//------------------------------//
// Chapter 31.5: A Guide to the Future 
// Story: Fallout Equestria: Our Will (rewrite) 
// by AngryPenguin 
//------------------------------//


"I love to win, but if I ever gotta choose between winning and being loyal to my friends, I'm always gonna choose my friends."



7 years earlier...


Sweet Petal's Malts was one of the only places in Thunderhead to get a good milkshake. The diner-esque appearance of the building always seemed to welcome anypony into its doors. Signature red, gray, and white tile covered the floor. Old fashioned photos hung all over the colorful walls. The middle-aged mare at the counter kept her menu short and sweet. Literally. She sold nothing but malts, milkshakes, and whatever smoothie flavors were available. Sweet Petal took her recipes seriously, too. I never knew what she put in them, but her chocolate milkshakes were a work of art. She never failed to make ponies feel at home.

"Hey, sweetie!" She called to me as I walked through the door, bell ringing above my head.

I breathed in the smell of fruit as I smiled and waved to her. The Shake Squad would be there, like every weekend. Chaser had wanted to plan a trip to the race track. I was sure he wanted to gamble away more of his allowance. I looked around to find our usual table. Spotting Redd sitting on one of the cloud-cushioned stools, I made my over to him. We always turned up in the same manner. First, Redd would get there right before me. Then, I'd show up once I helped my grandmother with chores. Next, Bolt Chaser and Wick would arrive together as always. Violet was last, not surprisingly. 

"How did it go on your exams?" I took my place across from the other white pegasus.

He whinnied, rubbing the side of his face. "I passed. That's good enough, I guess." We were in our last year of school before we'd choose our careers.

"Well, at least you passed." I pat his shoulder. "You'll still be able to join the military."

Redd's eyes fell on me. "True." He perked up. "Oh yeah, want to leave here together so we can stop at my place to pick up your notes?"

I nodded. "Sure, I need to let Violet know and-"

"No!" He braced himself on the table. "No Violet! Please. We never get to hang out, just me and you." He winked

I chuckled, playfully rolling my eyes. "Hmm. I guess you're right. We really don't ever hang out. Okay, I'll fly with you."

I looked up to see Chaser and Wick coming towards us as Redd let out a whispered "Yes!". They flew over to us, sitting to my left.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite panic attack!" Chaser laughed as he hoof bumped me. 

"Heh. Never gets old, big bro." I returned the bump, not amused. I kept watch on the door. "Violet must be running late, as usual."

"Nope!" I yelped as the mare, herself, hopped onto the stool next to me. My heart almost stopped!

"Good!" Chaser clapped his hooves. "Now that we are all present, first on the agenda..." He swiveled the stool to face Sweet Petal. "Hey Sweet! We need the usual, please!"

The old mare smiled as she nodded. "Coming right up!"

As he turned back to us, Chaser began his master plan. "Okay. Track. Tomorrow at noon. Any objections?"

Wick rolled her eyes. "You really think you should go this time? I mean, Lemon Zap sprained his leg a couple of weeks ago." 

Violet stretched. "What a rookie."

Chaser eyed Violet. "He may be a rookie, but I've won almost enough to buy a share of the track, myself. And it's all thanks to him."

"Dude, they only let racers buy the shares." Redd added as the shakes were set in front of us. His was vanilla.

Chaser hooked a leg around him. "Ah, you are correct! But, I have a plan." He spread his hooves and wings wide. "I've been training, so I'll be joining the racers after this school year. Then, after I have the share in my grasp, I'll take your place as Lightning's protege." He nudged the sullen pegasus in the side.

Redd propped his head on his hoof. "Excuse me for not being so enthusiastic."

I gave him a reassuring smile. "Chaser's just teasing you. The Enclave is good, too. You'll be set." I didn't lie. You'd be taken care of if you signed up for the military. The racers only got paid by performance. 

He turned pink.

"Oh, just kiss already." Violet crossed her hooves. "The amount of flirting amongst our friend group is so cringey."

I hid my face. "There's no flirting, Vi."

Wick giggled. "Well, while we are talking careers, I think I'll study biology."

Violet whistled. "That's gonna be difficult. But, if anyone can do it, you can, egghead." She chuckled, then sighed. "My stupid parents won't let me sign up for the G.P.E. Said I'm liable to 'get myself killed'." 

"They're just worried, you know." I told her.

She shrugged. "I know, but I don't want to spend my life in a boring ass place. What about you?"

I swallowed a sip of milkshake. "M-me? Well... I know what I want to do, but..." I shifted, uncomfortably. 

"Then do what you want." Chaser said. "It's your life."

I bit my lip, thinking of the old fashion magazines at home. I would have loved to sew and create colorful outfits and quilts! Unfortunately, with the way things were, ponies weren't exactly prioritizing fashion. I sighed. "What I want doesn't necessarily mean I'll be able to take care of myself and my family."

"Ah, yes. The fashion designer." Violet mock flipped her half-shaven mane and chuckled. "Well, as Bolty said: 'It's your life.' Don't spend it unhappy."  She drank her smoothie, content with her words.

I shook my head. "It's not like that, Vi. I need to think of my grandparents. They're gonna be too old to take care of themselves. I just want them to be financially stable, too." I looked at my hooves.

"Sia, I see what you mean, but-"

"The Enclave may have a position that you like. Uniform adjustment, maybe?" Wick tapped her chin.

"And if you don't like it, you could always resign after a year." Redd shrugged. 

I thought a moment. I was torn, but my gut was telling me to sign up. "W-What about the combat? I can't f-fight." I chewed my hoof.

Chaser held my chin with his feather. "Hey, sis. It's training, not real fighting."

"What about-"

"You realize they have desk positions too, right? There's a chance a small mare like you wouldn't have to be on the field." Redd commented.

I shrank back. "I guess..."

"Well, I think no matter what we choose, we should always meet back here every weekend." Chaser held up his butterscotch milkshake.

"Best friends, forever!" Wick did the same with hers.

Once Redd and Violet also agreed, they looked to me. I couldn't help but grin. "Always..."





We had it all figured out. Our remaining goals were to reach the glass ceiling.

Too bad survival has to be the main priority.

Bolt didn't get to be a racer. Wick couldn't get a biologist position in the Enclave. Redd's career was forced upon him. Violet was held back from a future. None of their plans came through. I guess it's rare to be able to plan out a whole future. I think I had a dream at one time. I did want to be a seamstress. I also knew it was possibly obsolete. I was too busy worrying about my subsequent goals to even plan them. I think the worry and the fear kept me from trying to dream too big. 

I scoured Moondancer's lab in the direction of my friends, new and old. Whatever plans they had now, I didn't want them to have to worry about changing their futures. However, Blight was currently in the way. I hated that I didn't know what to do. I refused to cry, again. I had them with me, in that moment. It was all that mattered to me. I'd have to have confidence in them and myself if we even had a chance to beat her. I strolled around, stopping to check on everyone. It was hard to hide my nervousness. When I got to the tables, Fleece and Moondancer were discussing possible cures for the misery spell. I frowned, when I saw Redd laying on the table in front of them. His cheeks were damp from the tears.

"Mind magic is a fickle thing. You can't just change the chemistry in the brain." Moondancer had told me.

I sighed, taking the few steps to be beside him, again. When I saw him holding his head, something in me broke. I was so scared of the future that I didn't even think of the moment I could have been in. I could've be happy, but I cost myself that privilege. What was the point of giving myself so much misery when I had something good going for me? Well, considering where we were. I had a lot to be thankful for. I couldn't let so much fear and doubt take that away from me when I still had even a small chance. 

Damn it, I don't know what the future holds for me, but I do know what I want it to be.

I mused on the possibilities a little more, then rested my forehead against Redd's.

"Marry me?" I asked him.

If there was any way to silence a room, it would be that. There were no closed mouths. Except Moondancer, of course.

Redd sat up, eyes as large as saucers. "W-What?" 

"Will you marry me?" I repeated.

"Holy shit." Vi whispered. 

Redd slowly climbed off the table and stood in front of me. "You... You want to marry m-me?"

My smile grew. "Of course." I took his artificial wing in mine. "You know, I'm really glad we didn't stay in Thunderhead." He perked at the familiarity of the words. "I was able to grow more, here. We may defeat Blight. We may not. But now I know what I want my future to be. Even if we don't make it through, at least we know what we wanted. I want to wake up next to you tomorrow. I want our foal to meet their aunts, uncles and grandparents." I gestured to everyone. I took a deep breath and looked in his eyes. "I want to marry you, but only if you're sure you'll be happy with me. Until the very end, whenever it may be." I knew I was doing the right thing. I felt it in my heart. We would all be... okay.

I took a step towards him, gently leaning my head on his neck. "I love you, Redd. Always." I whispered.

"Am I seeing things? Did that emerald flash?"

"Probably a reflection."

I breathed slowly, keeping the smile on my face. It didn't matter what he said, really. My mind was peaceful. For a long few minutes, he remained silent. I almost looked up to see if he was okay, but then I heard him chuckle. He kissed my mane over and over while he laughed. My bangs dampened. When I pulled away, I saw he wore the biggest grin. Moondancer and Fleece were urgently whispering but I ignored them. Redd looked happier than he had been earlier. It was tears of joy, finally.

"So? What do you say?" I wiped his cheek with my feathers.

"I think you know the answer to that." Redd pulled me into an embrace. For a few seconds, we were not in any danger. I had forgotten about Blight.

The clanking of Moondancer's steps came nearer. "How are you feeling?"

He didn't pull away as he answered. "I've never been so ecstatic in my entire life."

"I meant spell-wise." She added, blatantly.

The pegasus stallion looked at her and thought a moment. "I... feel better. It's like the spell went away for the most part."

Moondancer's eyes glowed for a second. She turned and walked over to her computer and began typing. "Interesting."

When he turned back to me, he beamed. His red eyes glimmered. I went in for a kiss, but then was halted by Dad bursting into tears. "She's getting married!!" Mom consoled him, once again.

"Well," Pepper spoke up. "This is... unexpected?" She scratched the nape of her neck.

"I call mare of honor!" Violet raised her hoof. "We are gonna be cousins-in-law!" She squealed

My sheepish expression fell on Redd. "I was actually hoping we could go ahead and elope... now."

"Now? Sia, I hate to break it to you, but there's a monster above us, right now. It's kind of urgent." Nico inquired.

I let go of my new fiancée. "If there's a chance we can't beat her... I-I want..." I paused, let out a soft breath, and relaxed. "I just don't have any other plans." I smiled at my unicorn friend. He was dumbfounded.

"The mechanical being is currently gathering intel. I believe you have a few minutes to spare at the very least." Moondancer watched her monitors. I could see the dragon-like machine speaking with the Coven members. The robo-corn switched the screen to the camera footage in the security room in the Beacon and went to a nearby bookshelf. It amazed me how she knew exactly what book she was looking for. It was an ancient book, with a symbol resembling the sun. 

She turned to me, expressionless. "I can officiate the ceremony, if you'd like." She held up a hoof, before I could question her. "Yes, I'm serious. Yes, I am authorized to do so. And no, you don't have to repay me."

I looked to Redd, who nodded eagerly.

"Very well." She took her place between us and opened the tome. "Dearly beloved friends and family, we are gathered toge-"

BANG!

Violet rushed to the computer, switching the feed back to Blight. That monster was attempting to break down the steel doors! "Better get to the important parts, Moony!"

"Right. Now, we join Sienna and Redd in this union." She looked to me. "Do you take Redd to be your husband?"

"I do." I said, hurriedly.

To Redd. "And do you take Sia to be your wife?"

BANG!

"I really do." The stallion gazed peacefully at me despite the noises above us.

Moondacer adjusted her glasses, unmoved. "You may now-"

We were already completing the union before she finished her sentence.

"Okay, I guess you could have done this yourselves." Moondancer trotted back to the computer, hitting a few keys. A window appeared, showing information. "It appears the security team has fled. If you exit through the back of the lab, you'll be in the security room in the Beacon." She was talking about the other tunnel entrance.

"Any useful tips or information?" Nico asked her.

Moondancer levitated a box to him. "Take these. I have no current record or knowledge for literally most of this, but I may have something that can help. They were created by the Ministry of Technology to disable any mechanical device, including armor. They may not be fully efficient, but they may help."

BANG! CREEEAAK

"So, spark grenades?" Violet took one out of the box to examine it. Sure enough, it looked exactly like the pieces in the giant clump of grenades made by the raiders. The silver casing was accented only by the small blue glow coming from the top. There were five of them.

Fleece hugged me, then hoofed over my saddle bag. "I put as many potions and Med-X in there I could find. Please, be careful."

I nodded, throwing the bag over my shoulder. "I will."

Behind me, everyone gathered. Violet readied her sword. Nico, Dad, and Redd had their guns locked and loaded. Even Pepper and my mother held pistols. I shivered, trying to shake off the last of the nervousness. I grabbed my pistol, checking over it. Bob might not do much, but the energy pistol had helped me out a few times. I holstered it and drew a deep breath as I forced a smile.

In the tunnel, my newly acquired husband caught up to me. "Sia, I'm glad you're determined, but I wish you would have stayed in the lab. If we lose, at least maybe you'd stay hidden and safe."

I swallowed. "I'm sorry. I can't let you guys go out there without me." I held my belly. "I'll try to be as careful as I can. Just remember to fight her spells. Don't let them take you back to that... place."

He nodded, still unsure of my words.

"Everyone," I looked back. "She will try to use her spell, again. Don't let it get to you. Please, keep the bad thoughts at bay. At least, until we figure out how to really beat them."

They nodded.

"Good. Let's go try to save this damned world."





Level Up!
S- 6
P- 6
E- 7
C- 4
I- 6
A- 5 (+1)
L- 5

New Perk!
Spouse's Embrace - While in battle with your partner, you gain +1 Luck.