Fallout Equestria: Prepper

by Kippershy

Prologue

With the view from my guard post, I really couldn’t help but thank myself for finding a spot like this. The mountains in the distance cutting into the skyline, the trees slowly making a comeback as they spread across the land with more confidence, the whole thing adding up to the most serene view I had been able to experience since Unity itself.

Seeing a crowd of normal looking ponies in the distance, I saw my next opportunity. Climbing down from the fence and standing out front, I knew I had to get their attention. Raising my voice, I made my announcement to the travelling caravan, hoping that my judgement was correct. “Snack cakes! Sparkle cola! Toilet roll! Shampoo! Gas masks! Pistols! Rifles! Shotguns! Ammo! If you’re in search of it, we have it! Come to Prepper's Place! Just over here!”

One or two curious faces glanced over with innocent looks while others dropped to a hesitant combat stance. Their weapons pointed toward me, but not yet firing. ‘Nothing new there’ I thought to myself, rolling my eyes. It wasn’t like their weapons would be able to punch through my shield anyway.

Allowing them the time to acclimatise with the fact that yes, I was speaking to them, and no, I wasn’t trying to shoot at them, I simply smiled. Watching and waiting patiently while they spoke amongst themselves from where they stood, an argument had seemingly broke out in the group of twelve. The four ponies who seemed to be the designated guards were undoubtedly warding their group away from me, but even from here, I could see the curious looks from the younger members.

Scuffing at the dirt in front of me, I tried to make myself look as innocent and non threatening as an alicorn like myself could. I knew what these ponies thought of our kind, it never did surprise me, and I guess they couldn’t be blamed. It wouldn’t take more than a moment of effort to disable or outright kill the whole group by myself, even if I didn’t have all of the power I used to feel running through me. Still, that wasn’t my goal; I was here to make a sale, not to kill.

Realising that they might need some more encouragement, I began my advertising again. “Prepper's Place is best viewed face to face! Browse our stocks, pursue your delight, and I promise, our prices won’t cause you a fright!”

The group drew closer, slowly, almost reluctantly, at the behest of the younger members. Seeing the smiles on their trusting faces as they came closer filled my heart with joy. Potential customers! It had been too long since a group this size had wanted to come over without having far less honest intentions, but my gut told me that this group were good ponies, just scared was all.

Lowering my shield and waving to the approaching youngsters, I saw one of the guards rush up front, desperate to reach me before the foals got too close. In an attempt to further convince the guards that I held no hostile intent, I slowly sat on my rump and smiled. Every part of my soul wanted to open up my hooves and reach for a hug, to show affection to my fellow pony, but even without reaching into their minds I could feel their fear. Instead, I continued to smile as the foals stopped just short of me, the guard finally catching up.

“It’s okay, I promise.” I said in as soothing a voice as I could. “I won’t make any moves, I really don’t want to hurt you, I want to sell you things is all.”

“You… want to sell us things? An alicorn wants to be a shopkeep?” The guards voice with filled with suspicion. “I find it hard to believe. Your kind have never been interested in interacting with the likes of us.”

Slowly turning around, I pointed to the painted sign that I had made previously;

Bowing my head, I waved a hoof to welcome them in through the gate to my shop. “Prepper at your service. All I ask is that you come with a smile on your face and don’t even think about robbing me… I’ll know.”

“Uh huh. And you expect me to believe that?” With a nod from me, the guard pony let out a long sigh. “Well, we do need supplies.” With that, the guard pony finally waved on the rest of his crew to come closer.

Two of the guards went in first, followed by the eight ponies they were escorting, then the final two guards on the rear, obviously still suspecting some kind of trick or trap.

“Wait, what are these cans of food doing on the table here? Is… is that a price?” One voice called out with a sense of disbelief. “You weren’t kidding, were you?”

With energetic joy, I let my answer be heard loud and clear. “Nope! Welcome! Again, I’m Prepper, and welcome to my store, Prepper's Place! Now we’ve got that out of the way, the rules here are simple. Number one is that this is the wasteland, I expect to see guns, I know that’s the way the world is; but do be mindful not to actively point them at me, even if you’re wearing a battle saddle.”

For a moment I let that sink in before moving onto my next point. “Two? There are prices listed below every item. Put every item back where you found it if you don’t want it. Yes, I can read, and I know what prices I’ve set, so yes I can put it all back, but I don’t want to have to do so.” Looking at the children, I raised an eyebrow to reaffirm my seriousness. They both nodded in understanding.

“Third, don’t even think of stealing. I will know if you do, or even try. Last and not least is don’t dare attack Fluffy. Fluffy will not hurt you. Fluffy is lovely. Do not hurt fluffy. Anyone who hurts fluffy will never be allowed back here.”

Letting out the last of the breath I was holding onto and taking a nice, deep new one, I beamed a smile at all of the ponies in front of me. “Now, with all of that said, welcome to Prepper’s Place! Browse to your hearts content, guns and ammo are under lock and key so you’ll need to speak to me if you want to see or buy them, but I like to show trust in my customers and their sense of decency. Just please, try not to damage anything.”

Watching as almost all of them began to wander about freely, it was a sight I could never get enough of. I’d seen it for myself that the wasteland was a vast, volatile, dangerous place – to see those faces beginning to relax and enjoy themselves in my little corner of it all brought true joy to my heart.

And just like that, I was brought back into the real world as somepony pulled on my mane. Turning down to see the little face as he shied away, I brushed my mane back into shape with a hoof as I spoke. “Yes? Can I help you? Is there something I can do for you?”

“How did you get your name, miss Prepper? And do you have any sparkle cola? I’m really thirsty.” ~I really hope she has sparkle cherry cola.~

Looking into the colt’s eyes and giving him an even bigger smile, I nodded back to him. “Yes, of course. Do you have any caps on you? I normally charge ten for a sparkle cherry cola, but for you? I’ll only charge five if you also want to hear my story.”

The yelp and squee the young colt let out told me I’d made the sale. “Y-you have sparkle cherry cola?! How did you know? That’s my favourite! I’ll go get daddy to give me the caps right now!”

Watching the young colt run to his parents, I floated two bottles of sparkle cherry cola on over and opened them up for us, taking a small sip from one myself. Trotting over to a seat, I got myself comfortable as the colt sprinted back before jumping up next to me. Wrapping a wing around him gently, I began to tell my tale.