HyperBlitz laid in a relaxed position on the floor. His eyes gleamed with pride as he watched his son fumble around. While JumpingJolt was able to walk, he still had uneasy, wobbly movements. The little colt moved back to the middle of the play mat where Hyper was sitting. Hyper beamed as JumpingJolt began babbling at him. From the corner of the room, SweetHooves watched with joy.
“Yeah, you’re almost a big foal now, aren’t you! Learning to talk and everything!” Hyper responded to his son. Dipping his head, he kissed JumpingJolt’s forehead.
Hyper raised to his hooves, Jolt still watching him intently. Hyper scooped him up in a foreleg and placed him in his crib. While he closed the gate, Jolt gave a few whimpers of protest.
While Hyper still eyed JumpingJolt, he spoke to SweetHooves. “I’ve missed both you and JJ since I’ve been on my mission. I can’t wait until both of you can come to camp. I guess we have to make the camp kid proof, though.”
“Speaking of children,” SweetHooves began and Hyper turned to her. “Flicker was over here a couple weeks ago looking for you.”
“Really?” Hyper wondered with surprise and then disappointment. “I haven’t seen him in months. I wish we weren’t all separated.”
“I told him you were on a mission,” SweetHooves said.
“Did you tell him about my wing?” Hyper questioned cautiously.
SweetHooves shook her head. “I wasn’t sure how to.”
“That’s understandable… Maybe at least tell his mother,” Hyper sighed.
“He came here all by himself. I had to walk him home,” SweetHooves told him, rolling her maroon eyes.
Hyper shook his head and smirked. “He’s a little stinker.”
“He takes after you,” SweetHooves added.
“I mean, that’s kind of obvious.” HyperBlitz trailed off, thinking for a moment. “Maybe I could check in with them before I head back to camp. I do want to pick up a few things in town anyway.”
“Before you go,” SweetHooves addressed. “I wanted to tell you something.” Hyper gave her his full attention. “I’m actually going on a mission of my own.”
“Seriously? What is it?” Hyper asked with interest.
“I’m setting off with a group of ponies who were assigned to help a village. They needed a medic, so I agreed. I thought it might keep me busy while you were away.”
“Really? That’s awesome!” Hyper wrapped his forelegs around the mare and hugged her. “I’m so proud of you!”
After he let go, he paused a moment. “Wait, but what about JumpingJolt?”
“Heartfelt’s going to watch him,” SweetHooves assured.
“Hmm… you sure she’ll know how?” Hyper wondered. He trusted Heartfelt, but knew she had not had a child of her own. Not yet, of course.
“She’s a responsible mare. I trust her with Jolt more than anyone else.”
“Well, you’ve got good instincts, so I should believe your decision,” Hyper told her.
Hyper began walking out of the room. SweetHooves tapped the feathers of his tail with a pink hoof. He twisted his neck around.
“You could stay a little longer? Can’t you? It won’t take that long to get back to camp,” SweetHooves insisted.
Hyper exhaled. “Of course.” Turning the rest of his body around, he leaned in to kiss her. “I have to make up for lost time anyway, don’t I?”
HyperBlitz had picked up a few bags of food before heading back to camp. He knew with extra mouths to feed, it would be needed. Soaring above the desert, he glanced at everything below. On the outskirts of Los Pegasus there was some Hybrid activity. Surely the cities’ security could take care of it.
He flew over where the collapsed Hybrid camp was. He noted that the river had been blocked, and was trickling out of the stones in small streams. The oil pump still stood tall, but didn’t appear to be operational.
When HyperBlitz returned to camp, he was greeted by EchoBeat, who was out gardening. He returned the Earth Pony a short greeting and made his way to the apartments. He entered the one where the newcomers were staying.
“I’ve got some more food for you,” Hyper announced to them.
“Really?” ThunderCharm said from the ground where she was sitting.
“Why are you on the floor?” Hyper questioned.
“I like sitting on the floor…” Thunder murmured.
Hyper smiled a bit and took a seat for himself on the couch. He took off his saddlebags and removed the contents. Several bags were arranged on the coffee table.
“Those are all for us?” Iridescent pondered.
“Yeah. I mean, you don’t have to eat them all at once. But they’re yours. You need it,” Hyper reassured.
He could feel Blackout’s eyes glaring at him from the hallway. Eye, however. One of his eyes was covered by black hair. The dark grey Pegasus stomped across the room and exited the building.
“I’m sorry about him,” Iridescent began.
“Hey, you don’t have to be sorry about the way he acts. That’s his own deal,” Hyper told her.
“It’s just… I feel ashamed that he acts that way. I wish he would be a little more grateful.”
There was a short pause where Hyper wondered for a moment. “Is he actually your brother? Like, blood related?”
Iridescent’s face shot up and her eyes widened. “Yes, actually. A lot of ponies ask us if we’re really related. I know we don’t look alike, or act alike, but we are siblings. They say the only thing we have in common is our eyes.”
Hyper could see that she was right. She had the same purple eye color as Blackout, and the same eye shape. However, the look in her eyes was much more friendly.
“Hmm, okay. I was just wondering,” Hyper said.
“He can be nice sometimes,” Iridescent tried to defend. “But… he’s usually only nice around me. And ThunderCharm too, since she’s our friend.”
“He’s got to really trust a pony to open up to them, huh?” Hyper assumed.
Iridescent nodded, while ThunderCharm explained, “Blackout’s really protective of Iridescent.” She was still sitting on the floor, but was now shifting through the bags on the coffee table.
“Why are you telling me all this?” Hyper requested with curiosity.
“Because you seem like a trustworthy pony,” Thunder replied.
“You trust me? Blackout doesn’t. And you’re a rogue- oh, outlander. Sorry,” Hyper corrected as he peered at Iridescent.”
“It’s okay. I’m only one because I grew up in a gang’s camp. And… I guess I agree with some beliefs.
“And that’s alright. I understand that not every pony stands with the Resistance. But I truly believe that the Resistance is the only group of ponies who are actively trying to make Equestria a better place. And take that from me. I used to be just like you and Blackout.”
Hyper stopped talking for a moment. He leapt off the couch and faced the two young mares. “But I have no right to change your minds. You can live how you like. You are welcome in our camp for as long as you like, and may leave whenever you like. I should go, I probably have some work to do. But don’t be afraid to ask for anything.” He gave them a short nod and left them alone.
Once outside, Hyper caught sight of Blackout again. He was given another dirty look and was disregarded. Shifting his head to the left, Hyper made eye contact with EchoBeat.
“What are we going to do about that one,” Echo sighed.
“Just ignore him,” Hyper said. “It’s best not to engage with toxic ponies. Maybe he’ll come around, or maybe he won’t. We're here to help ponies, and they can decide whether they accept that help or not.”
“I know, you’re right.” Echo nodded. He pivoted around and entered the small tent.
HyperBlitz believed in his own morals. Yet he hoped that Blackout could come around and understand their ways. Even if he’d never be a recruit, he could at least show some decency. Not everyone in Equestria was a virtuous pony, as much as Hyper wished they could be.
It was the second morning since CharmingRhythm had been in Los Pegasus. The day prior he sent out a request through the Resistance’s system. Today there would be ponies interested to interview. Rhythm wanted to be as approachable as possible to his interviewees. He found an old shirt of his that still had a right sleeve, which he tied into a knot under his stub. There were some ponies in the world that found amputations appalling, so the best he could do was cover it up.
Rhythm walked together with Heartfelt on her way to work. He stopped at the desk while she settled into her station.
“Good luck,” Heartfelt smiled.
“Thanks,” Rhythm said and kissed her from across the desk. “Have a good day. I’ll come talk to you when I’m done!”
Rhythm hobbled through the wide hallway and trekked to the meeting center. Excitement urged his legs to move faster, but he knew he couldn’t risk losing balance and causing a scene. He had already received a couple repulsed looks from ponies on his walk. They could be a little less obvious, Rhythm noted, but did not let their stares get him down. Even if ponykind was built on kindness and acceptance, there would still be a few outliers.
In the meeting center there were several separate offices where ponies could be interviewed. Outside of those offices were chairs for ponies to wait. Rhythm noticed that there were already a few ponies outside the room he had reserved. He gave them a nod as he passed by and entered.
The first pony to come in was a gold Unicorn with a brilliant orange mane. Rhythm thought she looked to be around his age, but could not be sure. She introduced herself as SunSwirl.
“So, what abilities could you use for a camp?” Rhythm prompted.
“My special talent is potion making. I studied since I was a filly, and have a few degrees under my belt,” SunSwirl stated.
“Hmm. We could use another pony who knows how to make potions,” Rhythm considered.
SunSwirl seemed like an experienced pony. She was proud of her achievements, but she did not boast. She seemed like the type of mare to teach lessons to ponies. Rhythm accepted her on his crew.
The next pony was a young, light green Unicorn with yellow markings. He pushed the ragged purple hair out of his face when he sat down.
“You seem familiar,” Rhythm remarked, scrutinizing the Unicorn. He could not recall who he reminded him of.
“You look familiar too!” The young stallion replied.
“Really?” Rhythm cocked his head. “That’s weird.” He proceeded to let the pony talk.
“I’m Tailor. If you can’t tell by my name, I’m good at making clothes!” The Unicorn smiled.
“How old are you?” Rhythm questioned.
“Eighteen,” Tailor said.
A very young recruit. He must have been working for the Resistance for maybe a year, two at max. He seemed inexperienced and fidgety. He was not a pony Rhythm would trust keeping up a camp.
“I don’t think this is the right kind of mission for you, kid. I’m sorry,” Rhythm told him sympathetically.
“That’s okay,” Tailor spoke quietly and stood up.
He stared at Rhythm for a moment. From his new angle, he could see Rhythm’s sleeve covered half leg. His eyes widened.
“Oh! I remember now! You look like a pony my dad works with. Missing the same leg too! Although you’re a lot more blue than him. And younger.”
Rhythm blinked for a moment. “That sounds like my dad.”
“Hmm...okay,” was all that Tailor said. He left.
Rhythm was confused for a moment, his brain feeling scattered. The image of the young pony was still in his mind. He remembered the yellow splotches. Patchwork.
The next ponies were a couple, a bit older than Rhythm. Sugarpine a tan Earth Pony, and her husband, Carpenter, a red Earth Pony. Rhythm could already guess what Carpenter's talent was, which he explained, woodworking and building. Perfect for refurbishing old homes. Sugarpine was a baker, and could grow food. Both were good fits.
“The only problem is,” Sugarpine spoke up, “We have a young son. I’m not sure we can take him with us just yet. I’m sure an unfinished camp isn’t safe.”
Carpenter spoke to her and also Rhythm. “You could stay here and take care of him while I work on the camp. When it’s close to finish you could come too. If that would be alright?”
“That’s fine with me,” Rhythm said, shrugging. His movement caused his stub to become visible over the table. He quickly placed it back down and stiffened. “Sorry.”
“For what?” Carpenter asked.
“I know some ponies are… unsettled by amputations.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it.” Carpenter sat back and used his forehooves to prop up his left back leg on the table. It was a mechanical prosthetic. As he placed it back down, he told Rhythm, “I’m surprised you haven’t replaced yours.”
“Actually I’m waiting for it to be made. I broke my other one…” Rhythm disclosed.
“Well, hope you have it by the time I come to your camp,” Carpenter said.
“I’m sure I will,” Rhythm replied.
The last pony to come in was a dark green Pegasus. He was very short for a stallion, shorter than the average mare.
“My name is ForestWind. My talent isn’t very useful, but I have been fighting with the Resistance for many years. I could help you with any Hybrid issues at your camp,” the Pegasus claimed.
Rhythm nodded and thought. “Sure. There’s never enough fighting recruits. And I’m sure you can find yourself useful in other activities.”
“Also, I’d like my wife to come with me,” Forest added. “But, I don’t think she can come yet. You see, we have a foal. She has to take care of him while I am away.”
It sounded like the last couple. “That’s fine with me. Are you sure your wife would make a good addition?”
“She is an excellent fighter just like me. She’s not the most… approachable pony, but she is very intelligent,” Forest assured.
“Hmm. Alright. You’re on board. Hope to see you soon,” Rhythm addressed to him.
That was all of the ponies who had been interested. CharmingRhythm had recruited three, and it would be five later down the road. It’s a good start, he thought. Standing up, he left the meeting room and made his way back to Heartfelt. He couldn’t wait to tell her the news.