I inspected the dead one that was laying on his side. I was peeking through a bullet hole in the wooden trade stand. Before I heard a gun cock and something metal poke me on the back of my head. I knew I should have been paying attention! "Hello, little guy vey are you hitink from me?" A femme fatale said in a thick accent, breathing down my neck scaring me by how sudden this all was. I stood still as a stone, while she smiled wickedly. Her black uniform shines even in the dim lighting in the station. “Off to zee kamps!" She shouted loudly in my ear, making me drop my gun in pain, faster than I could react when the end of a rifle came crashing into my face. Efficiently knocking me out ***Human Ranger*** Peeking through the train cart’s window as I moved a curtain aside I saw the ponies retreating. I really did not even care if they lived or died. Was not my problem. I did not have morals when it came to being all alone with no home or friends, and befriending that pony was... meh... nothing special. We are not really friends. I just tamed a wild animal. An armored pony poked his head into the train cart grabbing my attention as my head snapped in his direction instantly as my blood began to pump. Roughly I pulled him into the train cart with my free hand and stabbed the pony in the neck with my sinister "toothpick of death". I closed the door as I had to drag the heavy mother fucker away from the door then I looted his dead body. Removing his helmet to see his ugly mug. Wait... is that... no... no, no, no.... it's a fucking Unicorn! I stared wide-eyed at the white coat fucker. I sawed off his horn with my knife; because why the fuck not? Now I have two toothpicks. Math. These ponies are just so nice. This pony only had a knife. Which meant that I now had three toothpicks. Come on, I need a rifle! I was disappointed with my find, but then I noticed the bag he was carrying. I had just killed an ammo boy... I gleefully looted his saddlebags, stuffing my rucksack with his... now my possessions. I rubbed my hands together with an evil smile like a jew who was cooking up an evil plan.  ("Joke", if not funny... then it's not funny to you) I had the good shit. I had at least a shit ton of MGR (Military Grade Rounds). But this shit was starting to get pretty heavy. I was a human not a pack animal! So it was probably either a good idea to use it on my enemies now because these things are probably going to hold me down in a firefight. I felt like throwing some shit out of my backpack now. I could waste all that ammo in about probably... less than an hour. If I had a rifle to use the ammo with. The gunfire outside seems to have died down but I could still hear yelling from some female and... accent oh.... shit...  I crouched beside the door peeking through the curtain with my back aching from the sudden addition of weight. As I examined the area. I could see the Station Guards bodies littered the ground. Some dead civilians that tried running in a straight line away from the... I looked closer at the enemies and I could see the same old  "Reich" or "Nazi"... *sigh*... ponies... I could see them tying up and shackling civilians taking them as prisoners. Putting cheaply made and aged old gas masks on them. Only the important prisoners got a good condition respirator. I shook my head knowing all too well that they were going to get exterminated one way or another. Working themselves to death in labor camps, or the Nazi favorite past time, gas chambers, burning, starving, experiments. You know the usual. Thank goodness I am not that guy. I could smell death in the air. I observed the Nazis were searching traincarts trying to locate anyone hiding. "Nazis," I whispered as I stayed in my hiding hole letting the Nazi Ponies capture the Metro Station dwellers. It wasn't my fight. Even if they were disgusting Nazis. Killing would be fun don't get me wrong... but dying is not so fun. And they seem to have the numbers over me and space over me. Everything is fucking cramped for me. I can bearly fucking move. Think... stay alive... but does it really matter?