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A vast nothingness, a void unlike anything ponykind could understand surrounded A Little White Mare. Her eyes couldn’t understand what she was seeing, her mind on the verge of breaking, and her body feeling as if it was nonexistent yet still there. The Little White Mare closed her eyes and screamed as loud as she could, the sound faded as quickly as it started not even echoing back at her.

It seemed like an eternity passed by as The Little White Mare laid there unable to move due to her fear of the unknown. Suddenly something flashed around her, opening her eyes for the first time in what felt like forever, she saw the nothingness was gone, replaced by darkness. She lifted her head and looked around, her ruby red eyes trying to pick up something, anything different in the darkness. Then a scream filled the air around her, freezing The Little White Mare.

“NO, PLEASE DON’T DO THIS! LET US OUT, PLEASE!” A stallion’s voice echoed around her followed by another.

Then hundreds of voices started to scream for help, begging for somepony to let them out, saying they were sorry, crying for their mothers to help them. Begging, crying, pleading for help, but one voice raised above them all, it was dark and full of rage.

“You’ll pay for this someday Courier…but for now game over, you win, check mate.”

A bright flash followed the voice, then everything stopped. When she opened her eyes again she found herself in a meadow, green grass covering the ground around her, a soft breeze blew, and the scent of pine trees filled her nostrils. She looked around wondering where she was now, a few feet away there was another pony. She looked a lot like The Little White Mare only she was black with a silvery mane.

She opened her eyes and looked up at The Little White Mare, a look of confusion on her face, “Who are you?” she asked slowly getting to her hooves.

Her body was scarred like she’d seen her share of battles in the past, but her face was kind and a little frightened. The Little White Mare shrank back as she spoke, “I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know, how do you not know who you are? Everypony should know who they are,” she said.

“That’s easy my name’s…” she stopped then looked confused followed quickly by fear, “I’m…I don’t know.”

“See you don’t know who you are either,” The Little White Mare said, as she spoke a quick flash of memory flowed through her mind’s eye. It was fast and the images didn’t last long, but something stuck, “Wait my name…I think it’s Star.”

“How original,” The Dark Mare said looking around, “Where are we anyway?”

“I don’t know, I only arrived here a moment ago,” The Little White Mare said, “I was about to ask you the same question.”

“I don’t know where we are, but it doesn’t seem right, it’s too clean.”

“I agree, something about this place doesn’t make sense. I wonder how we got here or why we’re here at all.”

“I feel like something bad happened to me, it’s almost like this place was made for me to get away from something horrible,” The Dark Mare said.

The Little White Mare walked over to The Dark Mare and looked her over, “You don’t remember either do you?”

“I don’t know why but maybe I can help,” she said moving her horn up to touch the Dark Mare’s. There was a flash and more images flowed from the Dark Mare and into The Little White Mare.

As soon as the connection was made The Little White Mare felt like her body had been smashed and broken, she was dying, her magic is weak from a curse. A dark spell was used on her or was it on The Dark Mare, but for some reason it didn’t kill her. There was another’s presence in these memories, but the presence inside that called herself Morning Star was holding onto the last bits of light she still had, trying not to succumb to the curse. The spell was meant to kill her, but Pride didn’t know that she’d felt this magic before and blocked most of its deadly power, but at great cost to the power she regained over the past few weeks. It would take her time to regain what she lost, but she’d live and so would her host. The creature that called herself Morning Star wasn’t a pony, she wasn’t a demon, she was something else entirely. But what was she?

The Little White Mare pushed through the confusing images and feelings and took hold of the mind of the mare whose life felt more familiar. Shadow Star, also known as The Courier Mare was holding onto life just on the outskirts of the town called Appleton, she was looking up at a nightmare of a pony. Pride, that was his name…no that was just a codename, something he used to hide who he was before, only caring about the Sin that almost killed him. Ori…cal…cos? Yes, Oricalcos, that was his true name. A pony of great power from Nimbus, a cloud city north east of this dry broken land.

Shadow was lifting a strange looking pistol toward Oricalcos, a pistol that wasn’t a pistol at all but a powerful weapon. She fired it, and watched as the weapon in the sky was activated. She ran toward it and tried to stop the weapon from firing, she couldn’t do it, and she watched as it killed everypony trapped within its glowing walls. Mares, fillies, stallions, and colts vaporized in an instant. Oricalcos vanishing in that blast of light as well, its power was so great that not even his so called immortal frame could survive.

These images, are they from the Dark Mare…or are they from The Little White Mare, who is this Shadow Star? She seems so lost, so confused, her own memories were blocked and fragmented from a powerful memory spell placed on her when she was very young. Who would do that to a filly? The Little White Mare pulled herself closer to her, trying to understand who she was. But the closer she got the more confusing her past became, yet at the same time she felt so familiar. It was almost like The Little White Mare was part of this mare yet apart from her at the same time.

“I have to know who this mare is,” The Little White Mare said as she pushed harder, trying reach this mare’s subconscious. The farther in she went the harder it was to go on, she felt an odd emotion, something The Little White Mare didn’t understand.

Finally, she reached her destination, her magic pushed into this mare’s subconscious, but her magic wasn’t the only magic there. Deep inside the mind of the mare, there was another presence, it felt the same as the one from that memory. Moving closer to the presence she took a closer look. It looked like a little white filly, no, it was just giving off a white light around a darker shape.

The Filly looked up at her with bright yellow eyes, she almost looked afraid. She cowered back and tried to hide herself behind her tail, “I’m…Akee…Aquila. W-who are you?”

She looked around then said, “I have no idea where I am. All I know is that I can’t leave this place.”

“Because I’m trapped,” she said looking around then hiding behind her tail again, “I’ve been trapped for a long time, first in a scary place, then later in this place. I’ve been so angry, so scared for a long time.”

The Little White Mare felt something pulling on her own mind, the spell she was using was faltering. She didn’t have much time, but she’d have to hold on for as long as possible. She had to understand what was going on, “Is there any way I can help you?”

The Filly smiled a little then shook her head, “I may be trapped, but even if I could leave, I wouldn’t.”

The Filly’s eyes glowed and she changed. Her body grew, her coat stopped glowing and her mane changed to black. Her eyes turned red, and a cutie mark of moving stars appeared on her flanks. She looked down at the Little White Mare and said with a wicked smile, “I can’t leave because you still need me to survive, and I still need you.”

The Little White Mare felt herself returning to her body, “Wait, what did you mean by that, why do I need you?”

Aquila smiled at her and said, “Stop looking in the wrong places for your answers.”

She jumped and pulled her horn away from The Dark Mare. Both fell to the ground panting slowly. Both of their eyes came up to meet each other’s at the same time. Then The Dark Mare said, “Did you see that too?”

“I did, at least I think I did. I saw a memory from a pony called Shadow Star then a filly who wasn’t a filly deep in Shadow Star’s mind. Is that what you saw too?” The Little White Mare asked.

“It was, it all felt so familiar. It was almost like I was reliving it, but I’m not sure if it was my own memory or yours.”

The Dark Mare closed her eyes for a long moment, a look of concentration on her face. When she opened them again she said, “I think I know what’s going on.”

“I’m not sure if you noticed or not, but apart from the color you look just like me. When we saw those memories, both of us felt like they were our own, only not, at the same time. We both came here at the same moment and can’t remember anything. What if we’re both the same mare only somehow split?”

The Little White Mare laughed, “That has to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, how can one pony be split into two?”

The Dark mare looked around, “Because I don’t think this place is real, it kinda feels like a dream. Only here we can move and do as we want. In a dream we wouldn’t have this much control or even know it was a dream. I think something happened and because of it, our mind was split into two.”

The Little White Mare thought about it for a moment, “I guess that would make sense, but I still think it’s stupid. Even if you’re right, how could we fix it?”

She smiled, “I have no idea, but we could always try that spell again only this time we’ll both do it. When it was just you I felt like I was being pulled into you, maybe if we both use it, we’ll reunite.”

“Then we’ll be stuck here forever or have to figure out why we’re here. Either way it can’t hurt to try.”

The Little White Mare sighed, “Fine let’s get this over with, but I still think you’re wrong.”

The two mares moved closer to each other and touched horns again, this time they both cast the spell. It came easily to them, even though neither of them knew how they knew it. There was a flash of bright light and everything around them vanished. Both mares felt pain for a moment, then it passed and was replaced by a soothing sensation. Flashes of memory flowed by quickly. Shadow Star the lost abandoned unicorn from Stable 28 was waking up in her room to the sound of her best friend Strawberry Milkshake telling her they were going to be late for their meeting with Auntie. Shadow Star tried to ignore her friend, but she was never able to really say no to the slightly taller mare. She gave in and followed the mare to the atrium. She didn’t get good news when a mare only known as Auntie, told her The Overmare wouldn’t be giving her a job or a Pip-Buck, the symbol of a mature pony in Stable 28.

After Auntie left she was forced to go see The Overmare by some security pony who wasn’t very nice. She talked with the Overmare about her mother who left the stable eight years before, or was killed or died if you believed rumors. The Overmare was called away and Shadow looked into the files on the Overmare’s terminal seeing that she’d been looking into Shadow’s mother’s disappearance. She ignored most of the files the Overmare had about the situation and only looked at the file about her mother’s escape. She couldn’t finish reading everything because The Overmare came back and dismissed her. Still wondering about what she just read, Shadow ran into her other friend Balefire who wanted to show her something. After a little banter, Shadow gave in and followed her friend to what turned out to be a surprise party in the lowest level of Stable 28.

Her friends knew what happened with Shadow not getting a job and they wanted to cheer her up. They were really good friends to her. Later they all fell asleep and Shadow dreamed about an out of place door further in the bowels of the Stable. When she woke she decided to go check it out, it was there that she found the hidden door and inside, the beginning of her new life. A silver Pip-Buck with red accented lines running down it was tucked away in a small box. She put it on and was hit by a protection spell on the Pip-Buck. That was the first time Aquila would speak to Shadow, she whispered that she could help and take away the pain of the spell. Shadow consented and unknowingly she unlocked the cage Aquila was trapped in for so long. She did as she said she would and stopped the spell from completing and vanished for the time being.

Shadow didn’t even have a chance to examine her newly found prize because she was found by two security guards. After using a spell she couldn’t control, she blacked out. She woke up to find herself imprisoned by her Overmare. After a quick argument with The Overmare made a promise to cut Shadows foreleg off, she ends up making a quick escape thanks to the help of Auntie and Balefire. Something Shadow didn’t seem to not take into account was Auntie hooking her own Pip-Buck up to the Mark II. She’d transferred something to it in the moment they had before Shadow had to run away. She made it out of the clinic, to the Overmare’s office, through the escape tunnel, and out of the large Stable Door and never looked back…

The memories shifted and the images flashed by quicker. Shadow walking through a valley blanketed in eerie green mist following the directions she was given by Auntie. Shadow followed the path, and was attacked by raiders under a bridge, it was there that she first killed. After her escape from the raiders she ran into the mysterious Watcher who helped her hide from more raiders who were following her. She found a terminal with notes from a mare called Pink Rose and killed another pony who stayed behind to wait for her if she showed up again. After killing the skinny stallion, she stole his armor and snuck through the Raider Camp that was just outside of a town known as Cartwheel. She met a mare who would later become acquainted with her, the Steel Ranger Sapphire Stone.

She escaped and made it through the pass and found the town of Cartwheel where she was told to go by Auntie. Only she was shot by the town’s guard. As she started to lose consciousness she saw a pony flying over the cliffs next to Cartwheel, this pony was wearing a trenchcoat and black desperado hat.

The memories flew by again, Shadow’s meeting with another mare named Silver Snip. Odd how she felt so familiar yet Shadow couldn’t remember where she’d met her before. Then she met an old perverse pony, Box Tape. She found out about her mother coming through town, then the raiders attacked. Shadow felt as if it was her fault that they attacked and took Silver and some very young ponies. She heroically went off to save them. She managed to get help from Sapphire again and together they saved Silver and killed Crackerjack the leader of the raiders, with a little help from Stardust, a goofy yet sarcastic pegasus sniper.

Together Stardust and Shadow went off following the trail of her mother to meet with the Steel Rangers, after watching a memory orb left behind by her. Stardust was running from something and figured helping Shadow would be a good reason to keep running from his past. Due to his help, they met Aura Bloodtalon, a banished griffon from the Red Talons. Shadow was taken prisoner by the griffon, then saved by Stardust. Shadow spared the griffon’s life because she saw something in the griffon that reminded her of herself. She didn’t know it then, but that single decision was a big turning point for the young mare.

Shadow met the real Red Talons just above Hidden Sands and was saved by The Steel Rangers. It was here that she found out more about her mother and was told by the Elder of this branch that she could help Shadow find her mother if she would only do something for her first. She agreed, later that night Shadow had her first encounter with the thing living inside of her that called itself Morning Star. Thinking it only a nightmare, when Shadow was woken up by Sapphire, she shrugged it off and took the rest of her time in the bunker to learn how to fight from the older mare.

Shadow would later go off to Stable 9 with Stardust to retrieve another Mark II for the Steel Rangers, After finding out Shadow's Pip-Buck was one of three Mark II's made. After a frightening flight, the two of them made it into the cave that held the Stable. Shadow was able to get the Stable open with the help of her Pip-Buck. Shadow and Stardust found out the hard way why the Stable was abandoned and sealed when they ran into bloodwings that made the Stable their home. They also ran into Aura again who’d been following them, and after saving her life again, Aura told her that she owed Shadow her life and wouldn’t leave until she paid back her debt. Then they met a batpony only known as Sharp, who was being controlled by a crazy scientist known as Dr. Cell. Shadow was captured by the scientist and forced to fight the batpony. With the aid of her two friends she was able to break the hold Dr. Cell had on Sharp. When Shadow went to confront the insane scientist, she was tricked and thrown into a memory orb of a pre-war pony named Night Stalker. She watched the battle at Shattered Hoof Ridge and the death of the large red pony who was Night Stalkers friend. When she came back to herself she was tied up and about to be used for a new experiment by Dr. Cell.

Thanks to some quick thinking and the help of Sharp, Dr. Cell was stopped and Shadow blew his head off after he called Sharp…no Wind Thrasher a Monster. She got the Pip-Buck she had came for, Shadow and her friends plus Wind Thrasher were able to escape Stable 9 sealing it again on the way out, trapping the thousands of Bloodwings inside. Wind Thrasher thanked them and went off on her own after that. Aura, Stardust, and Shadow tried to escape from the cave that laid right above a town of Fiends, but they were captured. After some words with the leader, a nasty pony called Gator, Shadow was separated from her friends and forced to try and escape on her own. She did and she was able to get through the town of nasty ponies and save her friends as well. Sadly, Stardust had been hurt badly so Shadow was forced to have Aura get him help with the Steel Rangers, leaving her behind to make her way back on her own. Before she left though, she used a self-destruct code she found in the notes from the Stable 9’s Overmare. She watched as the Stable exploded in a magnificent flash of light, and destroyed the mountain it was hidden in and the town below it.

Shadow would soon find herself in a bad storm, suffering from radiation sickness, and in need of shelter she’d find in an old tool factory. She met a nice Mr. Handy there named Watts who helped her rest up. She learned more about the Stable she’d just left while she waited there and more about the two brothers who ran the tool company and their work with the Ministries. She was interrupted though by The Grand Pegasus Enclave who broke into the factory looking for her. They wanted to find out what she knew about Stardust. The sad thing was that if she would’ve just given them the information they wanted, her life would’ve been very different, but Shadow wasn’t the kind of friend to give up on anypony. She fought the Enclave soldiers, with the help of a strange Pegasus and Watts. He didn’t stick around long after the Enclave ran, but he did help her as much as he could before he vanished in a flash of blinding light.

She was able to escape the Tool Factory and get a transmission out to The Steel Rangers who showed up a short time later to help her. They weren’t fast enough to get her away before they were attacked by The Red Talon company. It was here that Shadow first spoke with Aquila who told Shadow to call her Morning Star, saying she was a part of Shadow. She offered to help Shadow fight the griffons by lending her a small amount of her power. When she did, she lost control and killed one of the griffons and almost another along with The Steel Rangers. Only by Stabbing herself in the stomach was she able to take control again.

Before she blacked out from her wounds she was able to tell the Griffons that they were wrong about her. Shadow woke a few days later after a nightmare of a time from waking during surgery where she ripped herself open more and almost killed herself. She took time to recover and started to get to know Aura and Stardust more. They would later leave for New Pegasus to find a pony called Lonely Hearts who was the last known pony to see Shadow’s mother. The trio would meet a colt named Wingnut who they saved from Cazadores with his friend Honey Suckle. He would later join them on their adventure after they found he had nowhere to go.

Shadow would then make it to Freedom, which was on the outskirts of The Strip but still part of New Pegasus. She met the pony named Wrath who was an Enclave Soldier and part of an elite group called The Seven Sins of Equinity, then Pride and Greed. Shadow would learn more about Aura after finding her fighting with a pony called Tariff. They would get into New Pegasus, have fun in the casino, meet with the New Lunar Republic, Save the Synth Pony Lonely Hearts, and learn about her mother. She also met two more of The Sins and barely escaped. She wouldn’t have to wait long to meet them again, after being attacked by the idiotic Gluttony. She killed him then was forced to flee Freedom to escape the wrath of The Sins for killing one of their own, by taking on three jobs for the Queen, the leader of a large gang.

Both mares watched as the memories of Shadow passed by as quick as thinking. Both feeling more and more like this was part of their own life, the feeling only grew as they watched Shadow go deep into the sewers. As the mare Silver Snip kissed her, both mares felt like their hearts broke. They both recoiled as a feeling of love, pain, and loss filled them both almost losing hold on the spell. As the feeling passed however, something happened, both ponies started to feel like they were one.

“What is this feeling?” The Little White Mare asked, her magic barely holding. She felt as if her body and mind were being pulled into The Dark Mare.

The Dark Mare’s own magic felt as if it was getting stronger, the memories flying by were filling her with a sense of belonging, “I think this mare is me,” she said wishing she could understand more.

“Maybe she is, but I also feel the same, almost like I’m a part of this too, who are you? Who is she? Who am I?” The Little White Mare asked as she felt her strength giving out, her body starting to melt away as the memories flew by.

Shadow Star kissing the Sin Greed as payment for him helping her in The Bramble, the brothers who trapped her in a magic circle and called out Aquila, the meeting with the Alicorn on top of a tall mountain, meeting the older mare who was a pegasus in disguise, Shadow fighting The Enclave as they attacked Frosty Summit, and the fight with the Hooded Mare.

It was at this point that everything seemed to stop as The Dark Mare spoke, “I know that mare!” the memory stopped as Shadow looked out across the smoking field toward the shadowy figure that was the hooded mare mostly hidden by dust and smoke. She’d survived a brutal attack from the Alicorn. The smoke started to clear just a little and a small amount of the Pony who had been hidden under the hood was visible, A dark grey eye, a light blue coat under the eye, and a wisp of a grey mane, “It can’t be her…this can’t be possible. Why would she try to kill me?”

The Little White Mare couldn’t hold on much longer, “Who is it! Tell me quick before I lose everything, who is she!”

The memory started to move again and it was gone in a flash of visions, “I…I’m not sure, I had it only a moment ago, but now…I’m not sure if I was even right.”

The Little White Mare struggled to keep hold of the magic, for some reason it was important that she did or else everything would be lost, she didn’t know how she knew this, but she did, “I think I understand what happened!”

“What?” The Dark mare asked as the last of the memories flew by, visions of Shadow seeing her dead marefriend, fighting Pride, and killing him and the ponies of Appleton.

“We are both…” The Little White Mare tried to say, but the spell ended, her body vanished and was pulled into The Dark Mare becoming one once more. All the memories that they just witnessed came next, and I screamed…

***

I woke up from what felt like a confusing bad dream, yet it was so real. I felt as if I was witnessing two mares as they came together in a vast field. The Little White Mare, she looked like a younger me, a me that was back before mom took me to Stable 28. The Dark Mare was also me, the present me or maybe the past me before the genocide I committed in Appleton, a mare who was scared and confused. It was almost like witnessing my two halves becoming one, joining past and present, because without either one of them, the future wasn’t possible.

I shook my head then looked to see where I was…wait a second…Stable 28? How did I get here? The last thing I remember was seeing Aura and Wingnut coming to save me yet again, was that all a dream too. From the look of it I was in my own room? No wait, it was a double room like I shared with Auntie but this wasn’t the same room. My stuff was here, what little I had, but so was Milkshake’s. Was I dreaming still, dreaming of a time that could have been if I would have stayed in Stable 28? I looked down at the Mark II…but it wasn’t there, it had been replaced by the standard Stable 28 Pip-Buck 3000.

“You know I’ll never understand why you’re mind takes you back to this place whenever you try to hide away who you are,” Morning Star said walking into the room.

“Wait a second Morning Star? I thought you were gone after that attack from Pride?”

She did look like hell, her body looked frail and sickly, her eyes were sunken in and bloodshot, “I came very close to vanishing that’s for sure Shadow,” She came over and sat on the bed next to me, “I was lucky, the spell he used I’ve seen before, a long time ago. I’ve studied it and understood it probably more than even he did. Because of that I was able to hold on to a part of my power and myself, though I took a big hit and it will take time for me to regain the strength I lost.”

I sighed and laid down on the bed…my bed, “I’m not sure that would’ve been such a bad thing, ever since you came into my life It’s been nothing but hell.”

She sighed and did the same, lying next to me and looking up at the boring ceiling of the Stable, “Shadow, without me you wouldn’t be alive, and I don’t mean the attacks over the past few weeks.”

She kept looking up at the ceiling, “You may hate me because of the things I made you do, or because I scare you because you don’t understand who or what I am, but without me you would’ve died ten years ago. When I found you, you had a bad heart, you should’ve died many years before then, but you didn’t. Grim was keeping you alive by administering a very powerful spell on you every few days, more if you were having a bad week. Your body showed all the signs of a life being kept stable by magic. When I…found you, I guess that’s the best way of putting it, I merged with you,” she looked over at me after that, “Not what I wanted at the time, but it couldn’t be helped, but once I did I found what was wrong and seeing that if you died so would I, I cured you. Sadly, I didn’t know what was making you sick when I fixed your heart and I was greatly weakened by it.”

“That was not my intention, but yes. It was a side effect of the spell I had to use to keep you alive. I wish I could’ve fixed that, because that was what gave away my power to your mother. She used a spell on my weakened soul, and trapped me deep within you. I think she wanted to trap me away forever, but she was only able to hold me off for a few years. After that happened she took you to Stable 28, because the only pony she trusted was living there at the time. I don’t know how she convinced her Elder to let her stay there, but she did.”

I was captivated, I had no idea that Morning Star knew so much about what happened to me…us back then, “Is that why she took away my memories?”

She sighed again, “It may’ve been part of it, but I think she was scared that if you kept remembering the night we met, that I’d break free. She wiped everything from you, hoping that when the day your memory would return, you’d be old enough and strong enough to be able to stay in control of your own mind. She could’ve just been scared of what would happen if you said too much around the ponies in the Stable.”

“How do you know so much about what was going on if you were trapped in the back of my mind?”

“I was trapped and most of the time I was asleep, but I did have times where I could see and hear what was going on around me.”

She laughed, “Do you know what it’s like to be trapped away for over two hundred years, then when you think you’re free, you’re trapped again inside the mind of a little brat?”

She just kept laughing, “I wouldn’t expect you to understand, how could you? Let’s just say that I’m tired of being a prisoner, I want my own body, to be able to control my own magic, have my own life. I thought I had that when I first met you, but I ended up getting trapped again. I’m mean because I’m angry, hurt, and scared of always being like this.”

“Because I’m too weak to care one way or the other about what happens to me, as long as I live. I can’t promise that I’ll be so kind or helpful the next time we meet Shadow,” as she spoke I noticed that she was starting to fade, just like when we spoke in the ruined town just outside of Crimson Canyon.

I realized that right now it didn’t matter what happened in the past, I could figure that out later, one question was all I needed to know before she vanished again, “Why did Pride Call you Aquila?”

She smiled, “Finally, a question that matters. Aquila is my real name Shadow Star, at least the name given to me by ponies a long time ago, back when this land was still whole, and facing a war like no other had ever witnessed. I was named after the Aquila constellation when I was first discovered, or created back then. I’m a lot like you in a way Shadow, I don’t know where I came from or why I was created if that is the case. All I know is that my first memory is waking up in a lab, surrounded by ponies and trapped inside something that kept me from moving or using my power.”

“That sounds horrible, then why didn’t you tell me this when I first met you?”

“Because, at the time, I felt like if I could act like I was really you, the real you, I’d be able to get access to your mind easier. It also felt nice to not be known and to be a different pony for once in my horrible existence. I took one of your old names and the way you looked back then and made it my own. I became the older version of who Morning Star would have been. Now, enough questions Shadow, because I need to tell you something before I can’t anymore,” she said, her voice getting weak.

She smiled again, “It’s time you started finding out who you really are. I know you’ve heard it from ponies before, but this time I’m telling you. I know you better than you know yourself, but even I can’t bring up memories of you from farther back than a few months before I joined with you. When you found that Pip-Buck, your mother placed a spell on it that would’ve let you start remembering you’re past, I blocked that spell because by doing so I was able to get out of my cage. Now that I’m out and it doesn’t matter anymore you need to start remembering who you are.”

I had so much I wanted to ask her, but I knew time was short so I asked the only thing I could, “But how can I do that?”

“You already started to remember, and I’m sure you’ll start getting more memories now that you’ve unlocked your past with Silver. If you want to speed things up, you need to revisit places you’ve been before Stable 28, the only places I know of that may help are Silver’s home, finding Vervain in Stable 28 because you used to know her as well, or going to the hidden lab under the M.A.S.E.B.S. Tower just outside of Cartwheel,” Her body was fading fast, “Now Shadow, wake up, and remember that this is the only time I’m going to help you. After this, we will be enemies again.”

“Wait don’t go yet Aquila, please…” But she was gone, and a moment later the stable walls around me vanished, I was surrounded by darkness again, only this time, unlike when the Little White Mare was stuck in darkness or nothingness, I could see a glimmer of light. I took a moment to look back to where Aquila had been, “Thank you, even if you don’t see me as a pony you can trust or like, still thank you for helping me Aquila, even if it was only to help yourself.”

I looked up toward the speck of light and started to move toward it. I knew I was heading back to a life where it was hard, painful, and full of unanswered questions, but it was also the life where I had friends, friends who cared about me more than life itself. As I grew closer to the growing light, memories came back to me of Silver. I remembered the message she’d left for me when she knew she was going to die. I was so angry at her death that the first thing I did was go after Pride, I let wrath overtake me and because of it, I’d killed a lot of innocent ponies. I was going to have to pay for that, there was no way around it, the same went for what I did to Wingnut and Aura, I’d have to explain myself to them and beg them to forgive me for what I did. I also couldn’t give up on finding Stardust, he meant more to me than I could even put into words. It’s sad that with him gone, I was only just then seeing how great he was. I loved the stupid goofball I realized, not in the way most would think when they used the word love. I loved him like a big brother, he was a pony I looked up to and wanted to be like, I respect him and want him to be proud of me. I will find him, and I’ll tell him how great he really is, and I’ll be sure to help keep him away from The Enclave no matter what it costs.

The light was so bright now it was hard to keep looking at it, but I did, and I kept moving up. At this point I also realized that I had more to do before I started trying to find mom again. Aquila was right, I had to find out where I came from, who I really was. I’d start by following the Pip-Buck to where mom first got it, I’d have to go to Trotston, then I’d go to the place where I was told to go by the stallion who was whispering in my ear when I was knocked out in Frosty Summit. Then if I had to, I’d head back to Cartwheel and even Stable 28. I’d do it all…but first things first, “Stardust, wherever you are, I’m coming to get you. If you’re still alive just wait a little bit longer. It’s about time I saved you…”

The light flashed and my eyes opened…truly opened to the world I was now a part of, and always would be…

Processing... 97%... 98%... 99%... 100%

[LEVEL UP!]

NEW PERK ADDED!

Genocidal Maniac: You’ve killed hundreds in one hell of a blast and now low-level enemies tremble in fear and may flee without a fight.

***

I awoke to see Dr. Cottage staring at me next to the bed, “You’re an idiot.”

He rolled his eyes, “No, you’re at my private practice right outside Freedom. It’s been about a week since Birdy brought you in here. She flew me here from Frosty Summit the day you got here because the incompetent morons that work here couldn’t decide how to treat your injuries.”

“A week!? You’ve gotta be kidding me. How could I have been out for a week?” the dream I had came back to me, the dream of two mares, one white, and the other black. It felt like it’d been a long time in that meadow, but a week?

He smirked like a jackass, “Easy, I put you in a medically induced coma. Your injuries were pretty severe and after rejoining your damaged organs I couldn’t have you waking up after surgery and moving around too much. Couldn’t risk causing internal bleeding.”

“Maybe but I did REAL doctor stuff. I didn’t use magic crutches because sometimes magic can’t fix everything. Anyhow I took my chance to examine you again a bit further while you slept and unfortunately it turns out that you’re just short, which is disappointing.”

“Sorry I asked. Where are Aura and Wingnut?” I asked, feeling a little creeped out by his response to my previous question.

“Birdy and Shrimpy are in the other room waiting for you to wake up. I’d get up and tell them but I’ve got a bum leg,” he said popping another one of his zebra pills into his mouth.

He got up and limped out of the room mumbling to himself, “This is why I don’t deal with patients. Where’s 21 when you need her?”

A few minutes later Aura and Wingnut walked in. They still looked pissed, especially Wingnut. Aura didn’t look like she was even going to say a word, she just leaned against the wall and crossed her talons. Wingnut however came right next to the bed and sat down. I didn’t expect what he said when he opened his mouth, “How dare you leave us without saying a word. How are we supposed to find Stardust when we have to worry about you? Did you think for a second that we’d believe that BS about you running off to Manehattan?”

I looked away from his accusing eyes, “No I didn’t, but I didn’t have a choice.”

“Yeah, Wind Thrasher filled us in on the details about what happened and why you left. You should’ve still told us what was going on, you should’ve put more faith in us. Do you really think Aura or I would have risked Silver’s life by following you to Halo One? Do you really distrust us so much?” he shouted.

I looked at him angrily, “Listen to me kid, I had no choice. I was told by Envy that I had to leave as soon as I was finished writing you that note and to make sure I wasn’t followed by you two.”

“Because they didn’t know who she was, I still did what I was told. Wind Thrasher was an unknown and I figured she could help me get Silver back without turning myself over to the Sins,” I retorted, I wasn’t going to let this Colt treat me like I was the child…even if I did deserve it.

Wingnut sighed then said, “What I’m trying to say Shadow is that you did something stupid, and I don’t mean just by leaving us behind to go off on your own. You had no Idea what you were getting yourself into and because of it, Silver’s dead and so is most of Appleton. All you had to do was tell one of the Red Talons what was going on and they would’ve told Aura as soon as we got back and we could’ve helped you and probably saved Silver. But no, you had to go off on your own, make up some stupid plan, and because of it, she died. That’s on you Shadow.”

Now I was going passed the point of angry to pissed, “Don’t you dare put that on me you little shit, they never planned on letting her go Wingnut, even if I did turn myself in.”

“And how could you have known that? You jumped the gun and she died because of it Shadow!”

“She died a couple days before I found her Wingnut! Pride killed her a few hours after she got to Halo One. If you don’t believe me then look in my saddle bags, she left me a message. Greed made sure to get it to me once I got away from that place. You can tell me how stupid it was for me to jump the gun as you said, and I agree. You can tell me how stupid it was for me leave you two behind, and I’ll agree with that too. But don’t you dare tell me that Silver died because of what I did. Silver could’ve gotten away, Greed even offered to let her go and help her, but she didn’t. She stayed and died because she knew that as soon as she left, Envy would’ve killed me. She died so I could live!”

The colt’s eyes went wide and he looked away for a moment, “I didn’t know Shadow.”

“I know, and that’s why you shouldn’t just jump to conclusions like you did. I understand that you and Aura are angry with me and you have every right to be, but you need to know the facts first.”

Aura cleared her throat, “I hate to agree with Shadow Boss, but she’s right, and she did try to leave a hint that something was going on in her note.”

So, Aura figured out what I meant with my post scripts, “So you did catch that Aura?”

“It’s not often you tell me that I’m right Shadow, when I saw that I knew something was wrong with your letter. We started looking for you as soon as I realized what you meant.” Aura said, then looked away.

Wingnut sighed again, “That’s all beside the point now Shadow, what really pissed us off was what you did in Appleton.”

“You’re right I don’t understand; do you have any idea what you did Shadow? Somehow you activated an extremely powerful weapon and fired it at the middle of one of the bigger trading settlements in The Marejave Wasteland, and you destroyed a part of Stratus as well. And for what? To kill Pride? Was it really worth killing over three hundred Ponies just to take down one Sin?”

His words hit like a ton of bricks, because they reminded me of what I’d done. I pretty much committed mass genocide and killed ponies who were trying to escape, “I’m sorry… I didn’t…”

Wingnut Interrupted me, “You didn’t think is what happened. What if I was one of those colts that got vaporized by that blast? What would you be then huh? Would you be just sorry like you are now, or would you feel real remorse? I swear that thing in your head is twisting your mind. Wind Thrasher told me that you used its power to fight Pride before you fired that weapon. Then you have the cowardly idea to just die after you killed all those ponies. Silver wouldn’t want that, she’d want you to keep on living for the both of you. So, get your shit together and stop being so stupid. What’s going to happen is, we’re gonna get out of here and look for Stardust whether you’re drowning in self-pity or not.”

“Wingnut, when I fired that weapon I didn’t even know what it was. I wasn’t even thinking about killing anypony, I thought both Wind Thrasher and I were going to die. I only pulled the trigger because I thought it would be one last ‘Fuck you’ at Pride before he killed us. If I could go back and stop myself from doing it I would.”

He got up and walked back toward Aura. He stopped then looked back at me, “This is how things are going to work now Shadow. Aura works for me now, I’ve ordered her to keep an eye on you and to make sure you don’t try and run off again. We have a lead on Stardust and as soon as Syn gets back to us with the rest of the information on where he is, we’re gonna go save him. You can either follow us and help us save him, or you can step up and be the leader again and the hero of The Wasteland like we all know you are. Well just this general region anyway. Just know that it might take a while for ponies around here to trust you again. Right now nopony knows who fired that weapon, but DJ Pon3 reported seeing you in Appleton before the blast. Sooner or later the truth will get out, if you don’t want ponies to hate you, you’re going to have to show them who you really are.”

I sighed then nodded, “I understand Wingnut,” then I looked up at Aura, “Can you forgive me for what I did?”

Aura just shrugged, “I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t mad at you for dropping my contract like you did, but I’ve had time to kill things and get over it. Honestly, it’s easier for me working for the kid. He needs my protection more than you do and I can be more honest with you now about things. So yes, I’ll forgive you for what happened, but I’m still mad.”

I got out of the bed and stretched my sore muscles, “Good, because I have a lot to talk to you two about. Things have changed since I last saw you and I think it’s about time we all started being more honest with each other. First let’s get out of this clinic and head into Freedom, I need to have a word with The Queen.”

Aura and Wingnut looked like they were going to say something when somepony cleared their throat from the doorway, “Not sorry to interrupt but having a gun jammed into the back of my skull is extremely uncomfortable,” Dr. Cottage said. There was a strangely dressed Zebra behind him holding a carbine rifle to his head, “I think they want to speak with you.”

In an instant Wingnut and Aura had their weapons aimed and ready to fire. I noticed that there were more behind him in the other room, at least a dozen. The one holding Dr. Cottage hostage lowered his weapon, “Please, we did not come here to fight. It’s just that this physician is rather rude and difficult. We asked politely to see you and he responded with derogatory remarks and sarcasm, so we used force. Forgive me for my intrusiveness, I’m looking for The Courier from the radio. The Caesar would like to have a word with her about the pony known as Pride.”

I sighed, thinking to myself what else could happen, “Just let them in, I’ll hear them out I guess.”

Aura and Wingnut put away their weapons and all the Zebras entered, crowding around me in the small room. The one wearing the most animal skins stepped forward, “Greetings Shadow Star, I am Ratahn, the Caesar of The Romans. A few days ago, two of my subordinates returned to camp with news that you’ve struck down the demon Pride. Recently he’s been restricting our ascension to power in The Marejave Wasteland, obliterating conquering parties attempting to take unfortified land. It’s either we keep going to places where he happens to be or he was deliberately hindering us. However now that he’s dead we can take the opportunity to expand and get the advantage in our battle with the New Lunar Republic and that is thanks to you.”

“Uuuhhh… you’re welcome? It was kind of an accident and if you haven’t heard I killed more than just Pride. If anypony is a demon it’s me, I used to have the means to prove it.”

“This spirit or something that was living in my head, Pride called her Aquila. I can’t feel her presence anymore so I think she’s gone for good,” I said, but I wasn’t so sure that was true. I could remember that dream and talking to Aquila before I woke up. Was that really her or just an echo of her left behind after the spell Pride used killed her?

He sighed, “I see. You’re a victim that’s been taken prisoner by a demon of the stars. Don’t be so sure that this Aquila is gone forever, she could only be weakened for the time being. Knowing this I’d like to make you an offer, but you’ll need to complete a task for me in the future. My sources tell me that you’ve been invited into The Lucky Horseshoe to speak to Mr. Tops. If you’re willing I’d be eternally grateful if you could investigate him further and tell me what his plans are so that I can determine whether they interfere with my own.”

“What if I say no? I’d like to keep myself neutral with the different groups in The Wasteland. It’s nothing against you, I just don’t want to seem bias toward any particular faction.”

He rubbed his muzzle, “I suppose if you say no you say no. Your choices are your own. However, if you cross me in any way it will be your end. I came here to speak with you personally because of what you did to Pride. It is not often that I personally meet with anyone unless they have earned my respect, and you have done so Courier. You should be honored.”

“I’ll go to see Mr. Tops but there’s no guarantee that I’ll do that for you, it’s mostly out of my own curiosity.”

“Very well then, come see me at Palisade Hill across the river if you decide to assist me,” Ratahn said marking the location on my Pip-Buck.

“That is all I ask,” he turned to the other Zebras, “Let us return to camp. We need to keep training for the coming battle,” he stopped then looked back at me, “I have one more question for you Courier.”

“I heard a rumor that you are looking for a mare that goes by the name of Grimoire Spell.”

He smiled slightly, “If you were, I’d like to know the reason. If it is to aid her then I may have to change my mind about you and consider you my enemy. If you are looking for her for some kind of Revenge, well…I’d like to aid you in finding her.”

Not wanting to get on the wrong side of the leader of these zebra’s I did my best to keep my face neutral as I said, “Why would you want to help me find her?”

His smiled grew, “Because, I have a large bounty on that mare’s head, she betrayed me many years ago and I’d like nothing more than to have her head brought to me on a stake. Good day Courier.”

As they all left I contemplated what he could have to offer in exchange for information and how it could help me, and what he knew about my mother. I also thought about Stardust and what the entire Wasteland must think of me after what I’ve done. All this stress was too much to think about at once. On one hoof I have the opportunity to help find Stardust and on the other hoof I could take Mr. Tops up on his invitation and maybe help Ratahn. But do I really want to help The Romans? The NLR seems to be on the good side and if The Romans are enemies of theirs then they can’t be all that good. However, there’s always two sides to every story. The question is which one to believe. The NLR may seem good, but they were also enemies with the Steel Rangers, and I’m friends with them too.

Sitting there thinking I didn’t notice Wingnut talking, “HELLO! ANYBODY HOME!? I’m talking to you!”

“I guess I’ll go see Mr. Tops. He wants to meet me face to face anyway and he might have the resources to help us find where The Enclave has Stardust. I just hope he’s okay. I know he’s not okay because he’s being held captive by The Enclave but I hope he’s not hurt or anything,” I replied.

“Only if you promise to fly me back to my better office with the slightly less STUPID idiots and my favorite thinking ball. Sure, it’s a little messy right now after the second attack, but that’s beside the point that it’s better than this craphole,” Dr. Cottage said condescendingly.

Aura looked a little sheepish for a moment, “Wrath sort of escaped captivity in Frosty Summit.”

“Yeah, yeah, it explains everything. Can I go now?” Dr. Cottage interrupted.

“Sure, let’s go,” Aura replied, looking back at me and Wingnut, “I’ll catch up to you two in a little while.

I stretched again then put on my barding. My body still ached from the beating I took and I still felt a bit groggy. As I gathered the rest of my things Aura started on her way back to Frosty Summit with Dr. Cottage. Wingnut barely talked to me the whole time, he just had this angry blank stare that seemed to cut deep into my soul. I feel horrible about what I’ve done, it’s something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

The clinic wasn’t too far from the entrance to Freedom, maybe about a ten minute walk. Wingnut still wasn’t talking so I decided to break the silence, “So, where’d Wind Thrasher go?”

“She went to The Queen’s School of Interpretation to talk to Doorstop. Since he knows things about The Enclave, he might have an idea of where they brought Stardust. She was with us for a few days while you were under comatose but left yesterday after getting fed up with Dr. Cottage's constant offensive questions and groping,” he replied, still not sounding too pleased with our current situation.

As we entered Freedom I noticed that it wasn’t the same entrance we came into before, maybe that’s why I don’t remember seeing the clinic on the way here last time. I saw two foals chasing some sort of mutated rat, but before I could mention it to Wingnut he’d already un-holstered his revolver and started shooting at the creature. He hit it three out of five times that he shot and as soon as it collapsed the two foals chasing it picked it up and carried it away.

He put his gun away and answered, “They’re probably going to eat it. Figured I’d save them the time and energy trying to kill it themselves. They’re probably so food deprived that they would’ve tired themselves out before they caught it and eventually starved to death.”

“That’s horrible. You’d think The Queens wouldn’t let there be homeless starving foals running around their town eating the meat of whatever that was.”

“No, I just thought The Queen would at least do something to help them. And with the meat thing, I’ll try anything once.”

I managed to get him to smile a little bit at my crack about meat, “She’s already tried helping them but they won’t accept her help. Littlehoof has even invited them to live there but they refuse to come. They say they don’t want to rely on anyone and turn into helpless agoraphobics.”

He looked at me like I was an idiot, “It means you don’t ever want to go into the outside world among civilization because you’re afraid.”

We went through the checkpoint into The Strip and I saw a Securipony guarding the front of The Luck Horseshoe, only this time there was a set of doors. It looked as if it was covered up before somehow. The Securipony left its post at the door and approached us, “Good afternoon, I assume you are here for your meeting with Mr. Tops.”

The robot opened the door, “Very well, I will escort you inside. Unfortunately, your companion must remain here, access to the public is restricted.”

“Pfft…I’ll be fine. The only thing I have to worry about on The Strip is being barfed on by a drunk. I’ll wait around here so you can find me when you’re done, and don’t you try and run off, I’ll be watching,” he said before walking away.

***

The inside of the old casino was dark and dusty, it looked like the only recent activity was the track left in the dust by the securipony’s wheel. The air was so stale and saturated with dust that it was a bit hard to breathe. Inside the entrance was a large desk where guests would check in and out, behind the desk was an open room full of poker and blackjack tables, and along the walls where the dusty shells of old slot machines long ago shut down. There was an upper level with a bar and lounge that looked over the casino floor. For being such a large tower that could be seen for miles, The Lucky Horseshoe seemed pretty small on the inside. I followed the Securipony to the elevator and waited as I heard the car creak down the shaft. The elevator doors squeaked open and caked on dirt crumbled from the top of the doors.

The elevator ride was eerie and silent standing next to the large robot, the elevator creaked and moaned as it ascended to the penthouse floor. When the door finally opened I was surprised to be bombarded with light through the windows. When my eyes finally adjusted again from the darkness of the casino floor and elevator I was able to see that we were almost at the top of the tower. The light coming in from the windows wasn’t sunlight, it was just the white paint reflecting the light outside that came through the clouds and the light from the neon on the rest of The Strip.

The penthouse wasn’t dusty and dirty like the casino floor was, it actually looked pretty clean. I suppose if there was somepony living here they wouldn’t let it get that dirty in the first place. I stepped out of the elevator and went down some stairs to the window. The view was amazing, you could see everything from Freedom to as far as the eye could see.

I followed him into the next room and saw a giant mess of computers and wired hooked up to a giant screen that read ‘Please Stand By’. Then the screen lit up with the face of Mr. Tops, “Hello, I’m glad you came.”

Okay something wasn’t adding up here, “Wait a sec, I thought we were gonna meet face to face. As in the same room face to face. You’re talking to me through a computer, that’s not face to face.”

His facial expression on the screen changed, “Unfortunately that’s something I can’t do. You see, I am here, but I’m in a different part of the building. The reason I can’t be there with you is simple, I’m ill and can’t let any kind of bacteria reach me or I’ll surely die.”

The picture of his face changed to a smile, “Forgetful, are we? Don’t you remember that I needed to give you something or have you really forgotten?”

My thoughts stirred around for a moment because I really did forget, but I didn’t want him to know it. Shit, I’m gonna look stupid in front of a very rich pony, “Uh, I didn’t forget I was just trying to wrap my head around things.”

He chuckled, “It’s really alright if you forgot, I won’t hold it against you. However, what I’m about to give you is extremely important, you need to make sure you don’t misplace it.”

“No, I’m not scanning anything that’s gonna get me in trouble with any of the groups around New Pegasus. I’ve already pissed off The Enclave and they’re shitty enough to deal with as it is,” I interrupted.

He sighed, “If you would let me finish I’ll explain the situation. You won’t be scanning anything around here, what I require lies in Los Alicorn underneath The U.E.L.A. it's an old pre war university I’m sure you’re familiar with The Ministry by now and what they create. Their technology is the key to my recovery, synthetics. I’ve already told you that I’m ill but that isn’t the whole story, I’m dying. I thought I could create a robot body to transfer into but unfortunately, I can’t bond a soul to a piece of metal, I need a living body, and the generation three synths are the key. Their generation three synths are indistinguishable from normal ponies. I need to know how they’re made so I can gain the means to make myself a new body. And before you say no I’ll have you know that The Ministry is a horrible organization, for no apparent reason they replace completely normal ponies with synth copies. Sometimes they even take ponies from their homes in the middle of the night. So what do you say?”

“So…you want me to go to Los Alicorn and break into their old university to scan their network so you can make a new body that can hold a soul. Y’know if you’re a ghoul you’re not sick, most ghouls live pretty normal lives until they die or go feral. I’m just figuring you’re a ghoul because you’ve been here for longer than any pony’s natural lifespan.”

The screen changed to an annoyed face, “I’m not a ghoul and I can prove as much. I’ve never been exposed to radiation, or at least not enough to ghoulify me.”

He groaned, “That is a very long and uninteresting story that I’d rather not share right now. Are you going to do this for me or not? You aren’t the only one that can, but you are the closest, the only others are on the other side of Equestria and I don’t think any of my securiponies would be able to make the trek all the way there and back without something destroying them.”

“I’ll do it on one condition, actually two. One you help me find my friend who was taken by The Enclave, Stardust. Two I don’t have to do it immediately because I have other things to take care of that are of upmost importance,” I said trying my best to sound more intelligent.

“Stardust eh?” he said then mumbled to himself for a minute, “He’s friends with Leather Lace if I remember right, hmm,” after a few moments of silence he spoke again, “I can work with those conditions. I may be dying but the end is far from near, I just need to stay in my cleanroom. As for your friend, I have my ways of finding things out from ponies. I’m sure there’s someone in The Grand Pegasus Enclave that will accept a bribe of sorts, otherwise I might be able to compromise their network without leaving any electronic hoofprints and get the information that way, but it will take a tad more time.”

The picture on the screen changed to a soft smile, “Thank you very much and before I forget, there’s a special way to get into The Ministry. It isn’t just a simple door, since the whole thing is completely sealed there’s no way in by normal means, unless of course you used a giant drill to dig a hole underground. You’ll need that chip sitting next to the network scanner under my screen. Their teleporter signal operates on a certain frequency that only the chip can find and hijack to teleport you and anyone within five to eight feet of you inside. It won’t work to get back out though, but I’m sure they have an emergency exit somewhere if they need it. Those ponies are just as paranoid about outsiders as other ponies are about their synths.”

“That seems a little farfetched. I know teleportation is possible by magic but that technology in the world we live in now seems impossible.”

“I assure you it’s not impossible, they’ve been around for a long time hiding underground in their laboratories and whatnot. Who knows what else they’ve come up with over the years?”

“I guess that makes sense. Is there anything else I need to know before I go in there?” I said, still trying to wrap my head around the idea of teleportation without magic.

From what I could tell on the monitor he was shrugging, “I don’t know. Like The Lucky Horseshoe, nopony has ever been inside The Ministry except for the ones who work for them and they usually never leave unless it’s absolutely necessary, otherwise they send out some of their synths. Most of the time they’re generation one and two synths that are just robots that can easily be destroyed and are as unintelligent as a common bloatsprite.”

“Really? Wow, I gotta write down underground fortress on my list of in case I turn into an evil mastermind ideas.”

He smiled, “Ah yes very good. Now please retrieve the network scanner and signal interceptor and be on your way. I wouldn’t want to keep your little friend downstairs waiting. By the way I apologize for making him stay outside, I like my privacy and most ponies tend to snoop when they aren’t under a watchful eye.”

I would’ve left then and there, but I had a rare chance here being in The Lucky Horseshoe. I looked back up at the monitor and asked, “Before I go could you answer something for me?”

His expression changed to thoughtful, “There are a lot of things I’m sure I could answer for you, what is it you want to know? Keep in mind that doesn’t mean I will answer you, it depends on the question asked.”

“Around five years ago, a mare tried to get into The Lucky Horseshoe. She failed from what I heard, but I was told that she was able to get into contact with you. Her name was Grimoire, I want to know what she wanted with you.”

The face changed to an interested smile, “Grimoire huh? I thought you intrigued me before Shadow Star, now I’m even more curious about you. Well, I’ll answer your question if you answer my own. Who is she to you?”

I figured telling him wouldn’t matter so I answered, “She’s my mother, she left me in my stable many years ago and I’ve been following her trail ever since I got out. Any information you have about her could help me out a lot.”

He laughed, “Haha, well wouldn’t you know it, I wouldn’t have ever thought I’d meet two ponies from the same family like this. You’re correct Shadow Star, she did try and get into The Lucky Horseshoe, she even got past the protective shudder outside. She didn’t make it past the door itself, but she got closer than anypony in the past hundred and sixty years.”

“Yes she did, but later after she did some digging and finally got my attention. I’d rather not go into details on my meeting with her, but I’ll tell you this. I set up a meeting with her through an external terminal like I did with you at Halo One. She was looking into something that had to do with this tower and some project she was looking into from back during the war. In the end I had to tell her that the project she was trying to find information on I didn’t know anything about, but I heard of a pony who did. He was a Dashite named Striker, I’d heard that he had old files from before the war that would help her on her quest, but at the time I didn’t know where he was.”

That was the same information I’d gotten from Lonely Hearts too, I was hoping he’d know more information that could help me find her. I may not be trying to locate her at the moment, but the information would’ve been helpful later on, “That’s about the same as what I heard from Lonely Hearts, that’s too bad.”

“The funny thing is Shadow, you aren’t the first pony to come looking for Grimoire,” he continued, “An Enclave officer was also looking for her and asking me the same thing as you about a year ago.”

I looked back at him shocked, “Who was this pony, and why were they looking for her?”

“His name was Nightshade if I remember correctly, he was a high-ranking officer from Stratus. He didn’t go into much detail about what he wanted with her, but he said she committed some crime against The Enclave and his family. Something to do with the disappearance of a filly,” Mr. Tops said.

I felt my blood turn to ice at that name, it was the pony from that memory orb. He was the one who was looking for mom when she left the Stable. What filly was he looking for, was it me? But if it was, why would he be looking for me? He knew where I was too, I hadn’t left the Stable yet and mom told him where I was. It couldn’t be me he was looking for, not back then. Did Mom take another filly from The Enclave and he was hunting her down still? Why is it every time I learn something new about her, I have ten more questions?

“Like I said he didn’t go into much detail, I don’t even think he thought he’d find her and I wasn’t going to tell him the other information I knew about her. He had a dangerous look in his eyes and I liked Grimoire, I wasn’t going to give a pony like him information that could lead to her death.”

The interested look came to his face again on the screen, “Just because I hadn’t spoken directly to her in many years, that didn’t mean I didn’t keep my eyes on her. Up until quite a few months ago I was tracking her movements and watching what she was doing. The last time I knew where she was, her location was just north of Trotston. I had her Pip-Buck Tag and the day I lost her signal she’d just skirted around the city and was on her way north toward Spitfire’s Flight Academy. She was about halfway between the two cities when her signal died, I sent some securiponies to the location to find her, but they didn’t find a body anywhere. I’m not sure where she went, or what happened, but I haven’t been able to locate her Pip-Buck’s signal since.”

Right around the time her signal stopped moving according to the Mark II. If a body wasn’t found, then maybe she was still alive. What if she knew she was being tracked and she removed her Pip-Buck? I looked back at Mr. Tops and asked, “Is there anything else you can tell me about her or this Nightshade?”

He took a moment to think then finally said, “She went to Hoofington a couple of months after I met with her, that I know for sure, she moved from there to Manehatten, she stayed there for a good six or seven months, wandering around the settlements around there. She went to places like New Appleloosa, Ponyville, Fetlock, Friendship City, and oddly Shattered Hoof Ridge. When she left that area she headed back west, but didn’t come back to New Pegasus, she stopped in The Midwest and headed up to Saints Parish. Around that area I lost her signal for many months, but I’m not surprised. The area around there, messes with signals because of the Arora Borealis, the radiation from the solar storm causes electromagnetic interference and other issues with electronics, even Pip-Bucks. When I found her again she was heading back this way. The rest of the time she wandered around the towns around New Pegasus until I lost her again like I told you before.”

I did everything I could to remember the locations as I asked, “What about Hoofington, where did she go around there?”

“Not many places really, she mostly stuck around The Arena, Mega Mart, Weather Station Delta, and a small town Called Chapel. She also kept going back to the Rainbow Dash Skyport, but I couldn’t tell you why.”

He sighed and said, “All I know about Nightshade is he’s a strange pony. For a long time, he lived in The Crystal Empire and Nimbus. I know his family is from there, but he took a position in Stratus over Ten years ago and worked his way up the ranks. A few months ago, he became the newest member of The Council in Stratus. He used to come down here to New Pegasus a lot when he was a solider, but since he took the new job he hasn’t come back down here that I know of. He’s also the pony who helped set up the deal I have with The Enclave here on The Strip and in Freedom. I’d tell you more, but he keeps a lot of information about himself quiet, and mostly only talks business about the Enclave. The only time I’d seen him let something slip is when he was looking for your mother.”

“I only have one more question,” I said, remembering the voice I heard when I was out in Frosty Summit, “What can you tell me about Spitfire’s Flight Academy?”

“Not much, it’s one of the few settlements I haven’t even been able to get information on. All I know is that about fifty years ago ponies settled there, they call themselves The Annihilators. Ever since they took over they’ve used the weaponry that was left there from before the mega spells, to keep anypony out, at least ponies they didn’t like. I also know the ponies in Trotston have had their problems with The Annihilators over the years as well. That’s all I know about them, before they took over I know there were always rumors about Enclave soldiers going in and out of the place, but I’ve never had proof,” he replied.

“Hmm, well I think that’s all I need to know for now. Thank you for all the information Mr. Tops.”

“If it helps you Shadow and helps you have more trust in me, then it was no problem. Now you should get going, like I said before I’d hate to keep your little friend waiting any longer, oh and also Shadow, that weapon you used in Appleton…don’t let it fall into the wrong hooves. It’s an extremely dangerous piece of machinery.”

He laughed, “I know just about everything that happens around New Pegasus. I understand why you had to use it, but next time, think before you fire a weapon you know nothing about.”

“You aren’t gonna try to take it away from me?” I asked a little surprised.

“Shadow Star, what use do I have for something like that? I’m a shut-in, and I’m not like the Steel Rangers. If you promise to be careful the next time you use it, then I won’t take it away from you.”

He laughed again, “Shadow, this town was able to withstand the destruction of Equestria; I’m not worried about a weapon that can only be fired once a day. Goodbye Shadow Star, I look forward to the next time we meet.”

I would’ve argued that point but he was right, he also had a point about not letting Wingnut in. Wingnut does have a talent for disappearing to go look at something shiny across the room and two floors down. So, I took both things from under his monitor and was escorted out of the room and back to the elevator by the securipony. But before I left, I noticed a picture sitting on a desk next to the elevator, it was a picture of three ponies. It was Falafel, Lilly, and Flapjack, the day they opened The Lucky Horseshoe. And next to the picture I saw a memory orb giving off a silver green glow. Making sure the securipony couldn’t see me, I used my magic to grab it quickly and slip it into my saddle bags. I managed to do it without getting pulled into the orb, and nopony saw. With a grin, I followed the robot into the elevator and we went down.

***

When I got back outside I saw Wingnut sitting on the steps scraping his hoof on the ground. I knew I didn’t have any reason to worry about him staying out here alone, but right now anything could happen. He must’ve heard the door close behind me because he turned to me and said, “Took you long enough, the anticipation was killing me. What was it like in there? Was it as fancy as ponies say it was before the war? Is there any cool tech that no other casinos have? Does Mr. Tops really have the fabled mustache? Why is the door always lock…”

I interrupted before he could ramble out any more questions, “Just cool your jets with all the questions. You’ll make your head explode, or bite your tongue, whichever comes first. No, it’s not fancy, it’s caked with dust and grime. There is tech in there that I’m pretty sure no other casinos have, but they don’t really relate to business, and from what I saw he does have a mustache. At least that’s what the pony on the screen had when I was talking to him.”

He cocked his head, “Pony on the screen? You didn’t actually physically meet Mr. Tops?”

“Nope, dude needs a cleanroom or something so he doesn’t get contaminated because he’s sick. However, he never explained how he can be over one-hundred and fifty years old. I suspected he was a ghoul, but he shot down that one real fast. Anyway, enough questions I just wanna get out of here, we still need to talk to The Queen. I have some things I need to know about Trotston before I go there and The Queen knows pretty much anything there is to know.”

“But..,” oh great now he’s going to whine, “…What about Stardust? Did you ask if he’d help?”

“Of course I did, and all I gotta do is break into The Ministry to steal data from them so he can make a new body that he can transfer his soul into like some stupid science fiction novel,” I replied nonchalantly.

The conversation stopped while we passed through the checkpoint into Freedom once more, but after getting through the gate he said, “Are you kidding me? The Ministry is in Los Alicorn, not to mention no pony knows exactly where it is.”

I interrupted for a moment, “Mr. Tops does. It’s under a place called U.E.L.A. apparently.”

He just gave me a look of disbelief, “Uh huh sure…it’s under The University of Equestria Los Alicorn, the most prestigious and technologically advanced school in Equestria before the war. Wait a sec…that actually makes sense. Sorry I think I just had a brain-fart.”

“What the hell is a brain-fart and why must you use such words in my presence? That’s one of those things you shouldn’t say in front of mares if you want them to like you.”

He straightened up a little as he walked, looking more posh and explained, “A neurological-error otherwise known as a BRAIN-fart is a sudden involuntary burst of ignorance that effects the brain in many ways that include stupidity.”

I can’t believe he actually came up with a definition for it, “Uh huh, ok. Remind me never to question the words you or Wind Thrasher use that I don’t know ever again. If you do that I’ll help you understand that mares don’t like it when stallions say or do something gross or unsanitary.”

He smiled, “Ok will do, but you said you were gonna ask about Trotston. Why the sudden interest?”

“The reason I need to go to Trotston is that I’d like to know more about the Mark II and they’re the survivors of Stable 9, the stable that at one time had all three of them inside with ponies using them. If I can find someone there who knows how to use the Mark II properly, I can have them help me understand this damn thing better instead of accidentally finding out what this thing can do. Also, Wind Thrasher is from Stable 9 and wants to go with us to Trotston, she wants to see if they’ll forgive her for what Dr. Cell made her do.”

He gave me a funny look, “If that Dr. Cell guy made her do the things she did, then why would they be mad at her? Wasn’t she being controlled with a collar?”

“Yeah, she was being controlled with a collar but she was made to slaughter dozens of ponies unwillingly and as you already know she was experimented on by Dr. Cell, so to the survivors she still represents the terrifying monster that was killing everypony. She’s pretty nervous about the whole thing, but I’m sure once they realize she isn’t being controlled anymore they’ll come around, or at least I hope so.”

He nodded his head, “I can see you’re point, I just hope things go better for us there then it did when we went to The Bramble or Frosty Summit.”

The Queens School of Interpretation was the same as ever when we walked in, ponies from the gang standing around smoking, others drinking various varieties of liquor, and Sugar Buck making other stallions uncomfortable, “Why helloooo there. You must be one of the new members, how’d ya like to go upstairs and complete your initiation?”

“Uh…I’d rather not. No offense but I’m not really into that kind of thing.”

“Surreee…ya ain’t. You’ll come around, they ALLLLL do. There ain’t no resistin’ Sugar Buck. I mean c’mon, look at the way my muscles bulge when they flex; sssssexy.”

Ok this was just too rich to not laugh, “HAHAHA! Sugar Buck I think he’s had enough.”

In a split second his head snapped toward me, “Shadow well ain’t you a sight for sore eyes, where’s the more attractive one in your group, and the griffon?”

“I thought The Queen would’ve told you. Stardust was taken by The Sins, Aura is taking Dr. Cottage back to Frosty Summit but she came here to collect our payment from The Queen so we could pay The Red Talons to help track him down.”

The look on Sugar Buck’s face was hard to read at first, it was like he was stuck between shock and disbelieve, he put up a hoof and said, “Hold on there Shadow honey, rewind for a moment. Did you just say that my beautiful winged stallion was taken by The Sins?”

My eyes fell as I answered, “Yeah, it was over a week ago, we’ve been trying to find him ever since.”

His pompadour fell along with his jaw. Then the muscular pony fell to the ground and started to yell, “Celestia tell me it’s not true, how can fate be so cruel to let those nasty ugly enclave dogs take my handsom stallion of the clouds. Why do bad things always happen to such beautiful stallions?” then he jumped to his hooves his expression changing from angry and sad to powerful and commanding, “Don’t you worry Shadow honey, we’ll find Stardust and get him back from the hooves of those disgraceful excuses for ponies,” he ran toward the door almost knocking me over as he shouted out the open door, “Don’t you worry my tall dark and beautiful Stardust, Sugar Buck’s comin’”

I walked over toward him, “Hold up Sugar Buck, like I said we’re already looking for him. Now Mr. Tops has joined in on the search and…”

“Mr. Tops!? First of all, how did you get him to help you and second, how did you even talk to him?”

Wingnut answered before I could, “She got to go into The Lucky Horseshoe and talk to him!”

The room suddenly fell silent and all eyes drew to me as I shrunk, “Uh…yeah…Wingnut shut up,” I couldn’t think of anything to cover my ass, “Yes, I was invited into The Lucky Horseshoe by Mr. Tops because he needs me to do something for him that he thinks only I am capable of doing for some reason or another. In turn instead of getting paid in caps I asked if he’d help me find Stardust because he has the resources to do so.”

Sugar Buck sighed, “I don’t know Shadow, Mr. Tops isn’t a pony you should be trustin’ so easily. From what I know he’s obsessed with power, so much so that when the dwellers of Stable 21 opened the stable doors and turned the whole stable into a hotel he had a lot of it filled with concrete because it deterred tourists on The Strip from the casinos to stay in a more inexpensive place. All he really cares about is himself and his money, not to mention the power he holds over The Strip.”

“He seemed pretty normal to me when I met him. Sure, what he wants me to do for him is a bit selfish, but he admitted to it being selfish and was very polite. From what I perceived, he’s just an old pony that wants a second chance at life.”

Sugar Buck gave me the same funny look that Wingnut gave me earlier, “What do ya mean by SECOND chance?”

I panicked a little on the inside, “Uh…I’ll explain later. I just see it as a way to improve our odds of finding Stardust. If he ends up being all sinister and super evil in the end all I have to do is sneeze on him.”

“Never mind, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, I need to talk to your Sister about something.”

“She’s with some stallion with a volume control issue and a freaky lookin’ bat thing in the auditorium.”

“Thank you, I’ll let you know if we find him. In the meantime keep an ear out for any information that might come up on the streets around here.”

He chuckled a bit, “I’ll keep more than an ear to the streets. Wait…I don’t mean like that but I’ll dig extra deep if anything comes up.”

“You do that Sugar Buck, I’ll catch you on the flip side,” I said as I headed to the other room where I’d met The Queen before. As I walked in the door my eyes fell on The Queen sitting on the edge of the large stage looking down and talking with none other than Ex-Sergeant Doorstop and Wind Thrasher.

“I agree that the ponies from Appleton need a place to stay with what happened Doorstop, but Freedom can’t handle that many ponies, and it’s too far for them to go to Frosty Summit. Honey, I don’t see what we can do ta help them,” The Queen was saying as I walked in the door.

Doorstop’s booming voice filled the room as he said, “They can’t just be left to fend for themselves in The Wasteland alone Queen, there has to be something we can do. What about that abandoned Stable outside of town?”

Wind Thrasher spoke next, “I heard that the NLR wanted to take it over after the Triggerponies left it, but never heard back from my friend about it if they ever did.”

“That could work for a time, but that stable wasn’t designed for ponies from what I heard from Lonely Hearts and Shadow Star. We also don’t know if the Triggerponies will go back to if or not, their leader Skinny is still alive last I heard and he ain’t one ta just let others move in on his turf,” The Queen said, “But it’s better than having three hundred ponies movin’-in ta Freedom all at once. With that many ponies from a town like Appleton. I might not be able ta hold the streets anymore if they decided to overthrow The Queens either.”

“It’s a start for now at least, if you want I can go talk with their leader and see what he thinks of the idea,” Doorstop said.

It was then that The Queen looked up and saw me standing in the doorway. She got to her hooves and walked over to me, she didn’t look happy to see me. When she reached me, she brought a hoof up and struck me in the face, knocking me down and making my head ring. I looked up at her and said, “What the fuck was that for?”

“That was for being such a fuckin’ moron! Do you have any idea what you did!?” she yelled, “Because of you, one of the main trading outposts for New Pegasus and Freedom is gone and now I gotta deal with the mess. Hundreds of ponies tryin’ ta find a place to live now that their town’s gone.”

I didn’t have time for this shit and I didn’t have the patience either. I got back to my hooves and pulled out Dream Walker and pointed it right at The Queen, “Don’t you think I know what I did Queen? Do you think that I just felt like using a FUCKING SPACE LASER on Appleton just for shits and giggles? I was on the verge of death and I had no idea what I to do, so yeah, I picked up the first gun I could not knowing what it really was and fired. If I could go back and stop myself from pulling that trigger I would, but I can’t. You can be pissed at me all you want for what happened, but understand this Queen, I don’t give a shit what your problems are right now. I don’t care that you have to help ponies find a new place to live, because that’s nothing compared to what I have to deal with after what happened.”

Other members of The Queen’s came running into the room with guns drawn, but The Queen put up a hoof making them stay back. Her eyes never left mine as she said, “I don’t know what’s come over you Shadow, but you’re a breath away from bein’ shot. What makes you think you can come into my home and point a gun at me, a gun I gave you by the way?”

I pulled back on the hammer of my gun and kept my eyes locked on hers, the red aura from my magic glowing at the edge of my vison, “I’ve done a lot to help Freedom, or have you forgotten? I’m the reason you don’t have to worry about The Bramble anymore, I routed power to Freedom from Halo One so that you could help the ponies here, and I got Doorstop to come here so he could tell you what he knew about The Enclave so you could help your ponies Queen. You ask what makes me think I can come in here and point a gun at you? I can because by now you should’ve realized that I’ve done EVERYTHING, to help this town and the ponies in it and I would NEVER do anything to endanger ponies if I can help it. I do this because you attacked me without getting my side of the story, I thought by now that I earned that much at least.”

I heard some of the ponies behind me moving aside then a white talon came up and pushed my gun down right as Aura said, “Shadow there’s no need to do that.”

I took another moment to keep looking into The Queens eyes, then I nodded and looked over toward Aura, “I’m not gonna let her just attack me like she did, and when did you get back?”

Aura looked tired. She sighed and said, “Just a moment ago,” then she looked at The Queen, “Queen, Shadow has a point, you don’t know the whole story. If you want to blame her for the destruction of Appleton then that’s your problem, but you shouldn’t go around hitting ponies like that, especially one who has done a lot for you.”

To my amazement The Queen started to laugh, “hahaha, well damn, you’ve changed haven’t ya Courier?” She looked at her gang, “Put those away everythin’s fine.”

She shrugged, “Because no matter what the reason is, you still deserved it, but you’re right too, I shouldn’t have just hit you like I did. I’m still pissed about what happened, but I don’t know the whole story. How about this, why don’t we all head up to my room and you can tell me everything that happened.”

She turned and headed toward the back door of the auditorium heading for the stairs that lead up to her room, as she did Wind Thrasher came over to me as I followed The Queen, “Shadow I didn’t know you were up, are you feeling okay?”

“Still sore, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around what happened,” I said as we started up the stairs, Wingnut, Aura, and Doorstop following behind.

Aura spoke up as we reached the top level, “A lot’s happened while you’ve been out Shadow. We’ll explain after we hear your side of things, I mean Wind Thrasher told us a lot, but she can’t explain everything that happened.”

I sighed as we reached The Queen’s room, once we were all inside and the door was shut behind us The Queen looked back at me, “I think it’s time y’all start talkin’. What happed that lead you to get your hooves on a weapon like you did?”

So, I sat down took a deep breath and started to tell my tale. I started from when we reached Crimson Canyon, leaving out a little of what happened with Gigi, but explaining about Silver acting strange. I told them about her attacking me then throwing me onto the bed and trapping me in the memory orb. I told them about how Silver was really Envy and his power to be able to change into anypony he wanted, and about what he was doing when I woke up from the orb. I talked about what I was forced to do and why I had to leave. I told them about the trip to Halo One, the activation of Solar Flare, the talk with Mr. Tops, and The Sins meeting with some council pony who told them to leave the power plant. I went into details about finding Silver’s body and about the rage I felt when I did.

I noticed Aura look away as I explained how badly Silver had been hurt when she died. She didn’t look back at me until after I told them about the meeting with Greed and his deal he made with me. I held back tears as I told them about where Wind Thrasher and I buried Silver and the message she left for me. Wingnut’s eyes were wet and so were The Queen’s as I told them her words for me. After a moment passed I continued my story, telling them about the attack on Appleton by the Romans, how we got into the city, the way Pride killed the zebras, and about what happened with Morning Star telling me she could help me fight Pride when he found me in town. I explained the fight and transformation. I explained how odd Pride acted when I took on the look of Morning Star, I told them about the fight and how he seemed to know what Morning Star was and him calling her Aquila. I finished with the power he used to attack Aquila then how he hurt me, and what lead to me using Solar Flare’s Range Finder on Pride. I also told them how I tried to find a way to stop it before it fired.

When I finished the room was quiet, everypony seeming to be lost in their own thoughts as they contemplated what I told them. Wingnut was the first to finally say something, “I didn’t realize you had to go through all that, I figured you did what you did because of Morning…I mean Aquila. From what you told us, it seems like she was trying to help you, not hurt the ponies around you. That’s weird because when she came out before we got to Frosty Summit, she was nothing like that. Is she gone now?”

I shook my head, “I can’t feel her like I did before, but while I was out I had a really trippy dream that didn’t really feel like a dream. She was in it and we talked for a bit. I’m still not sure who or what she is, but I think she’s only mean because something bad happened to her a long time ago. She’s an angry specter of some kind, but I don’t think she’s evil, or at least she didn’t used to be.”

“I’m more worried about what’ll happen now that you killed Pride and citizens of Stratus. The Enclave isn’t gonna let this go,” Aura said as she moved closer and sat next to me.

“If anything, I don’t think The Enclave cares about Pride’s death. From what I know about him, they wanted him dead, but couldn’t kill him themselves. Even most of his team wanted him dead, so I don’t think they’ll be a problem at least for a while. His sister could be a problem later on, but we won’t know until then,” I said.

The Queen was looking up at her ceiling as she spoke, “I still can’t condone what you did Shadow, but I understand where your head was at. What I don’t get is where ya got the Range Finder, without it, you couldn’t have fired that weapon.”

Aura spoke up, “She got it from a Zebra colt that lives here in Freedom, he said it was the most powerful gun in Equestria I think. I thought he was just telling a story to get caps for it, but now I’m not so sure.”

The Queen nodded then looked at me, “If it’s the Zebra colt I’m thinking of his family lives not far from here, his father used to be a Roman until a few years ago when he decided to leave them. His wife was killed by the Caesar and he barely made it out with his son. His father does odd jobs all the time, so it’s possible that he found it when he was near the Power Plant, though I can’t be sure, I’ll have to talk with him when I get a chance.”

“It doesn’t matter to me, all I know is that I have to make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong pony’s hooves,” I said, remembering Mr. Tops’ warning

“I don’t care what the rest of you think, Pride had to die even if it did cost the lives of so many ponies. He was a monster and if Shadow was being honest, he was too powerful as it was,” Doorstop said, his voice quiet for the first time I’d ever heard, “I know a lot about The Sins from my time in The Enclave and Pride’s always been a pony that we all feared. The team he put together made the leaders in Stratus and Nimbus nervous.”

I looked over at him and asked, “Since you know so much about The Sins Doorstop, what can you tell me about Envy?”

A dark look came to his eyes as he said, “Envy is a mystery to even me, he could’ve easily overthrown Pride for power. We don’t know anything about his past apart from that he was an orphan that Pride took in a year or so after he became Pride. Pride always called him Envy and he’s always been loyal to him. I think Pride was his only friend to be honest. He was the only pony Envy trusted and he would do anything for him. His power is strange too, I’ve only ever read about powers like that in books, but Envy’s gift doesn’t match up right with what I’ve read. Whoever he is, he’s the only Sin whose weakness we don’t know.”

“So, we should do whatever we can to stay as far away from Envy as possible?” I asked.

“Even if we tried, he can look like anyone, how do you plan on doing that?” Aura asked.

“I’m not sure yet, but for now I’ll just have to hope that he won’t come after me, at least for a while. If we’re lucky, Greed will find something we can use. Now if you’re all done asking me what happened, how about you fill me in on what’s been going on since I left and while I was out.”

They all looked at each other before Aura said, “When Appleton went down with Pride, The Red Talon’s went in to help as many ponies as they could. The Red Talon’s have always been friendly with Appleton and because of them, a lot of ponies lived. A few hours later both of the ponies on the radio reported what happened, but you’re name never came up. They still don’t know who destroyed the town or they aren’t saying who did it, I can’t be sure. I wish that was all I had to say but it’s not.”

She looked over at Doorstop, “I think you should tell her about Frosty Summit.”

I didn’t like the sound of that or the look Doorstop gave me, “You see, around the same time you were fighting Pride in Appleton, a single pony came into Frosty Summit and attacked the place. At the time we didn’t know who it was, but after your story, I’m guessing Envy was the one. He was able to kill another one of Violet’s Alicorns. He also killed a few of the ponies inside the lodge as well. He broke into the cells and broke out Wrath and the other pegasus who we were still holding. They all got away in the end, almost taking yours truly with them.”

I looked down for a moment then said, “I should’ve known something like that would happen.”

“There ain’t nothing ya could’ve done Shadow,” The Queen said clearing her throat as she continued, “As for Halo One, we heard that the Steel Rangers moved in on the base and are now having a standoff with the NLR.”

“You can say that again,” Aura said, “But that’s not all Shadow, yesterday while you were still out an encrypted message was picked up by The Red Talons. I wouldn’t bring it up, but the signal came from your Stable.”

“No, like I said it’s encrypted. Apollo told me about it and said it’s being transmitted on one of the broadcast channels. He thinks it might be for you, since you’re Pip-Buck can decrypt things like that.”

I looked down at the Mark II and switched it to the broadcast channels. A new signal had shown up on it. I clicked on it and my Pip-Buck brought up a message…

Emergency Signal from Stable 28 Detected. Signal has a level 10 Encryption. File will need to be downloaded to The Pip-Buck Mark II for Decryption, this may take some time to do…would you like to download and Decrypt File?

I clicked yes, and saw that the screen changed to a loading screen. From the look of it. It was gonna take a while for it to finish, so I looked back at my friends, “This’ll take a while, so how about we talk about something else for now.”

“I need to know everything you can tell me about Trotston. I plan on heading there next to see what else I can find out about the Mark II and Wind Thrasher has been wanting to go there too so she can talk with the ponies from her old Stable,” I replied.

Wind Thrasher seemed to shrink away as I said this, “I wouldn’t say I want to, more like I think it’s only right I try and say I’m sorry for what happened. We don’t have to go right away.”

Aura gave the batpony a hard look, “If you want to get their forgiveness then you have to go. You can’t keep putting it off and you know that.”

“I know, but I’m scared of what they’ll do when they see me,” she retorted.

I smiled at my friend, “Wind Thrasher don’t worry, we won’t let anything happen to you. You were there for me when I needed you and I’ll do the same for you. Trust me, I know what it’s like to be scared of finding out the truth. Don’t let your fear control you.”

She smiled a little, “You’re right Shadow, I shouldn’t keep putting it off. I’ll go to Trotston with you.”

The Queen smiled, “Well now that we have that settled, let me see what I can tell ya about Trotston. The town was nothin’ twenty years ago, just a small hill with a Stable just inside a cave. It was abandoned for years when the survivors from Stable 9 found it. At first, they just used the old stable as a place to recover after whatever happened to them. But over the years they wandered out of it and started building amazing homes and other things. Soon they became a place that saw a lot of trade. Soon with all the things they were making and doing, they started having problems with ponies like The Steel Rangers and Raiders. They built a wall like no other around the town and set it up with security systems that I think even Mr. Tops would be jealous of. Nowadays they still trade with the rest of the settlements around New Pegasus, but nopony can get into the town unless they’re let in. Ponies have died tryin’ ta break-in even Enclave, but the town’s ponies there ain’t bad, they just don’t like outsiders. The few I’ve met who’ve come through Freedom were rather nice. I can’t tell you what to expect when you arrive or if they’ll letcha in, but I do know the pony who runs the place is called Rusty Shackles.”

“He was the former head of security in my stable, and the other pony who had a Mark II. Out of all the ponies I could run into from my Stable, he’s the one I don’t want to see.”

“He was really close to mom, I think they were seeing each other before everything went to shit. He was always coming over to see her a little after dad died. He was the one who took Mom’s Pip-Buck before they escaped. He won’t be happy to see me,” she replied.

“Well he’s the pony that decides who’s let into Trotston, so sadly you’ll have to hope he’s in a good mood when ya get there,” The Queen added.

I laughed a little, “Because we’re in The Wasteland and that’s how The Wasteland works. Like I said, don’t worry too much, we won’t let anything bad happen to you Wind Thrasher. If they won’t let us in or they want to hurt you, then we’ll leave. The information about the Mark II isn’t as important as you are.”

“Yeah, you’re with US now batty, and we always help out our friends,” Aura said with a smile.

“Just look at Shadow, she keeps messing up and we’re still sticking with her,” Wingnut threw in.

He just stuck his tongue out at me saying, “It’s what you get for being stupid.”

“Oh shut up you two, we have other things to deal with right now,” Aura said, she waited for a moment glaring at both of us before continuing, “Good, okay so it sounds like we’re heading to Trotston next. Where do you plan on going after that? That’s if we haven’t heard back from The Red Talons.”

“We’ll head north from there to Spitfire’s Flight Academy, I think there’s something there that I need to know to help me remember things,” I said.

Everypony apart from Wind Thrasher looked at me like I said something extremely stupid. It was the Queen who said, “Are you nuts, do you know what The Annihilators will do to ya if ya even try and get close to their home?”

“I know the stories yes, but I was told that if I request to talk to their leader and tell them a passphrase, they will let me in or help me.”

“I am, and even if I’m not, I still have to try. I need to know more about who I am before I can keep looking for mom. If they know something then I have to go. Who knows I might even be from there.”

Wingnut smiled, “Well, Shadow has spoken and I still see her as the leader, I say we do it.”

“I’ll go too, it’s been nice being around ponies lately and Shadows my first real friend, I don’t want to see her get hurt so I’ll help,” Wind Thrasher added.

“Well then, since that’s all done, we should start heading out,” I said getting to my hooves, then I stopped, “Queen, are things okay between us?”

She smiled, “For now they are Shadow, but please do you’re best to keep that weapon safe and don’t go leaving you’re friends behind again. Do that for me and we’ll be as cool as cucumbers.”

“I’ll do that,” I said, then I looked toward Doorstop, “You gonna be okay Sarge?”

He boomed a laugh, “I’ll be fine kid, you go do what you need to. I’m going to head back to Frosty Summit and see what I can do to help Violet. I’ll also keep my ears open for information on the Cadet. You be safe.”

“I will,” I said then with that we started to head out of The Queen’s home.

“I’m always here for you Aura, even after what happened you should know that.”

“I just wanted to say that I’m glad we found you again. When I first read that letter I was hurt, you were the first pony I put so much trust into ever since I lost Trip Wire. I thought that you left at first because of what you learned about Trip Wire and me. Most ponies would’ve run away after learning something like that,” she said, her eyes locked on the road.

“Aura, I don’t see you any differently than I did before. I know what it’s like to be different. So what if you like mares even though you’re a griffon, love is love, you can’t change that. I might think it’s weird, but from what I know about her, Trip Wire was a good pony and you cared for her a lot.”

“I did, there was something about her that I couldn’t ever get out of my head. I tried for a long time to tell myself that I was going crazy or it was just me trying to rebel more against mom,” she said.

A rare smile came to Aura’s face, “She’d been coming by Crimson Canyon for a while and joining us on jobs when it happened. I was working some solo job a couple years back and I needed a pony like her to help me on it. I won’t bore you with the details, but the two of us made a trip to Los Alicorn and we got trapped in some old building outside the city. It was cold and we ended up having to share a blanket she found just to stay warm. We ended up talking for a long time and it just happened. To this day I’m not sure who made the first move, but she ended up on top of me and things just happened. From that day on we were inseparable…at least until she died.”

“Do you think it was just her you liked or have you felt like this for mares for a while?” I asked.

She cocked an eyebrow at me, “I couldn’t say for sure, but I’ve always found a mares shape to be quite pleasing to the eye. I’m not sure if I’d ever end up with another mare one day or a griffon, but I’m sure when I make up my mind, she’ll have to be as amazing as Trip Wire was.”

“I wish I knew what that felt like, I didn’t have the time to get to know Silver the way you knew Trip Wire.”

“That may be so, but it doesn’t mean you didn’t love her. Silver saw something in you and she did what she did because she knew you’re a mare worth loving,” she blushed a little as she continued, “She was a lucky mare to be able to share her love with an amazing pony like you.”

She flapped her wings and took to the air saying, “I think Wingnut’s calling me, we’ll talk later.”

Wind Thrasher chuckled a little as she came walking up next to me, “She likes you.”

“She does not, she’s just messing with my head. You don’t know Aura like I do, she likes to play games, it cheers her up,” I said, trying not to blush.

“You keep telling yourself that Shadow, but I think you’re lying to yourself. You might not see it but I do, I’d even go as far to say that you’ve thought about her like that too,” she said poking me with a wing.

She looked like she was going to say something else when Wingnut yelled, “Hey what’s that?”

I followed his gaze, we were outside of town heading towards Trotston and in the distance, I could see what looked like a tall stallion standing on a short hill a little ways away. I moved closer to Wingnut and Aura trying to get a closer look at the pony, but his features were hard to make out, all I could see was black combat armor and a little bit of blue.

A moment later a voice echoed toward us from the pony. It was deep and stern, a lot like Night Stalker sounded when he was being serious, “I’m looking for the mare that goes by the name Shadow Star.”

“Yeah that’s me, who are you.” I yelled using my magic to pull out Dream Walker incase this pony was dangerous.

“I bare a message from ponies you wronged. They say ‘This is what you get for sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong,” he said, and with a quick motion, he reached behind him and pulled out a long rifle. There was a loud crack, and something slammed into me.

I fell to the ground and felt pain in my chest, looking down I saw blood flowing onto my barding from a gunshot wound, “He…shot me.”

“Stop looking for the unicorn, or next time you die. This is you’re only warning,” he said and before Aura or anypony else could do anything, the pony vanished…just like The Stranger whenever he left…

I drank down a healing potion that was offered to me by Aura, “What was that all about?”

I just shook my head, “I have no idea, but I’m sure I’m gonna find out.”

[FOOTNOTE: LEVEL UP!]

NEW PERK ADDED!

Mind Over Murder: It appears that you’ve lost your mind a bit, we all have at some point. Luckily you managed to find yours again and rejoin society with a better understanding of yourself. You gain +15% magic damage while casting spells and have 5% less chance of losing control.

Fallout Equestria: Falling Shadows

by Drako Moon

Chapter 25: Incomplete