“Here I thought a pony from a stable would not know anything about the stars.”
So, the walk to The Kingdom was long, but only because I had to explain our stupid situation yet again to somepony I don’t know. I also had the pleasure of explaining who I am and what I do in the Marejave Wasteland, which brought up some more annoying subjects such as my great triumphs and failures, “So you want to go to Saint’s Parish to save your friend? I’ll be completely honest with you, I’m surprised. Saint’s Parish doesn’t have that much that going on, it’s cut off from the rest of the area because of the giant wall.”
“Yeah I do, but what’s this about a giant wall?” I asked.
He looked a little annoyed at my question. Maybe he’s tired of explaining things like I am, “A long time ago, both cities were settled together after the war. However, after some time passed, they both started to disagree on some things. Whinnieapolis wanted to take in zebra refugees and let them live there freely while Saint’s Parish wanted them to stay out of their city. Being explained like that it sounds racist, but in reality, it was actually better for Saint’s Parish in the long run, shortly after said dispute, Whinnieapolis fell into more ruin than it already was after the war. The refugees I guess held grudges against ponies and decided to kill the city leaders and take over. The city’s fine now, if you can call a crime riddled place like that fine. Some raiders and other forms of gangs have settled there and turned the entire city into a dangerous place, not to mention the Enclave presence throughout the city trying to kill said raiders and gangs along with anypony that gets in their way or crosses their path.”
Wow, two cities divided by a wall, “What’s Saint’s Parish like?”
He shrugged, “It’s alright, not as much Enclave presence as Whinnieapolis because they don’t really need it. The citizens don’t like The Enclave, but they don’t do anything against them because they know there’s no point in fighting them, although the radio ponies speak out against them quite a bit.”
“I haven’t heard any of the radio ponies speak out against The Enclave directly besides when they talk about things I’ve done. Dj Pon-3 and Mr. New Pegasus seem pretty unbiased when it comes to factions like The Enclave,” I remarked.
“Dj Pon-3 and Mr. New Pegasus? I haven’t heard those names in a while,” he said.
I gave him a puzzled look, “Then how would you hear anything on the radio? I thought at least Dj Pon-3 reached everywhere in The Equestrian Wasteland.”
He smiled, “Nope. The only radio ponies you’ll hear out here are Poker Chip, Bitmap, and Kitty. Poker Chip used to be a radio host in New Pegasus. They all host the Up and At Em’ show every day, you should give them a listen sometime, you might enjoy them.”
“Nah, I’m not much of an early riser. With a name like Up and At Em’ I’m pretty sure it’s a morning show?” I asked.
It was then that he gave me that laugh; the ‘ha you’re stupid laugh’ and said, “It’s not a morning show. If it was no one in The Mill City Wasteland would learn any common sense about the area that they live in. It plays at different times throughout the day. There’s these other guys that do a similar show on a different channel, but they just basically spurt out bullshit and copy stories and segments from Up and At Em’.”
Because of his jackassed reaction I gave him the best ‘fuck you’ grin I could muster, “Oh, thanks for the info; I’ll be sure to check them out sometime. I just hope they’re not like Dj Pon-3 and blow the things I do out of proportion like I’m one of the best things to ever happen to The Wasteland, except for that one time that he emphasizes on.”
Aura rolled her eyes, “He’s not THAT bad, just overenthusiastic.”
Wingnut snickered, “If you ask me he’s gotta be on something good to be that enthusiastic on the radio.”
Laser just shrugged, “For me, DJ-Pon3 is very flavorful with his words, keeps me interested. I’d like to meet him someday, I enjoy him. I suppose everyone is entitled with their opinion. That’s mine.”
Cutter gave all of us a strange look, “You guys are kinda harsh sometimes aren’t you?”
I smiled, “You could say that, Dj told the whole Wasteland that I was the one who destroyed Appleton. Asshole didn’t even say that I did it by accident until later. Why he couldn’t get all the facts first before reporting, I don’t know.”
He smirked, “Not to worry, Poker Chip, Bitmap, and Kitty get their facts straight before reporting on anything that happens around here. It keeps Up and At Em’ more credible than Mill City News Talk. So I wouldn’t worry about getting any bad recognition around here unless there are ponies who actually listen to M.C.N.T.”
While we were talking I didn’t even notice that we were almost to what I assumed was The Kingdom. The weirdest part about the whole thing is that he said they have an Emperor, don’t kingdoms usually have Kings, and Queens for that matter? From the outside, the settlement itself looked huge. It was like they moved into a destroyed town and brought it to life again, at least most of it, “This place looks like it used to be a town of some sort.”
“Yeah, back before the war this was the city of Reinchester. It was one of the smaller, yet highly populated cities in the area,” he explained.
“If this place has an Emperor, then why is it called The Kingdom?” I continued to satisfy my curiosity.
He sighed like he didn’t want to explain another thing for the thousandth time like when he explained The Twin Cities, “It’s called The Kingdom because that’s what it was a long time ago, since then, other settlements have decided to be a part of the Emperors rule so now it’s more of a small Empire. We mainly still call it The Kingdom because that’s what the name’s always been. Why change the name of a place after everypony in the area knows it as The Kingdom, plus they could get it confused with The Crystal Empire if we just called it The Empire.”
“Yeah, that makes sense I guess,” I said thinking that it also just made the citizens and rulers all sound lazy.
I was gonna ask where we were gonna stay when Wingnut decided to blurt out, “So what does everypony do for fun out here?”
“For fun? You know we live in a post-apocalyptic Wasteland, right?” Cutter replied.
Wingnut shrugged, “Yeah, and? Doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.”
Cutter sighed, “Not really anything much kid, the only fun we slednecks have is blowin’ shit up in the middle of nowhere, unless you count the dances the Empress likes to throw now and then.”
“Sledneck?” Wind Thrasher asked.
He smiled, “It derives from the term redneck but since this particular area get really freakin’ cold in the winter we call ourselves slednecks up here.”
Okay maybe coming here wasn’t such a good idea, the ponies here are weirder than the ponies in New Pegasus. Next thing we know he’s gonna start talking about other weird things like jumping into frozen lakes for fun, “That’s um… interesting, I guess,” I said with a forced smile.
We approached the entrance to the large settlement to meet two guard ponies. They were both stallion’s in ordinary combat armor, but when they spoke, I almost couldn’t believe my ears at their thick northern accent, “Well hey there, hi there, ho there! Lookin’ for passage into The Kingdom?”
Aura quickly jumped forward at them, “What did you just call me!?”
The one on the left quickly put his hooves up in defense, “Whoa there, I didn’t mean ta hurt your feelings. All I was doin’ was sayin’ hi.”
That must be what I look like when I make an ass out of myself, “Aura, we’re in a new place with strange new things. Maybe you should calm down the hostility a bit.”
She turned and looked at me like she wanted to punch me square in the face for calling her out on her quickness into violence, “In case you’ve forgotten, I’m a bit irritable sometimes around idiots.”
The other guard pony on the left spoke up, “Oh ya, he’s an idiot alright. He’s always sayin’ stupid greetings like that; told him he’d offend somepony someday dontcha know.”
What the fuck did he just say? “Don’t I know what?” I asked.
Cutter interrupted, “It’s just a figure of speech, he wasn’t really asking you a question.”
Aura scoffed, “That’s a dumb expression if you ask me.”
The one on the right had an awkward look as he asked, “So… uh, ya still lookin’ ta get into The Kingdom err what? Cause we can letcha in if your with Cutter here.”
“Yes, we’d like to enter,” I replied.
The one on the left opened the metal gate and said, “Well okie dokie then, enjoy your visit to The Kingdom. Oh, and before I forget, if ya head anywhere north of here when ya leave, watch out for timber wolves.”
Well that’s new weird creature number one added to the tour guide book I’m sure Wind Thrasher will author when we go back home, “Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out for any on the way to the Twin Cities.”
As soon as I walked in passed the gate I saw a bustling town of ponies, some griffons, and zebras. A lot of the buildings actually looked like they’d been refurbished some so it didn’t look so dumpy, unlike Freedom where everything still looked run-down and broken. I saw shops and stands selling merchandise, restaurants serving ponies, and foals playing with each other in the street. This must’ve been what it was like two hundred years ago, no, more than that. This must’ve been what it was like before conflict of any kind arose between Equestria and any other nations. It was wonderful, a sight to behold for the rest of my life. Sure, New Pegasus had its lights and attractions, but this place was real; a place that wasn’t just a big gambling attraction. It was home for real hard working down-home Equestrians to live in peace and prosperity.
I couldn’t believe The Wasteland would let a place like this exist without making it somewhat terrible. I didn’t even see a single drunk, junkie, or starving foal living on the streets anywhere, “This place is amazing.”
“Yeah, you could say that. Unlike most settlements in The Wasteland, ponies here actually get along pretty well. There aren’t any gangs, factions, or otherwise, just citizens,” Cutter explained.
“How the hell did your emperor manage that?” Aura asked.
He smiled and let out a small chuckle, “Let’s just say it’s because of his strange yet kind nature.”
“So, he’s a freak?” Wingnut blurted out.
“No, he’s not a… yes he’s kind of a freak. He’s into strange things like buttering toast before you toast it, and leaving bits by every door in his house,” Cutter replied.
“Bits by every door?” I asked.
“It’s a superstition that ponies around here have had for years, something about good luck or something, I dunno,” he explained.
Doorstop finally broke his silence and asked, “Lotta stripes here, thought you said stripes are the reason Whinnieapolis is so bad, right?”
Laser light glared at Doorstop with his racial slur “Goodness Doorstop you wanna show a little restraint with your words?”
Doorstop glared back and smirked “Nope, I’m a military pony, you should know that better than anyone else here.”
Laser got upon her hind hoofs and pointed a forehoof back at Doorstop opening her mouth as if to say something, but shuts it instead, going back down on all fours, “You know what, I’m not even gonna argue that point Doorstop.”
Doorstop’s smirk went wider “It’s because you know I’m right.”
Cutter kinda stammered a bit as he replied, “It’s a bit different here, also please refrain from using derogatory terms around here. The zebras here aren’t like most of the ones in the city, all they want is to live peacefully alongside us.”
Laser rose a hoof and smacked the back of Doorstop’s head “I had a very good zebra friend back when I was adventuring the Equestrian Wasteland Doorstop. She was a very loyal friend I learned a good deal of zebra history and traditions from her. If she was still alive I’m sure she would knock you out good too.”
Doorstop grumbled, “Fine, I’ll watch my tongue, but it don’t mean I’m gonna be nice to any of them.”
“Well you better be to at least one, The Emperor’s wife,” Cutter responded.
Aura snickered, “Way to make an ass out of yourself Sarge.”
I ignored my friends as I asked Cutter, “So the Ponies who run The Kingdom are actually zebras?”
He shook his head, “No, The Empress is a zebra, The Emperor is an earth pony.”
“That’s just all kinds of wrong!” Doorstop said, “Next thing you know griffons are gonna start gettin’ with ponies. What the hell is this world comin’ to?”
Aura moved behind the old Drill Sergeant and punched the back of his head, “I’d watch what you say about who loves who asshole. Let’s just say I have a bad habit of making mares out of stallions who don’t keep their mouths shut.”
“You’re lucky I’m here to help ya, or I’d rip you to tiny little feathery pieces griffon!” Doorstop shouted.
“I’d like to see you TRY!” Aura retorted.
“For Luna’s sake, stop it both of you,” I yelled glaring at both of them.
Aura just rolled her eyes and walked away, “Fine, but make sure he shuts up before we get kicked out of here.”
“He will, won’t you Sarge?”
“Fine,” he said.
I looked back to Cutter, “So as you were saying, The Empress is a Zebra?”
“Yeah, she’s one of the reasons this place works as well as it does. She’s one of the kindest mares you’ll ever meet, but she also won’t be held back from poking her nose into your business. She has a curiosity like nothin’ else. She loves finding answers to puzzles and problems. She also hates fighting, she decreed years ago that if two ponies have a problem they are to bring it to her or The Emperor so they can help resolve it,” Cutter said leading us down the road and toward a large house, that lay in the middle of the city, okay large was an understatement, this place was huge. It was built out of an old-world city after all, I wonder how The Twin Cities look.
“What is that place?” Wind Thrasher asked, her eyes getting big at the sight of the gigantic house.
“That’s the Emperor’s home, it used to belong to some kind of noble back in the day. That’s where The Kingdom first started,” he said as we moved toward the large gate that blocked the courtyard from the rest of the city.
“That’s a big place for just two ponies…well pony and zebra I guess, to live,” Aura said.
Cutter laughed, “Kinda, but they aren’t the only two that live there. Most of the guard ponies do too, along with some of the court and guests of The Kingdom.”
“Pfft, Trip Wire and I had to stay outside the city with a family when we came here,” Aura said.
“Depending on who you were working with that isn’t too surprising, the trader’s guild here doesn’t like to keep its headquarters in the mansion,” Cutter said.
We walked through the gates and into the courtyard, as we did a mare’s voice floated to us from across the yard, it was undoubtedly a zebra’s voice, “Cutter, is that you?”
Looking over I saw a zebra standing next to a broken Statue of Celestia and Luna, I couldn’t pull my eyes away from her. Unlike most Zebra’s I’ve met, she didn’t have her mane in a mohawk, she let it grow long to hang down past her shoulders with one small braid on the left side of her head. She wasn’t tall, but she made up for that by how she composed herself. Her almond shaped turquoise eyes were breathtaking. She was wearing dress that flowed like the waves of an ocean and matched her eyes.
Cutter stopped and bowed, “Empress, I didn’t know you’d be out in the courtyard at this time of day.”
She smiled and laughed a little, “Cutter, you know I love getting away from the mansion when I can. Any time is a good time to stroll out here. Who are your friends?”
I stepped forward, “My name is Shadow Star, I’m a courier for Equestrian Express out of Cartwheel near New Pegasus, these are my friends Aura, Wingnut, Wind Thrasher, Laser light, and the big guy is Doorstop,” I said introducing them in turn.
“I bet he has no trouble keeping doors from closing, what an interesting name. It is nice to meet you Shadow Star, I am Empress Sheena. Welcome to The Kingdom and my home,” she said with a wonderful smile.
“They were attacked by Envy just outside of town. They were on their way to Saint’s Parish to find a friend. Their sky carriage was damaged severely,” Cutter said.
“Envy? We have not seen him in a long time, why was a member of The Sins attacking you Shadow Star?” Empress Sheena asked looking back at me.
“She killed two of The Sins, Gluttony and their leader Pride. They’ve been hunting her down for that and trying to get the Pip-Buck she has,” Aura said.
“I see. Fortunately, you will not have to worry about The Sins while you are staying with us in The Kingdom. The Enclave leaves us alone for the most part out here, and they would not dare let one of The Sins enter our lands,” The Empress responded.
“I’m not so sure that’s the case right now Empress. Envy seemed to be hell-bent on killing her. He said something about The Enclave not caring about our borders,” Cutter said sounding concerned.
“That is not good news Cutter, I will have to tell the guard patrol to keep an eye out for them. Would you be willing to speak with the Patrol Captains about this threat for me?” she asked.
He bowed again, “Consider it done.”
“Thank you, I will be sure to show our new guests where they can stay for now, that is if they were planning on staying,” Sheena said looking back at my friends and myself.
“We hadn’t thought that far yet. We all took a beating in that crash, and with the sky carriage destroyed, I’m not sure how we can get to Saint’s Parish now,” I said.
“I may be able to help you with that, even though we don’t get along with The Enclave, our town does trade with Saint’s Parish. You can ride along with one of the caravans going there tomorrow, it is a little far from here, but not too far. As for your sky carriage,” Sheena said turning toward Cutter who was getting ready to head back out, “Cutter could you also send somepony to retrieve it so we can have it repaired please?”
“Will do, I’ll send that new pegasus with some of his friends to get it.”
“That’d be nice of you and all, but we don’t have a whole lot of caps. I’m not sure if we can afford to have it fixed,” Aura said.
“Do not worry about the cost, consider it a gift,” Sheena said with a soft smile, “My Husband and myself have plenty of caps, it is no problem.”
“Sure, and what’s the catch?” Aura asked.
She blinked, “I am not sure what you mean. I did say it is a gift did I not?”
“There is always a catch when it comes to so called gifts,” Aura snarked.
She started to laugh, “Maybe where you come from, but here we do not do that kind of thing. It seems the vices of New Pegasus have made the surrounding settlements greedy.”
“Then why would you just up and help us like that?” Aura retorted.
“Ponies here in The Northland help one another and do not expect anything from it because they just want to help out in any way they can. I also like to help those in need and you were also attacked outside of my borders. The skies around The Kingdom should always be safe for traveling ponies or griffons like yourselves, and it was not,” she said.
“Okay then, but if you turn around and say we owe you one, then too bad.”
“It will not be a problem, now how about you come inside for a while and relax. I would love to talk with all of you more and I’m sure my husband will as well once he gets back.”
“You really wanna take time out of your day to talk to some random ponies from out west?” Wingnut asked.
“I love meeting new travelers to The Kingdom when I have the time. Right now, all I am doing is nothing but waiting for my husband to return. We do not get many travelers from that way, I would love to hear what has been going on in New Pegasus.”
“I don’t see a problem with that, it’d be nice to relax a little,” I said.
“Me too,” Wind Thrasher said happily.
The Empress lead us into her large home. When we first walked in I saw that the entryway was beautiful, there was a grand staircase that lead up to a landing that split to each side leading to different parts of the second floor. On the main level I saw long hallways and doors. At the top of the landing there were two large double doors, making me wonder what could be behind something so big. Sheena lead us to the left and into a cozy room that had plenty of places for all of us to sit or lay down.
“Damn, this is a nice place, almost as nice as the room we stayed in at The Applewood,” Aura said looking around.
“Thank you, this is where I like to get away from my normal day to day duties. Now that we are all alone, tell me the real reason you have come all the way out here,” Sheena said sitting down.
“We said before that we’re looking for a friend of ours,” I said.
“I believe you, but there is more to it than just that. Saint’s Parish is not a place you just go to find a lost friend. If your friend was a pony that just ran off, he would have come here to The Kingdom not Saint’s Parish. If he was captured by The Enclave, they would have taken him to Nimbus. Who is this friend you are trying to find and why would he be in a city controlled by The Enclave?”
Aura let out a long sigh, “I don’t see the harm in telling her Shadow, she’s been very nice to us and like I said before you can trust The Kingdom.”
“I agree Shadow, if we want to get him back we’ll need help,” Wind Thrasher said.
“I wouldn’t agree with them on that one. We can’t just go around tellin’ everyone we meet about The Stable,” Doorstop interrupted.
Laser smacked Doorstop in the back of his head again “Then I guess it’s a good thing you’re not in charge. This is her friend she’s looking for, and by the sounds of it, a very good friend if she’s going to lengths like this.”
Doorstop glared back at Laser “Are you kidding me Laser Light? Goddesses be damned, stop smacking me.”
I looked into her eyes and sighed, “My friend Stardust is a runaway from a stable around the Saint’s Parish area. Stable 97 which was taken over by The Enclave a couple decades ago. He’s been traveling with me since a little bit after I left my own stable. A couple weeks ago The Sins captured him, they took him back to his old stable where they messed with his mind and now he’s become the new Pride. Doorstop used to live in that stable before he was made a dashite, he’s with us to help get him back.”
“Dammit Squirt, you can’t just go around telling everyone you meet about what I used to do or about the stable!” Doorstop yelled,
“Shut up Sarge, I’m not talking about this right now,” I yelled back glaring at him until he finally looked away.
Sheena was looking at us with a small grin, “You do not have to worry Doorstop, The Kingdom already knows about some of the things that go on in your old home.”
He looked like she just slapped him, “How in the fuck do you know what Stable 97 does?”
“The Kingdom is home to a lot of Dashites. For example, Cutter used to be an intelligence officer when he was in Nimbus. When he ran away he took some of the information he knew about the Enclave presence down here. Luckily, when they caught up to him the pony who branded him didn’t know what he stole.”
“Well damn, here I thought that whole project was a secret!” he said a little too loudly.
“Nothing stays secret in The Wasteland, no matter what, sooner or later the truth finds its way to the surface,” she said with another laugh, “As for what you are doing here Shadow, do you know what to expect when you go to Stable 97?”
“No, I don’t, but that’s why we have Doorstop,” I replied.
“That’s right, I’m here to make sure we get The Cadet back safe and sound.”
“And what about the rest of the ponies who call Stable 97 home? If it is as bad as I have heard, what will you do with them?” Sheena asked.
Doorstop glared at her, “Stable 97 isn’t a bad place to live, it’s what they are training the ponies there for that’s bad!”
“Nevertheless, once you invade the stable, the ponies who live there will have their lives changed forever,” she said solemnly.
“What do you expect us to do Huh!?” Doorstop asked loudly.
“Calm down, I think I understand what she’s talking about,” I said, interrupting his rude outbursts, “The ponies in there, at least the ones like Stardust, don’t know what the world is like outside. They think most of Equestria is dead and The Enclave are the only ponies who can help bring it back. Us going in there is gonna throw them for a loop, we have no idea how they’ll react or what they’ll do.”
“Damn, you have a point. I lived in that damned place for so long I forget sometimes how different life out here is. Most of the trainees in there are around Shadow’s age though. I don’t think they’ll be a problem, it’s the ponies on the upper levels you’re gonna have to worry about,” Doorstop said.
I looked at him a little confused, “Stardust is a few years older than me, why are most of the ponies he trained with so much younger?”
“I find the idea of the entire stable to be a little strange,” Wind Thrasher said.
The Drill Sergeant let out a long sigh, “The first few recruits we had were a test. Stardust and Hailstorm were two of those ponies. We started out with twenty foals and five showed promise after the first few years, so we started bringing in more foals to expand the program.”
“What happened to the other fifteen ponies that started out there at the same time as Stardust?” I asked, not sure if I wanted to know.
“They didn’t make it passed their first evaluation,” he replied.
Wingnut looked a little sick as he asked, “What do you mean they didn’t make it?”
“The first evaluation is done after they get their cutie marks. They have to fight for their lives, that’s the only rule. Stardust, Hailstrom, and three others were more proficient in the test than the others and almost killed them. Since they failed they were cast out of the program. The Enclave wasn’t happy with losing so many Pegasi after putting so much hard work into them, so they used their memory manipulation machines to reprogram their brains so that when they became of age they’d eventually become soldiers. Since they were so young some of them couldn’t handle the strain of the machine and had their brains fried and either became vegetables or ended up dead.”
I could see that Doorstop was remembering those days and he didn’t like those memories. I didn’t like to do this to him, but I had to know more. Well, I kinda liked doing this to him because he’s an asshole, but it’s still mean, “How did they find so many foals to place into the program? Stardust told me their parents lived in the upper levels and they would only be able to see them once they passed their training.”
“Fuck kid, right to the gut,” he said looking over at me, “They were all taken away from their parents when they were born. The only ponies in that stable apart from the recruits are the trainers like myself, a few enclave scientists that live in the upper levels and a few guards. After all the foals were born, they told the parents that they didn’t survive the birth. The excuse was because of some common medicine pregnant mares would take for prenatal care, The Enclave claimed that there was an ingredient that could cause a fatal defect that would affect the child before or after birth.”
The Empress gasped, “You mean to say that they forcefully took away foals from their parents?”
He nodded, “Well not all of them, some of the younger ones were foals we got from orphanages, but Stardust’s family came from a long line of strong soldiers. The Enclave figured that a foal from that family would be a perfect pony to join in on the program. They knew his parents wouldn’t just let them take Stardust, so on the day he was born, they took him and told his parents that he didn’t survive the birth like some of the others.”
I was shaking with anger when I heard that, “You mean they took Stardust away from his family when he was born, put him into a training program in a stable and told him his parents were dead?”
“Him and a couple others yeah, they were trying to recreate an old group from the war. They figured if they made the perfect solider, they could retake the rest of The Enclave and The Wasteland.”
“What do you mean take the rest of The Enclave? I thought The Enclave was The Enclave,” Wingnut asked.
Aura shook her head and spoke before Doorstop could, “The Enclave as a whole is really just a mix of different cities fighting for power. Right now, the city that mostly runs The Enclave is Neighvarro. It’s mostly a military city that has most of the firepower of the entire Enclave. You also have Thunderhead a cloud city over Hoofington. They aren’t as militarily advanced as Neighvarro, but they have more unicorns and smarter Pegasi. They have more ponies with Power armor and strong fighters, and they know everything about building and repairing old tech, along with the ability to grow a lot of things in their cloud city. Those two cities are always fighting with one another over this or that, but Neighvarro keeps them on a short leash with threats of destruction. Then you have Stratus and Nimbus, Nimbus was the city where The Enclave technically started. That’s the city that Night Stalker and his team first settled down when the war ended, but later they moved their power to Stratus. Both cities mostly keep to themselves and only share things between the two cities and refuse to work with Neighvarro as much as they can. Both cities together don’t have enough tech or power to take on Neighvarro right now, but they can defend themselves against them if needed, that’s why they can get away with the things that they do. Like having cities on the ground, they also hold The Crystal Empire which is rumored to have powerful unicorns that can come to defend either city if they are called on. If they had a couple hundred ponies like Stardust, they could take down Neighvarro in a few days and with them gone they’d completely rule The Enclave. If they had a thousand ponies like Stardust, they could take over everything.”
Laser looked a little distraught and silent the whole time we were talking about the cloud cities, as if she was thinking about a lot of things. Before I knew it she got up and left with no one but me noticing. I hope she’s alright, it’s pretty safe at The Kingdom, but that doesn’t stop me from worrying about her.
Doorstop nodded, “She’s right, for years they’ve wanted to take back the power they’ve always called theirs by right.”
“If Nimbus was the city to start The Enclave then why would Stratus think they have the right to rule it and not Nimbus?” I asked.
“Because, the pony who first ruled over the entire military branch of The Enclave and later all of it as the head council pony, Night Stalker, was from Stratus. They think that gives them the right to rule and Nimbus agrees. That’s why the two cities work together so much, though Stratus ponies don’t much care for ponies from Nimbus or the settlements around it. They call them oddballs,” Doorstop said.
“Why’s that?” Wind Thrasher asked.
Sheena laughed lightly, “Because ponies from this area like being able to live on the surface if they want to, it is the only city where citizens are allowed to go below the clouds to live among other ponies on the ground. Stratus is much like the rest of The Enclave, they are scared of the surface.”
“So, from what I’m gathering, Stratus and Nimbus want to make the perfect solider. That’s why they started the program in Stable 97,” I said.
“Yeah it is,” Doorstop said.
“How many so called perfect soldiers have they created then?” I asked, trying to put some of the pieces together.
Doorstop laughed for a moment, “That are still alive? Two, but Stardust is the only one that’s a Stable 97 resident. Stable 97 was an advanced program, the first pony they created they didn’t want to wait for a foal to grow up with training like we did in the stable. They tried using magic and science instead, creating a pony that was faster, smarter, and stronger than any other pony before.”
“Let me guess, that didn’t work out so well did it?” I asked.
“It did work, the pony they made was almost a perfect soldier, he only had one flaw. He was the perfect pony to send into battle to take on his enemies and no pony stood a chance against him, but he burned through his energy quickly and had to take long rest breaks in between fights. They were trying to find a way to fix that when he ended up killing the entire research staff. He was later called a failed project, but The Enclave doesn’t like to just throw away a pony they could still use even if it wasn’t how they thought.”
From what they were saying about him, I had an Idea I knew this pony, “Let me guess, he was branded and made a Sin.”
Doorstop nodded, “Yep, he became Sloth the fifth Member of The Sins. Pride himself decided that he’d be a good fit.”
I shook my head, “I have a feeling Envy was made in the same way.”
“Ha Envy? Nopony knows where Envy came from, he just showed up as a colt one day with Pride. The story was that he found the colt when he was almost dead in the Badlands. He’s always been able to do what he does, it’s also why most ponies don’t know his weakness, that’s until we saw what Cutter did,” Doorstop said smugly, “I’ll have to tell Violet about that when I get back.”
“I wish we had the time to worry about Envy or any of The Sins, but from what I am hearing, we need to find a way to get into the stable and to lure Stardust into it,” Sheena said.
“Yeah, that’s the part I’m still stuck on, I know that he has to know we’re here because Envy found us, but I don’t know how we can get him into the stable and if it’ll even fix him,” I said.
Doorstop turned to me, “If we can get Stardust into the memory pods on the third level then we should be able to fix what they did.”
“Wait, what are memory pods?” I asked.
“I don’t understand it all, I’m just a Drill Sergeant. All I know is that there are two pods in the re-education center on that level. It’s where they take ponies like Stardust who’ve disobeyed orders one too many times. I also know it takes another pony who goes into the other pod to run the program to rewrite memories,” he said with a frown.
“That still doesn’t help us get him into the pod,” I said under my breath.
“You best not be sassin’ me Fruit Cup!” damn, he heard me.
“I would say the best way is to set a trap for him,” Sheena said with a grin, “If you can find a way to lure him into it and disarm him and any of the sins he is with, all you would have to do is find a way to get him into the stable and put him into the pod.”
“Getting into the stable won’t be a problem, I still have a couple ponies in there that trust me, they should be able to help us get to the re-education center. Getting out might be harder, because as soon as we’re there The Enclave will come to kill us,” Doorstop said.
“If you have a way to get us in, then how would the rest of The Enclave know we’re in there?” Aura asked.
“Because they know whenever that place is opened up, they’ll send soldiers to go in there as soon as we get in,” he replied.
“Do you have a way to get into contact with any of the ponies from Stable 97 Doorstop?” Sheena asked.
“I do,” he said with a nod.
“Then you should go make contact with them and see what you can do,” she said looking back at the rest of us, “As for the rest of you, I will aid you in any way I can. I’ll speak to my husband about all of this when he gets home. Also, as I was saying before about the ponies that still live there. If you are able to do what is needed, I would like you to try and get the ponies that are living there to come to The Kingdom.”
“Why in the hell would you want them to join you?” Doorstop asked.
“Because they are pegasi that know how to fight, but also they have been lied to about the world and The Enclave. I would like to help them find a better life and if they want, help them find their families again. That is what we do in The Kingdom, we help ponies in need,” Sheena said with a smile.
Doorstop returned a smile, “I like you, even if you are a zebra, kinda hot too, and I mean that with all the respect in the world. I’ll be sure to see about getting the rest of the young ones get out of there safely. It’ll also deal a big blow against those Enclave bastards.”
“Yeah, now that I like,” I said in agreement.
“Then it is settled, there is a room on the second level that you may all find to your liking. I will speak with some of my guards about how we can set up a trap for Stardust. Feel free to roam around the mansion, or if you want you can walk around The Kingdom,” she said happily.
“I should head out and see about getting a message to the ponies I still know in there. I’ll be back by morning though, if not I’ll give you my tag Shorty, so you can find me,” Doorstop said walking over and adding his tag to the Mark II.
He left the room and when he was gone I looked at all my friends, “I think I’m just gonna rest, my body still hurts from the crash.”
“I’d like to go look around The Kingdom,” Wingnut said.
“That does sound nice,” Wind Thrasher agreed.
“I’d like to rest some too, but if Wingnut wants to go look around I’ll join him,” Aura sort of moaned.
Wind Thrasher whispered something to Wingnut and he nodded, “I’ll be fine Aura, you can stay here if you want to. I don’t think I’ll have to worry about anything while I’m here and I’ll have Wind Thrasher with me.”
“Are you sure boss?” Aura asked.
“Yeah, just go rest and enjoy the rest of the day while you can, I’m sure tomorrow is gonna suck,” Wingnut said, “We’ll see you all later.”
Wind Thrasher and Wingnut both headed out the door leaving me alone with Aura and Sheena. For some reason I felt a little uncomfortable, the zebra was looking at the two of us with an interested expression, “So tell me, how did a griffon from The Red Talons end up all the way out here with such an odd company of ponies?”
“I’m not a Red Talon, at least not anymore, but how did you know I used to be?” Aura asked.
Sheena giggled a little, “You look just like Gale, I figured you were her daughter.”
“Wait who’s Gale?” I asked.
“My Aunt, the one who Gina killed and no I’m Gigi’s youngest daughter, how do you know my family?”
Sheena’s face fell, “I did not know about Gale’s death, it has been many years since I have been in New Pegasus. I grew up out there not far from Crimson Canyon, I knew your family when your mother and her sisters were around your age.”
“You must’ve belonged to that zebra tribe that used to live in the old town just outside of our home.” Aura said.
“I did, I was of the Eschatik tribe, we were desert nomads in our homeland. My own tribe settled there a couple of generations ago, but when The Romans came and started to get zebras to join them, most of my people left with them. The ones who didn’t were killed as traitors to zebra kind. I was just a young mare at the time and was forced to join them, though back then they were not called the Romans yet. The zebra who runs them now calling himself Caesar was still a colt,” Sheena said with a sorrowful look.
“How did you end up here then?” I asked.
“My husband found me one day, during that time he was a caravan pony and traded with the zebra tribes. I wanted to get away from the new tribe I was forced to join, so when he left, I hid in his wagon,” she said with a smile, “He was quite surprised when he discovered me.”
I smiled, “So you met The Emperor by stowing away in his cart?”
“I did, he was quite shocked to find a zebra filly with his goods he had for sale. At first, he wasn’t too happy at what I had done, but once I told him what happened to my tribe and family he decided to let me stay with him. Over time I started to learn the business and helped him run his caravan. A few years passed and we fell in love, not long after that we found this mansion in the heart of this destroyed town. My husband, decided that we should start helping the ponies around here find a safe place to live and escape The Enclave. That is how The Kingdom was born, though back then we did not have the title of King and Queen or Emperor and Empress. A few more years went by and ponies just started calling this place The Kingdom. The city grew and more ponies, zebras, and banished griffons started calling this place home. They all started looking up to my husband and I for guidance. Later we started to have other settlements around here join us, we became an Empire, at least a small one,” Sheena explained.
“The Emperor must be brilliant and quite kind to get so many to follow him,” I said.
She laughed, “Yes he is very kind, brilliant maybe. Trust me, when you meet him you will see that he is just a child in a stallion’s body, but that is what I love about him.”
“How did ponies or whatever react to following a zebra/pony couple?” Aura asked.
“Aura, that’s rude!” I scoffed.
Sheena laughed again, “It is alright Shadow, we did not have it easy when we first started out, no pony wanted to follow a zebra and they thought that a stallion who married a zebra had to be a crazy pony. In the end we showed them all how well our two races can work together.”
“I think it’s kind of sweet to see a Zebra with a Pony,” I said.
Sheena looked over at Aura, “Do you have a problem with it Aura?”
“No not really, I was just wondering,” she replied.
I could see why she wouldn’t care herself, she used to be in love with a pony, “It’s nice I think, I don’t see why anyone should care who you love.”
“I agree with you Shadow,” Sheena said, “Now you both look tried I’ll show you to your room.”
“Don’t you have servants to do that for you?” Aura asked.
“I do, but I like doing things for myself when I can,” she said getting up from her seat and heading out of the room. The two of us followed as she led us up the grand staircase to one of the long halls that were lined with doors on each side, “The former owner of this mansion used to have a lot of ponies over for one reason or another, we have plenty of space for anyone who needs it. Anyhow, I will be letting you all stay in the guest suite, it will have enough food for all of you. Shadow you said you are still in pain from that crash, correct?”
“I am, but it’s nothing a good night’s sleep can’t cure,” I responded.
“That is good to hear. If you need to see a doctor for anything, the west wing of the mansion has been converted into a large clinic. We have ten doctors on staff that can do almost anything you need to help cure you,” she said.
“Interesting, you have a full staff of medical ponies, most large settlements like this only have two or three,” Aura said.
“Not all ponies, three of them are zebras,” she said as we reached a large set of double doors, “This will be where you are staying, I will leave you two alone for now, I need to see where my husband is and check on a few things. If you need anything just ask any of the ponies you see wandering the halls.”
“We’ll be fine, but thank you Empress,” I said.
She laughed again, “Please, call me Sheena, I much prefer it.”
“Thanks again Sheena,” I said, she gave us both another smile and turned to leave back down the hall.
“So, what should we do now? Do you really think sleeping is the best plan?” Aura asked as she opened one of the doors and walked in.
The room was large, with two separate rooms on each side. There was a large couch in the middle of the room with a table, a small kitchen on one side and a large window that overlooked the city, “Damn, this is awesome.”
“I’ll say, I’m surprised she’s letting us stay in such a nice place,” Aura said.
“She’s a nice mare, maybe she just wants us to trust her.”
“Like I said before, from all I know, you can always trust anyone from The Kingdom. It doesn’t matter, back to what I was saying before, what do you plan to do?” she asked.
“Honestly I’d like a bath,” I replied.
“Yeah me too, let’s see what they have,” she said walking toward one of the rooms. It turned out to be a master bedroom with a huge bathtub in the connected bathroom. We could fit all my friends in the thing and still have room.
I walked over to it and turned on the water, I was happy to feel hot water flow from the nozzle and my Pip-Buck didn’t click even once as it filled the large bath, “Do you wanna go first?”
She shook her head, “Nah, it’s a big tub why wait for one another to finish up when we can both relax.”
“It’s fine with me, but last time I suggested we take a bath together you got really embarrassed,” I said.
“Yeah, but I didn’t know you that well back then and I have trust issues. I have a better mindset now, but if you really want to wait until I’m done be my guest. I’m gonna be in here for a while,” she said, taking her saddle bags off and tossing them on the corner then placing her energy spear next to the tub where she could grab it quickly if needed.
“Nah, I don’t mind at all, I trust you. As I said before, we’re both girls,” I said, pulling off my barding and setting it down next to Aura’s bags along with my own.
“Whatever you say, but if I catch you starring at my ass, I’ll rip your eyes out,” she said with an evil grin. She turned then started to step into the bath.
Her words made me blush and my eyes fell, of course, on her rear. DAMMIT! I looked away before she caught me and I waited a moment for her to finish getting into the steaming bathtub. As she did, I pulled off my mane ties and let my braid down for the first time in days. It took a few pulls with my magic to get it to fully come undone…damn I was dirty. Once that was done I started to step toward the bath, then my hoof stepped on my mane and I tripped and fell face first on the floor.
Aura chuckled a little, “Have a nice trip?”
“Ow…yeah, I just tripped on my mane is all,” I said getting back up and stepping into the bath.
“When’s the last time you cut your mane? I know you like having it done up in that braid and all, but it’s really long when it’s down.”
I let my body relax for a moment before I answered, “I haven’t really cut it since I first got to Stable 28 as a filly. Vervain used to trim it every now and then to keep it from getting too long, but I never let her cut it short like she wanted to.”
“Why not, with what you do now, it makes sense having a short mane style.”
I sighed and let my body sink into the water more, “I’m not really sure I want it short.”
“Fair enough, but I have to ask, what’s with you always keeping it in that loose braid all the time? You seriously freaked the fuck out when Wingnut and Stardust stole your mane ties.”
“When I was younger, mom tried to get me to cut my mane short like her own. I was kind of a little shit myself back then, I didn’t let her do it. I ran away every time she tried to force me to. Finally, mom came up with the braid after some colts teased me about my long messy mane. She told me I looked cuter with it like that then just letting it get all over the place. When she left it was kind of a reminder of her, something I could look at every day and remember her. I would’ve kept trimming it, but I just haven’t had the time.”
Aura let her body slide deeper into the water as well until her head was the only thing sticking out, “Now It’s gotten so long you can’t help but trip over it unless it’s up. Soon even your braid will be too long and your mane will be getting in the way when you get into a fight. Maybe you should think about cutting it, maybe even think about a different mane style. You’re a pretty mare Shadow, but that braid always makes me think your hiding behind it. Also, I kinda hate how it looks, oh and don’t do pigtail braids because those always make the back of a mare’s head look like a pony’s ass.”
Where does that bitch think she gets off? I can do whatever I want with my mane, “Hey! I can have ass head if I want to dammit! Don’t judge me!”
She started to laugh so hard that her back lost its grip on the bottom of the tub and she slipped in and her ass shot straight in my face. She flailed and eventually got her head back above water. She coughed and blew hard out of her nostrils to get water out, “(Cough,cough)Fuckin’ hell!”
I did my best not to laugh as I said, “After having one in my face, I no longer want an ass head.”
“If you’re waiting for an apology it’s not coming,” she said with a scowl.
“It’s fine, I don’t mind,” then I realized that my mouth made a jumble of words that sounded dirty again, “It was an accident, shit happens,” she was giving me a weird look, I needed to figure out a distraction fast, this was getting WAY too awkward, “You wanna listen to the radio? Cutter said the radio ponies here are pretty good.”
“Uh, yeah sure, whatever,” she replied, her eyes downcast.
I went to the radio on my Pip-Buck and selected the channel that said Up and At ‘Em. There was some music playing that I hadn’t heard before, but it sounded pretty good, but there was no singing, just sounds and beats. I could tell that Aura was enjoying it because she was bobbing her head up and down with her eyes closed, “What is this?” I asked.
She opened her eyes and looked at me like I was an idiot, “It’s dubstep, this is one of the best artists in that genre, Dj Pon-3. Not the Dj from the radio in Manehattan, this was a mare, her real name was Vinyl Scratch. She used to be the music headliner at all the big parties before and sometimes during the war.”
“Oh that’s cool, I like the music. It has a nice calm beat to it that I can just chill to, y’know,” I said as the song started to come to an end.
There was a soft static for about five seconds then a pony’s voice came on the radio, “That was the late, great, Vinyl Scratch. Up next is Up and At ‘Em, see ya there,” the radio went silent again for about a minute and then the pony’s voice returned, “Hello Twin Cities! This is Up and At ‘Em, I’m Poker Chip.”
“I’m Bitmap.” Another Stallion said.
“And I’m Kitty.” A Feminine voice followed
Poker Chip spoke again, “Today let’s start off with the main issues we talk about every day, there’s also some news from down in The Kingdom,” a sound effect played that sounded like some sort of horn, “I just can’t get enough of that sound effect machine you fixed up Bitmap.”
“Yeah, I’m glad I found this thing in the back room, it’s made this show so much more fun to do. It gets so depressing talking about all the gang violence and Enclave oppression in both cities.”
Kitty commented, “Yeah it sure does get depressing, especially after The Enclave upped their presence at the Saint’s Parish Falls dam. I get the need to protect a source of energy, but with that many soldiers they act like they’re ready for a freakin’ war.”
“Agreed,” Poker Chip said, “Reminds me of the situation at the dam in New Pegasus. The NLR and The Romans are always scuffling over it, then there’s Halo One, don’t even get me started on that place. It’s always going through changes in management at least every other month. A few weeks ago, it was controlled by The NLR, then it was taken by The Enclave. Now it’s just an empty building after The Seven Sins of Equinity made an appearance.”
“Oye, those guys,” Bitmap said mockingly, “They’ve been showing their faces back here again recently. One of them attacked a sky carriage that was on its way to The Kingdom, I think it was Envy.”
“It was,” Kitty interrupted, “That freak makes me sick, especially how he could be anypony or whatever else he can change into.”
I heard Poker Chip sigh, “I have an I.Q. of one hundred and forty and I still can’t figure out how he does that. I’d say with magic but I’m pretty sure he’s a pegasus and I’m pretty sure there aren’t any zebra talismans that can-do things like that. Speaking of zebras, there’s been a spike in gang activity in the north side of Whinnieapolis lately that’s resulted in a few senseless murders. On the bright side, at least it’s distracting The Enclave from what happens here in Saint’s Parish. I hate having to deal with their damn curfew, and condescending attitude towards us citizens.”
“I agree,” Bitmap said, “I know they’ve pretty much always occupied this area since they branched out from their first surface settlement in Whinny City, but recently it’s like their hold on us is getting tighter.”
Kitty interrupted, “I swear one of these days their gonna say something about me being a griffon and how I shouldn’t be allowed in their society, if you can call this society. It’s downright oppression, I dunno why the mayor doesn’t try negotiating with them to make life at least a tiny bit easier.”
Poker Chip sighed, “Not like it’d help any, that guy is such a pushover, I can’t believe he actually became the mayor. Of course, it was probably the oh so Grand Pegasus Enclave that made it so we’d get a pony like him to lead us. If we have a doormat they can push around and manipulate, they can do whatever they want to us without any qualms.”
Bitmap played some more sound effects and said, “I completely agree, if only we had the ability to get somepony else in the office of mayor that’s willing to do something about our pegasus problem, I’m sure the citizens of this city would be a lot happier.”
Poker Chip cleared his throat, “I think with the right leadership, we could break away from the control of The Enclave and possibly even retake Whinnieapolis. It’s just not the Twin Cities when there’s a wall between them. A long time ago the wall was a good idea to keep us safe from the trouble that the streets of Whinnieapolis bring and it’s still a good idea, but I still wish it didn’t have to be here. As both of you know, Saint’s Parish has been facing overpopulation for quite some time with ponies moving here from smaller settlements, and the rising birth rate.”
“It’s not THAT cramped,” Kitty said nonchalantly, “I’ve been to places where ponies, griffons, and whatever else are literally living on top of each other. I think if there were more who were willing to go out of their way to protect others, new citizens wouldn’t move here so much. I’m not saying I don’t want ponies or griffons to live here, I’m just curious as to why they’d move here and not to a place that isn’t under Enclave control.”
“They don’t want to go halfway across the country just to find a safe place to live,” Poker Chip said, “In basic terms it’s because Saint’s Parish is closer than other large settlements they could go to that are safe. No one wants to travel hundreds of miles to go to a safe place just because another place that’s closer is under the hoof of ponies like The Enclave. Put yourself in their place, sure The Enclave sucks, but at least they won’t be killed in their sleep by raiders or eaten by mutated monsters.”
Kitty sighed, “What about The Kingdom, it’s not THAT far away from here and I’ve heard they’ll take just about anyone that wants to get away from The Enclave.”
Bitmap chuckled, “They do and from what I know it’s a nice place to live. The problem is that a lot of the ponies who come here don’t trust zebras and for good reason. The Empress is a zebra who’s married to a pony, a lot of ponies out there are thick headed about that kind of thing.”
“There are too many ponies here that still can’t seem to forget the war,” Poker Chip said, “A war mind you that was two hundred years ago. Aside from the zebra gangs in Whinnieapolis, I don’t see a problem with befriending one. Hell having a zebra rule over us would be better than the damned Enclave.”
“It almost makes me miss New Pegasus…almost,” Bitmap said laughing heartily.
Poker Chip joined in the laughter, “That’s a hard decision right there, go back to New Pegasus that’s ruled by a mysterious pony in a tower and deal with the numerous factions fighting for control, or stay in this Goddesses forsaken place. I’ve heard there’s a mare who’s called The Courier out in New Pegasus. Some say she’s the heroine The Marejave Wasteland needed.”
“I heard about her too, though I’m not sure I’d believe all the stories. Who could really destroy a town like Appleton with a single shot?” Kitty said.
Bitmap played another sound that reminded me of the blast from the B.E.L. of Gators, “A couple of well-placed Balefire Eggs could do that.”
“Yeah, but not with one shot, Appleton was a big place. I just think somepony’s making up crazy stories again,” Poker Chip said, “Remember a few years back when rumors were going around about that stallion the ponies called the Burned Buck? They said he used to be The Caesar’s right hoof zebra who was burned alive for betraying him or something and was starting a resistance. Turned out to be nothing more than an old pony telling tall tales in Cartwheel.”
“Yeah, but DJ Pon3 wasn’t talking about him all the time like he is about The Courier,” Kitty said, “Honestly if she’s as dangerous as they say, I’d like her to come here and give The Enclave a run for their caps.”
“Yeah, because that’s just what we need right now, more fighting in the city,” Bitmap added.
“At the very least maybe she could scare away some of the gangs, that alone would be a big help,” Poker Chip said thoughtfully, “Speaking of which I almost forgot, Reports say that one of the council ponies is heading to the Mill City Tower to meet with some of the snobs who live up there.”
“That’s very unusual, which pony is it?” Bitmap asked sounding surprised.
“From what I heard it’s the new guy Nightshade, I haven’t found out yet why he’s here, but I do know he’s on his way if he isn’t in the damned city already.”
“Maybe that’s why The Sins have been showing up as of late,” Kitty said.
Poker Chip jumped at that, “I don’t think so, all reports say that Nightshade hates The Sins, he wouldn’t have them watching his back. If he was a high council member I’m sure he’d disband them all.”
“Have you ever met him Poker Chip?” Kitty asked.
“Thank Celestia I haven’t, the stories I’ve heard about him give me the chills,” he replied.
“Well I have and trust me you don’t want to; the stories are true. He’s a scary pony, one I wouldn’t wanna mess with,” Kitty said making a shivering sound like she was cold.
“When did you meet him Kitty?” Bitmap asked.
“When I was younger, he used to be one of the Guard Captains here in The Twin Cities.”
“Now that’s a story I’d like to hear!” Poker Chip said.
“There isn’t much to it, as you all know I lost my parents when I was young and had to fend for myself. I was attacked by a gang in a back alley, this is when I was still living on the edge of Whinnieapolis close to Saints Parish. Nightshade came out of nowhere and told them to leave me alone, they outnumbered him twenty to one, but that didn’t seem to bother him one bit. When they tried to attack he killed every last one of them in no time,” Kitty explained.
“Damn now that’d scare anyone, though if he saved your life he can’t be that bad,” Bitmap said.
Kitty laughed, “Yeah sure, he told me after they were dead that I should find a new place to live or I’d end up the same as the rest of the ponies who attacked me. The way he spoke, it was like he had no soul, his words were cold as ice.”
“Now I really don’t think I want to meet a pony that can scare you Kitty, you scare me as it is when you’re pissed off,” Poker Chip said.
Kitty laughed again, this time it sounded amused, “I’m a griffon, we’re all scary.”
“I’m not scared of you Kitty,” Bitmap said as though he was mocking Poker Chip, “I’m smart enough to stay on your good side, so I have no need to worry.”
They all laughed for a few seconds, then Poker Chip said, “Be that as it may, I’d still suggest everypony stay away from Whinnieapolis for a while, there will be at least ten times more patrols around Mill City Tower than normal with Nightshade around. If he’s there I’m sure a couple more of the high council are too.”
“Good point Poker Chip, we should also remind ponies out there to be on the lookout for The Sins as well. It’s bad enough Envy’s been spotted around The Kingdom, but I’ve also gotten reports of that new Pride along with two others. Whatever they want out here you don’t want to be the pony they turn their sights on,” Bitmap said.
“I’ll go out after this and see what I can dig up. If they’re after a pony out here it would only be right we tried to warn them,” Kitty said.
“That’s if he or she even listens to the show,” Poker Chip said.
“I’d still like to try,” Kitty retorted.
Poker Chip chuckled lightly, “Agreed, well that’s all we have for now folks, I’m Poker Chip.”
“I’m Bitmap.”
“And don’t forget Kitty!”
“This has been Up and At ’Em, coming to you from our secret location somewhere in Saint’s Parish, have a good day and stay safe.”
When the outro was finished a new song came on the radio. I turned it down then looked back at Aura who was looking at the far wall as the show ended, “Well that was definitely different from any other show I’ve heard.”
“I’m not sure if they were bullshitting with each other, trying to warn ponies about things, or reporting the news,” Aura said confused.
“Maybe all three?” I said shrugging.
“I can’t say I’m surprised, Poker Chip and Bitmap used to be the hosts for Radio New Pegasus before they moved up here. Trip Wire loved to listen to them and said they were funny, but I never gave them a listen.”
“It’s a nice change from either DJ’s in your face kind of news or Mr. New Pegasus with his calm, and kind of boring reports.”
She laughed, “You’re just happy they didn’t start spreading word about you.”
“There is that, and from the sound of it they don’t buy all the stories about me either, even if they are true. I’d just like a few days to be able to do what I need to without a radio pony talking about me all the time,” I said laying back and letting my body float in the water as I thought.
“I for one would like to be able to just lay in this bath for hours without anyone needing me, or the water getting cold,” Aura said.
“Agreed,” I said as I looked up at the dark ceiling. My thoughts were rolling around what needed to be done and a few other things. A quick flash of Aura falling in the bath came back to me, the sight of her rear filling my thoughts. I blinked and shook my head (Damn it, go away dirty thoughts about my friends!) Why does this keep happening to me? I thought I was past that kind of thing by now. I should be planning on what to do about Stardust.
“One good thing, at least they said Stardust was spotted around here too. It looks like he did follow us like you said he would.”
“Yeah, but from the sound of it he didn’t come alone,” I said, trying to get my mind back on the topic at hoof.
“Did you expect him to come alone? You should know by now that The Sins don’t ever work alone.”
“I know, but I was hoping he’d bring Greed, not Envy. They said two others were spotted too. It’s gonna be damn near impossible to trap him with three other Sins around, especially Envy,” I said thinking about the battle that’s sure to come between me and my best friend.
“Envy won’t be a problem if you can get Cutter to let you use one of those bug whistles,” Aura said.
“Not a bad idea and if the others with him are Lust and Sloth, we might be able to handle them. I don’t know what Lust is weak against, but at least she seems like a normal pegasus, just with a strange spear that extends,” I said. (And a smoking hot body, that is a weapon all on it’s own against the right pony…FUCK YOU DIRTY BRAIN!)
“Sloth is strong and fast, but from what Doorstop said he can’t fight for long before he needs to rest. If we can hold him off and take care of Lust they won’t be a problem, but what if Wrath is with them?”
“I’m not worried about Wrath, he’s too much of a coward to fight me head on. All he’s good at is killing ponies from a distance, and so far, my luck has held out when it comes to him. I also have a feeling Greed did something to him back when we first fought Stardust and my mother.”
“Why do you think that?” she asked while pulling at one of the feathers on her head.
“Because he fired a single shot at us, then he just stopped. He’s not a pony to just take a shot and run away. I think Greed was there too and he did something to get Wrath to stop his attack,” I said as my body slowly floated along the surface of the large bath.
“Well if he did, then we may owe him your life for that.”
“Maybe,” I said, then I felt the top of my head bump against Aura’s chest. I was about to say something when I felt her talons gently grab my shoulders keeping me from drifting any farther.
I opened my eyes and looked up at Aura, she was looking down at me with a strange expression on her face. In that moment my heart started to pound as my red eyes met her icy blue ones. I tried to talk again, but it felt like there was a rock stuck in my throat. I blushed wanting to look away, but I couldn’t, something about the way she looked down at me was captivating. It was like in that moment I could see deep into who Aura was, almost like I was peering deep into the griffon’s soul. Behind that hard exterior was a fragile girl who just wanted to be seen but was too scared to let herself out. She was scared of how a pony like me would react if her true self was revealed. That small look in her eyes told me more about my friend than I ever thought I knew about her. I knew before that Aura was starting to have feelings for me more than just friendship, but I figured it was because she missed Trip Wire so much and something about me reminded her of the mare she lost. I was wrong, she didn’t see her lost love when she looked down at me, she saw ME. That look was the look of someone who wanted to be understood and loved for who she was without judgement. Aura loved me, more than just how I loved Silver. This wasn’t lust or longing, it wasn’t her trying to capture what she used to have with Trip Wire either. I have no idea how I knew any of this, but something deep down told me I was right. How could I have missed it?
How long had she been feeling this way about me? I was so shocked and at the same time a little confused on what I should say or do that I couldn’t even say anything. The worst part was that I was feeling something too, but what was it? I don’t really know how you’re supposed to feel when you like someone like that. I was only just starting to understand what it was like to be with somepony when I started my relationship with Silver, and before her I just lusted after my best friend.
The room was quiet, oh so quiet, I swear my pounding heart could be heard. Aura’s head was moving down toward mine as she started to finally say something, “Shadow…”
Her face was so close to mine, I could feel her breath on my forehead and horn, then something fell to the floor making a loud thump. I jumped and looked away from Aura’s intense gaze and moved to stand again in the bath looking around for what just made that noise, “What was that?”
Aura looked around then pointed toward an empty Sparkle Cola bottle laying on the tile floor, “I think that fell off the shelf.”
I looked up at a long shelf that was at eye level on the other side of the bathroom. There were a few empty bottles of Sparkle Cola, “Yeah, but who knocked it down?”
“I’m…not sure,” Aura admitted.
I looked back at her and saw she was blushing fiercely, “I think I should get out of the tub, I think the heat is going to my head.”
I stepped out of the bath and grabbed a mostly clean looking towel and started to dry my mane as quickly as I could. Once it was no longer dripping I grabbed my mane ties and started to redo my braid. My heart was still pounding in my chest and I couldn’t get the image of Aura’s head coming closer to my own as we looked into each other’s eyes. I was just about finished when I heard Aura say in a quiet voice, “Please don’t go…”
I froze for a moment then finished with the last tie saying quickly, “I need to check up on a few things before the others get back.”
I started to walk out of the bath room my mind whirling with the swell of emotions I felt running through me. Aura spoke again right as I turned the corner, “I’m a fool…”
I knew I should stop, I should turn around and talk to her. I couldn’t run away, trying to hide the feelings I had, but I’m a coward. I can jump into a fight with raiders to save my friends, go into a stable with no idea what to expect, I could take on The Seven Sins of Equinity and The Enclave without a second thought, but I couldn’t face the one thing in the Wasteland that wanted to love me. I kept on walking doing my best to ignore the sounds of soft sobs flowing out from the bathroom.
I left the room and started to walk down the hall, I sniffed and held back the tears I could feel welling up, “Don’t love me Aura, I’m the fool who’ll get you killed in the end. That’s all I’m truly good at, getting the one I love killed. You should leave and find someone who can love you back the way you deserve, all I can offer you is pain…”
***
I have no idea how long I walked around the mansion, I didn’t even really pay any attention to where I was going. I passed by ponies now and then even a couple of zebras as I wandered trying to clear my head. The problem was that it wasn’t helping at all. It didn’t matter how far I walked or where I went, I kept on thinking back to that moment. What was wrong with me? What I saw was nothing, it was just my lonely broken heart trying to reach for something that was impossible. I didn’t have feelings for Aura, she’s a griffon, even if she is attractive and fun, she’s still a griffon. I liked ponies, I wasn’t like Trip Wire, she was the pony who could see past the griffon in front of her and see Aura for what she was. I wasn’t like that, I only cared about what looked good and who’d be fun to do things with. I lived in my own head when it came to a relationship, because how could anyone love a messed up broken mare like me. Plus, how would it work with her having a beak and… Goddesses damned dirty thoughts about my friends.
‘Silver loved the mare you are,’ A yellow pegasus in my head said, (Great now I’m imagining Fluttershy trying to give me advice. The next thing I know Twilight Sparkle is gonna show up and try to teach me about the ‘Magic of Friendship, and how to properly organize my guns.’)
‘She’s right darling, don’t sell yourself short, there is so much to love about you,’ an imaginary version of Rarity said.
Ok fine I’ll play along, “What do you two know anyway?”
‘We know that you should go back and talk to her, you know that you care about her too,’ Fluttershy said.
“Of course I do, she’s my friend, but I can’t be the pony that Trip Wire was for her and she’s a griffon!” I almost yelled, good thing no pony was around, I looked like a nut job right now.
‘Why does it matter what she is? You can’t help who you fall in love with,’ Twilight said next. Yep, I’ve lost it now, miss magic herself was in my head.
“It does matter, It’s not natural.”
‘Nothing in The Wasteland is Shadow, why should this be any different?’ Fluttershy asked.
“I’m not talking to you three about this anymore, go away and leave me alone,” I said shaking my head hard, “I have enough problems with Aquila I don’t need three ministry mares in my head too, there isn’t enough room. I swear at this rate I’m gonna either go completely nuts and start talking to random inanimate objects or develop chronic headaches.”
When I stopped shaking my head like a wet dog trying to dry itself, the mares were gone. I sighed then looked around, trying to figure out where the hell I was. I was at the end of a long hallway standing in front of a large door with stars on it. I tried the door handle and found it wasn’t locked, I opened the door slowly and saw a set of stairs that curved upward. It looked like a tower, but I didn’t remember seeing a tower when I first laid eyes on the Mansion.
“I see you found the Star Tower Shadow,” Sheena said from behind me.
I practically hit the ceiling when she spoke, I looked back at her, “Are you trying to kill me Empress?”
She was laughing from under the hood of a long black cloak, “I was not, but it was very funny to watch you jump. Why are you all the way on this side of the Mansion?”
I sighed again and looked away, “I needed some air so I thought I’d just walk around.”
She moved closer to me, “Do you want to go up and see?”
“Huh? See what?”
“The Star Tower my dear. The pony who built this place used to love mapping the stars, he wanted to know everything about them,” she explained.
“It sounds interesting, but why would you wanna have a place like that in your home? I thought zebras feared the stars.”
She smiled at me, “We do, but we also respect them. Most ponies seem to remember one part but forget the rest. My tribe used to use the stars as guides when we would wander the harsh desert. It is a tradition passed down over the generations. My tribe knew many things about the power the stars held, but we respected that power and never tried to use it for our own gain. Not like the Starkatteri.”
She started to walk up the curving staircase, following I asked, “What are the Starkatteri?”
I heard a long sigh before she spoke, “They are a tribe of zebra that are shunned among my kind. They use dark arts and the powers of the stars for themselves. In our legends, it is said that they were marked by the sun so that all zebra kind would know who they were, that way they could never fool us. But that is a story for another time.”
We reached the top, she opened a stone door and I found myself in a large domed room. There weren’t any walls to speak of, it just looked like the dome reached all the way to the floor. The room was mostly barren apart from a single spire in the center with a large rounded diamond or crystal sitting on top of it, and a desk and chair a few feet away. The room was also very dark, the only light in the room seemed to come from the round object.
“How does a room like this help you see stars?” I asked.
She laughed joyfully, “This room is a planetarium, that crystal in the center can project a view of the stars and planets. Here, I will show you.”
She walked over to the crystal and lightly ran a hoof over its polished surface. The glow within grew brighter then with a flash the walls around us erupted into a magical image of the night sky. The night sky that no pony in The Wasteland could see because of the Enclave’s cloud cover. The sight almost brought tears to my eyes as I saw the millions of small white lights fill the room with its beauty.
“This is…beautiful.”
She smiled and nodded, “I know, it is a perfect replication of the night sky. Sadly, it is the closest I have ever come to seeing the stars for myself. Other zebras I know say that the cloud cover is a good thing because it keeps the influence of the stars away from us all. I disagree, as much harm as I know they can do, there are good stars up there as well and to hide away the beauty they have made for us all to see, is the biggest crime of The Enclave.”
I started to walk around the room looking at different clusters of stars, when I looked at them I started to see that some looked like they were shaped in such a way they almost made a kind of picture, “Some of them look like they’re shaped like animals.”
“You have a good eye Shadow, they do,” she ran her hoof over the Crystal again and a moment later lines appeared around some of the stars, forming ‘connect the dots’ type pictures all over the night sky. She walked closer to me and pointed at one that looked like it was shaped like a griffon, “This is Aurea, the Fighter. She is said to be a mighty warrior from a time before Equestria was even discovered, a time when war was tearing the griffon’s world apart. She was the griffon who brought the griffons together to fight off a mighty attack from dragons.”
I looked back at her, “Is that true?”
She shrugged, “I am not sure, but as most stories or legends go, there has to be some truth to it. Look at this one,” she said pointing to another, “This is Zeta, he was a great scholar of The Zebra, his story says that he was the one to help shape the ways my kind live and worship the night sky. His story is true to a point, in reality, he was a mad zebra that ended up killing himself. But he was the zebra whose ideas were used to build the first great city in The Zebra Lands.”
Something from the notes I read about Stargazer came to me and I had to ask, “Have you ever heard of something called Aquila?”
She looked at me again with a twinkle in her eye, “Here I thought a pony from a stable would not know anything about the stars.”
I blushed a little, “I really don’t, but I read about it in some of my mother’s notes. She used to be in The Enclave and I think she had a love for the stars. What is Aquila?”
She started to look around the night sky that was shining on the walls then moved back to the crystal and ran her hoof over it again. The Stars around us moved suddenly then a section of the stars zoomed in to a few clusters. It looked like an upside-down triangle with a line going up then turning to the side, three stars forming the last line.
“Aquila is one of the oldest Constellations that was recorded. Aquila means Eagle in our tongue. The constellation is made up of ten stars, in our beliefs when the stars of Aquila are shining brightly in the sky, it is an omen for good fortune,” she said with a smile looking at the strange formation of stars.
“More like an omen of doom if you ask me,” I said quietly.
Her ear twitched as I spoke and her turquoise eyes fell on me, “Why do you say that?”
“No reason, trust me it’s a long story that I don’t feel like talking about right now. I have enough on my mind and I don’t need to add that headache to it,” I said looking away from the stars that my personal inner bitch was named after.
“You look troubled Shadow, what is bothering you?”
I sighed, “Can I ask you something?”
“You just did, but yes you may,” she said giggling giving me a wink and a smile.
“Is it possible for a Star to possess somepony?”
She started to laugh, “Shadow, you do have a good sense of humor.”
“I’m not joking, I really want to know.”
She stopped laughing then looked thoughtful, “As far as I know from the old stories, no. The stars can grant power to a pony or zebra if they ask for it, it always ends badly for the one who takes that kind of power. The only stars that would grant power to anypony or zebra are always evil. As for possession, our bodies could not handle the massive power that something like a star has. Why did you ask something like that?”
“No reason, it’s just something that two unicorns I met a few weeks ago said.”
“We have stories about zebras who were so called ‘possessed’ by a star, but in reality, they were taken over by a demon of the stars.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Demons of the Stars are creatures that are created by the stars. We call them star spawn, ponies know them as things like ursa majors or other things like that. Some star spawn will take over a host and use their body to gain more power so they can wreak havoc on the land. Though I am not a story teller, so I only know so much.”
I thought about Aquila and her trying to take over my body. Was it possible that she was one of these star spawns, or was she a creation by The Children to replicate old zebra myths? Whatever she was, Minuette felt it was proper to name her after this constellation.
“Shadow, if I may pry a little more, what else is bothering you? Why were you really walking around my home instead of resting with your friend?” Sheena asked walking over and shutting down the crystal.
My thoughts fell back to Aura and I had to hold back my emotions for a moment before I could answer the zebra, “I’m not really sure. My head is wrapped around in knots right now and I can’t seem to get something out of my head.”
“Follow me,” she said moving to a spot in the domed wall, she pushed on something and a moment later a door opened in the curved wall. I followed her as she led me out onto a balcony that wrapped around the tower, giving me a wonderful view of the city, “This is a good place to relax and think, I come up here every night to look over the city my husband and I lead and protect. It helps me clear my head. Now tell me what has you so bothered, is it your friend Aura?”
My eyes went wide as I asked, “Why would you say that?”
She blushed a little then smiled lifting a part of the black cloak she had on, “I hate admitting this, but I have a bad habit of spying on new ponies who come to stay in my home. Not out of distrust or anything like that mind you, but I have found that it is easier to understand the ponies or whatever I protect when they are alone.”
“You were spying one us? HOW!? Distrust or not that’s plain creepy!”
“This cloak is known as a Zebra Stealth Cloak to ponies, but to us Zebras, it is called a Mist Walker’s Cloak,” as Sheena spoke, a shimmer ran up and down the cloak and her body vanished, a moment later she reappeared on the other side of me, “It makes it so I can go around my home unseen and unheard.”
I remembered the bottle falling the ground, “So it was you who knocked over that bottle?”
She giggled and winked, “Not my best moment, I saw you with Aura and did not want to interrupt anything so I was turning to leave. I bumped the shelf as I turned and was not quick enough to stop the bottle from falling. I did not know you two were so close.”
I felt my cheeks warm up with a blush as I said, “It wasn’t what it looked like.”
She looked at me with that funny look of hers, “From what I saw you two look at each other the same why my husband and I used to look at each other when we were younger.”
I sighed again looking back out over the city, “Aura likes mares, she used to be in a relationship with a pony named Trip Wire for a couple years. She lost her to raiders a few months back.”
“Do you think that Aura is looking to you as a kind of replacement for her lost love? Because when I saw the way she looked at you Shadow Star, she cares for you very deeply.”
“Aura lost her Talon company, then she lost the mare she loved. She’s lonely and wants someone to love her, I know that and I understand. I was alone when I had to run away from my stable. I was lucky enough to make friends, I even found a mare who loved me. In the past few weeks, I’ve lost my friends, my home, and my mare friend. Aura was there through most of it, sticking by my side and helping me when I needed it. She’s a great friend and loyal as hell, I couldn’t ask for someone better than her.”
“Do you love her Shadow?”
I looked back at Sheena wide eyed, “I…I don’t know, I mean she’s a griffon, and we’re so different. I don’t even know what real love feels like, Silver and I didn’t have enough time to build on our relationship. All we did was fool around a couple times before she was taken by The Enclave and later killed.”
Sheena’s eyes got a faraway look, “Love is the most wonderful thing in the world Shadow. There is nothing else like it, your heart starts to race, you cannot seem to find the right thing to say, it is heard to breath. The sight of the one you love will always fill you with joy just by having them walk in the room. But you see my young mare, that is only the beginning. When you are in love with whomever, you cannot see your life without them, you can fight with them and still end up laughing in the end, or making love, depends on the fight. They are the one you always want to see happy and you will do anything to see them smile. It is also the scariest thing you will ever experience.”
Some of what she said was how I felt when I was around Aura, but did I love her, or was I just lonely? I’m not sure, “It doesn’t matter anyway Sheena.”
“Why do you think that?”
I sighed, “I’m a curse to the ones I love. If I was with Aura I’d end up losing her in the end, just like I lost Silver, my mom, Stardust, my father, and my Stable.”
“Shadow you cannot live your life in fear.”
I rounded on her, “What do you know!? You just met me today, you have no idea what it’s like to lose as much as I have, to fear what will happen if you let someone into your life only to have them taken away from you.”
She frowned at me, “I lost my family, my tribe, was forced be a warrior or be made a slave. I had to leave the land I grew up in to escape it. I know more than you think, but I did take a chance and my life is better for it.”
My eyes fell as she said that. I turned and looked back out over the city, “I’m sorry, I forgot about that, but still, I don’t even know how I feel about Aura,”
“I think you are too scared to admit how you feel, not because you are worried about what would happen to her. No, I think you are scared about how others will see you.”
“I don’t care what other ponies say about me, I honestly don’t…”
Sheena interrupted me, “Stop lying to yourself Shadow!”
I rounded on her again, “Fine, you want me to say it? I can’t get Aura out of my head, most of the time I can’t stop thinking about her. I think to myself how lucky Trip Wire was to have someone like Aura love her so much. Enough that she risked being banished from The Red Talons for her. I wonder to myself what it would be like to wake up every morning and see her lying next to me. The way she looked at me earlier, made me realize that I wanted to see that every day of my miserable life. And yes, I’m scared, but not because I care about what others would think about me or what they’d say. I grew up with ponies teasing me and talking behind my back because I was different. No, I’m scared because I have something living inside my head that’s gonna take over my body one day and I don’t want Aura or any of my friends to die because of ME! I’m a ticking time bomb just waiting for the right moment to go off.”
Sheena took a step back then smiled a little, “See, that’s all you needed to do. You needed to admit to yourself that you love her.”
“Didn’t you hear a single thing I said Sheena! I can’t love her, I don’t want her to be around when I finally lose myself to whatever lives inside me!”
“I heard you just fine Shadow, I just chose to ignore that part. I could tell that something was inside you from the moment I met you. It does not matter, because you cannot let fear rule your life,” she said calmly
“It’s not fear, it’s a fucking fact.”
“Fact or not, you cannot let what is inside you control how you live your life.”
“Wait a minute…how could you tell I had something inside me?”
She laughed again, “I am a zebra, we understand the world in a different way than ponies. We have a kind of sixth sense when it comes to things that have to do with the heavens and the stars. I still don’t think it matters, because you are a strong mare that I believe can overcome the creature that lives inside of you. The best way to do that is to let yourself find love, creatures of the stars do not understand those kinds of feelings. You never know, loving Aura may just be the thing that saves you.”
I looked down at my hooves, “I don’t want her to die because of me. I couldn’t live with myself if that happened.”
She moved close and hugged me, then she whispered in my ear, “No matter what may happen in the future, you cannot let it rule your present. The future is always changing, ever flowing. You are the only pony that can decide who you will become. Keep fighting for the mare you want to be and stop letting the fear of the unknown decide what will happen.”
I sniffed then pulled away, “Do you really think I can make something work with Aura, even with everything that could happen and with our differences?”
“Being different is what makes a good relationship work. You will understand when you meet my husband. We are nothing alike, but that is what makes us perfect.”
“Maybe you’re right Sheena, I should talk to Aura about how I feel.”
“I agree, though first let me talk with her. I heard what you said when you left, she may need to talk to someone first. Head back to your room in a couple of hours and talk with her then. Can you do that?”
I nodded, “Yeah, I’m sure I hurt her when I left, but what are you gonna say to her?”
She winked then turned, “That is between Aura and I, just how our own conversation is between you and I.”
I watched as The Empress walked back into the domed room then disappeared. I waited for a few minutes then decided that I should take a walk, maybe look around The Kingdom while I waited for Sheena to talk to Aura. I looked down at the ground far below then concentrated my magic and teleported to the courtyard. When that was done, I headed passed the gates and started to walk back into the city. I needed to think about what Sheena said and get my head on straight so when I talked to Aura I could tell her how I felt without stuttering or doing anything else embarrassing.
***
I walked around for an hour, trying to see what The Kingdom was like, but it was late and most of the shops were closed and as much as I would have loved to go into one of the bars, I knew that showing up drunk later wasn’t the best idea. Now I had no idea where I was at, as I walked I hadn’t been watching where I was going, too stuck in my own thoughts to watch where I was going I guess. I vaguely remembered walking through one of the gates and ignoring the guards as they said something about being careful. I’m the fucking Courier, I can handle myself.
Now I was in an outer part of The Kingdom, it was mostly ruins. The buildings had mostly collapsed with either age or a big fight. The wall that protected the city itself was built to keep this part of the old city out of the new one. The problem was that the ruins I was in is a maze of destroyed buildings and broken up streets and shops. A lot of ponies must’ve died here when the bombs went off, because there were bones around every corner as well as littering the streets.
It was creepy here; a low mist settled close to the ground making it hard to see. It was also peaceful in a way, nopony was around to bother me and it was quiet. When I first walked into it, I figured I wouldn’t need my armor or weapons. I was still in the territory of The Kingdom and it seemed like nopony bothered anypony within The Kingdom’s lands. But the longer I walked down the empty streets, the more I wished I had my stuff with me.
“If I keep heading the same direction I should find my way out of here.”
I picked a direction and started to follow the road toward it. The street I was on ended up being blocked by a fallen building so I had to find my way around it. It took me a half hour, but soon I was heading back in the same direction I was before. A few moments later I could see the edge of the ruins and I sighed with relief, “Finally.”
I headed for the break in the buildings, the far wall of The Kingdom in sight just past the break, “I hope Aura will forgive me for what I said. I hope I was reading her right too. I’d hate to tell her how I felt only to have her tell me she didn’t see me the way I thought she did.”
I stopped then facehoofed, I was talking to myself AGAIN! Every time I’m alone for too long I do this. Oh well, it’s not like anypony was around to say anything about it. I’ll talk to myself if I want to and everypony else can go fuck themselves. I started to walk again, finally passing the last building in the destroyed ruins, then I face planted against an invisible barrier, “Are you KIDDING ME!?”
I looked around for what or who could’ve set up something like this, but nothing showed up on my E.F.S. I was about to yell out for somepony to show themselves when I felt a drop of water fall on my muzzle. Another moment passed then it started to downpour. I sighed and shook my head trying to get the water out of my mane with no avail. Yeah, not only did The Wasteland find a way to trap me inside a ruin, it had to throw a storm in there too. A flash of lightning lit up the darkening skies for a moment followed by the crack of thunder. So not a rain storm, a fucking thunderstorm…fuck you Wasteland.
I turned back toward the ruin, looking for a place I could use to take shelter until one of my friends came looking for me or until the storm passed so I could try and find a way out of this fucking place. This is what I get for wandering off and ignoring the guards. Now I’m gonna be wet, cold, and pissed.
A loud menacing chuckle filled the air before I even took three steps. I felt a chill run up and down my spine at that sound followed by another flash of lightning and the sound of thunder. I checked my E.F.S. again, but still nopony was showing up, “Is somepony out there?”
The wind picked up and the rain fell harder, but nopony responded. Okay maybe I’m just letting my paranoia and fear get to me. I started walking again heading toward a mostly intact shop not far away. There was a loud crack, not from lightning, but from a rifle. The ground in front of me exploded with sharp bits of rock as a large bullet ripped into the cracked pavement. I jumped back and started to look around again.
“Stardust? Is that you?”
A deep voice that I recognized all too well, filled the air around me, “Guess again Courier!”
My ears fell and my eyes went wide, “Wrath…”
“Bingo, welcome to the Absent Ruins.”
He was projecting his voice like he did the last two times I ran into him. He had to be somewhere around here, but with his skills as a sniper, he could stay out of the range of my E.F.S., “Wrath I thought you gave up on killing me.”
“What made you think that Courier?”
“You didn’t do it when I was fighting Stardust and Cloak, you had a great chance then and you didn’t take it…why?”
“I was ordered to leave you to Cloak and Pride, I took a shot at you to keep you from running off that was all.”
“I guess that’s all you’re good at isn’t it, taking cheap shots instead of facing me like a stallion,” I said slowly walking down the road.
I heard his deep insane laugh fill the air around me, “Hahaha, Courier I’m a sniper, cheap shots are what we do. If you don’t like it then you should’ve killed me back at Frosty Summit. Now it’s too late, you fell into my trap and the only way you’ll get out of this is if you either kill me or die.”
“Let me guess, Stardust is with you too isn’t he?”
His laughter grew more insane, “Pride? No, it’s just me. I told you back at Frosty Summit that I was going to kill you myself. I don’t need help from the rest of this failing team of misfits. The old Pride is dead, I thank you for that, he was a monster that needed to be wiped off the face of Equis. Sadly, I can’t forgive you for what you did to Monsoon.”
I sighed then rolled my eyes, “Yeah, I wouldn’t expect you to either. Though I’m surprised you’re still working for The Sins since Pride was killed.”
“I can’t leave The Sins so easily, I’d be hunted down and killed for my so called crimes against my family. Even if I could, I’d still stay on as Wrath just so I could kill you. Now listen to me closely because we’re going to play a game.”
“Fuck your games and your bullshit Wrath, you know how this is gonna end. You can’t kill me, you’re not even close to being strong enough to.”
“Normally yes, but you walked right into my hooves, with no armor, no weapons, and most importantly no friends,” he said laughing louder, “Now we’re going to play my game. If you win, you get to kill another member of The Sins and walk away from here free as a bird, if I win…you die.”
“Fine, and what kind of game did you have in mind? Are we going to play tag?” I said in a mocking voice. Deep down I knew how much shit I was in, Wrath may be a blowhard, but he was dangerous and I had nothing to fight back with.
“Nothing so childish, all you have to do is find me and avoid my shots. If you can do that and manage to take me out, then you win.”
“Doesn’t seem fair if you ask me, I have nothing to keep me safe in your little game.”
“Then I guess you’ll have to hope you can outrun my bullets and outsmart me,” he said chuckling again.
“Did Stardust put you up to this or was it Envy or one of the others? I’m asking because this is a new low, even for you.”
“Pride has nothing to do with this, he has no idea I’m even here. Cloak gave us the orders to find you and let her know as soon as we did. None of us are allowed to kill you.”
“Seems kinda stupid then that you set this all up. I’m sure she’ll be pissed when she finds out.”
“I don’t give two shits what Cloak or this new Pride says. Tonight, you die Courier, and I’ll finally get my revenge for what you did to my brother,” he screamed, his magically enhanced voice echoing off the walls, “This area is surrounded by a magical barrier that you can’t break or get through, a little gift from a friend of mine. The only way you can get out it is if you win.”
I turned around again trying to figure out where he was hiding, “Show yourself, you poor excuse for a Unicorn!”
Another shot rang out and a bullet grazed my cheek. If it was only an inch closer, I’d be a goner, “Hahahaha, be honored I’m giving you a chance to play, normally I’d just blow your head off before you knew what hit you, but I’m a fair pony. Now Courier, prepare yourself. I am Wrath the Furious, Sixth member of the Seven Sins of Equinity…and your executioner…
[FOOTNOTE: LEVEL UP!]
NEW PERK ADDED!
Magnetic Personality: Why does everybody like you? Who Cares, you can now travel with more companions without affecting your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. attributes. You also gain interesting dialogue with other ponies when you have more than two companions in your party, and certain boosts to some of your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. attributes depending on who you’re traveling with.