A game of Chess is like a sword fight. You must think first before you move.
“I think this is a bad idea.”
Charity looked annoyed at the elder robe mare across the table, they had been over the plan again and again. Charity wasn’t a master strategist or anything but from what Applebloom had told her they had two battles they needed to fight, one in the north and one in the south.
Sitting in the center of the table was a map of Hoofinton, multiple dots marking towns and places of interest were colored green with the points of their coming battle colored in a red X. The Harbingers cathedral, and an unassuming mountain, Black pony mountain.
From what Applebloom found the Harbinger’s ‘Goddess’ lay dormant in Hoofington’s main underground former military base. There she had been manufacturing weapons and supplies through control of the base’s systems, enough to create her own cult of followers.
“If we want that ‘Goddess’ and her cult dead then we have to destroy both the bunker and temple at the same time. If we attack one that will give their Goddess or Dawn time to escape.” Charity used her magic to form arrows that pointed off the map of the Hoof in every corner. “It takes a day for her to upload herself to another major terminal. Attacking her while she least expects it is our only way, but we can’t let Dawn escape. Dawn isn’t just some pawn of the goddess’ she’s her pupil. If the Goddess died Dawn has the source code and knowledge to restore the Goddess good as new.”
Dawn had been the one who apparently freed the Goddess from some major terminal in the core she was trapped in and brought her to their new hideout. Even built the new terminal for her god, they were both linked like Celestia and Luna. “We kill them both or fight them again later.”
“But you have something that can beat them without splitting our forces. The key to Hoofington.” Crunchy injected. “Instead of this all-or-nothing battle, why not open the city boaster ourselves with the weapons and defenses? We could even force them to surrender without firing a single shot.”
Charity rolled her eyes like any disrespectful foal, this time it was a filly who had to explain to an adult why they were wrong. “What, you don’t think I tried that? EC-1101 needs to go through a routing program where it needs to be galloped all around the Hoof to different terminals until it opens the city, then I need to go all around the city doing the same thing. Plus while being shot at and hunted by Harbingers and robots so no some controlled by that 'goddess', we fight to the finish and that’s it.”
“What’s wrong Carrot, all that studying on that boat take the fight out of ya?” Big Daddy teased as he sat drinks down on the table. “We’re getting the biggest stomp in 200 years and you want to try everything to get out of it. What happened to the mare who galloped through minefields to get some magical rifles?” The battle-scarred whitish stallion took a seat to the side, relaxing in his chair, shades covering his eyes as he sipped on the strawberry lemonade.
“These Harbingers have been throwing their weight around the Hoof long enough. I’m not letting them threaten my legion.” To the other side of the table sat the striped form of the Legate. The Zebra wore a cloak that showed a star-like pattern, his stripes were circles that all looked like they came from a single point-like a solar system. To top off his strange appearance was the dragon skull that covered his face. “My legionnaires have been complaining to no end about having nothing to do. This fight is a good way to whip my legion into shape! Plus I can’t let Gangers have all the fun.”
“Afraid your gonna be our clean-up crew Amandi?” Big Daddy smirked.
The legate nayed at that. “Only thing getting cleaned up is their wreckage after my legion is through. Try to keep up with us Stone.”
“Please, my Reapers will be done with Dawn and her cronies within an hour. We’ll be back for a drink while you're still fighting.”
“Want to bet?” Through the skull’s eye hole, Amandi raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah ya ponytailed filly, the first side to clear their battle gets free drinks from the other!” Big Daddy enthusiastically clapped his hooves together.
“Your on Stone.”
“Oh dear Celestia, can you two take this seriously!” The amount of embarrassment on Crunchy Carrots' face made the orange mare almost look red. “We are talking about the very future of the Hoof and most likely the entire Equestrian Wasteland, this isn’t a contest!”
“You really have gotten old Crunchy, no fun life anymore?” Big Daddy jest.
“I’m not 20 anymore! I act my age damn it!”
As the future employees in front of her kept arguing, Charity rolled her eyes and took a chocolate bar from her purse. She ate it as the others slowly realized she was waiting for them. “Can we get back to planning or are we done here?” She saw how Crunchy got redder while Big Daddy and the Legate scratched the back of their heads.
“Yes let’s.” Crunchy Carrot tried to compose herself, turning her attention back to the map. “There is another thing I wish to ask you Charity. It’s about what you plan to do when you take charge of the city?”
Charity knew that question was coming, if it wasn’t for the Harbingers the Steel Rangers would be gunning for her. “What’s wrong Carrot, think I’m going to take over the world?” Charity quipped.
Carrot ignored the comment as she press the matter. “You, no. I’m worried about the dangers that the city poses to the entirety of Equestria. Hoofington was a major development and research center during the Great War with most of its major projects overseen by the Princess herself. Massive factories, powerful defense systems, hidden projects lay within its walls.” Carrot now looked at Charity with a bit more ire. “All of this is a lot just to give to a filly.”
The filly could feel the daggers Carrot was glaring at her, it was expected. Carrot was the head Elder of the Hoofington branch of the Steel Rangers, a surviving unit of the Ministry of Wartime Technology that spawned into a large Wasteland cult. Obsessed with acquiring pre-wasteland tech by any means, they had made the Hoof one of their prime targets. So seeing the bounty they had so long lusted after go to a filly was probably the biggest shame they ever felt.
When Charity had first returned to the Hoof and made their plans known the Rangers tried to capture her, only to get a rude awakening by the Demon Mares. “Let's be real here with you Carrot. I don’t give a fuck about the Wasteland or you.”
Carrot glared but the filly couldn’t care less. “I want two things: One, kill that bitch who burned down my town and took my friends away! Two, restart my business bigger than ever, that’s it! I don’t care about taking over the Wasteland, I’m a filly what do I need that for? I just want to be the first CEO of the Wasteland!” Charity's horn lit up, a magically conjured hoof pointed to all the places of her interest. “I want to open the biggest Megacorpration across the Hoof’s trade hubs and beyond. With the material and tech of the city, I will out buy all the major traders like the Finders and start selling my own homegrown products. The rest of the Hoof can join in or not, I don’t care, but if you want some of that sweet tech maybe you should sign on.” Charity purred.
“Steel Rangers are not mercenaries! We work for the greater good, not petty caps!” Carrot yelled slamming her hooves on the table.
Charity shrugged. “Too bad. The Reapers and the Legion are getting in, gonna be sad when the Steel Rangers aren’t the only game with power armor in town.” Charity could see the fumes starting to pour out of Carrot’s head. “Still don’t want to sign up?”
“No.” Was her only answer.
“Too bad, maybe you’ll change your mind when the armor starts selling.” Charity hopped from her seat, making for the door but giving one last piece of advice. “In a week everything changes, be ready.” Before leaving the adults to themselves.
---------
“Okay, my Zebs listen up.” Rampage stood in front of a whiteboard dressed in a coach outfit. “We’re going skydiving soon and I want your asses ready.” She smacked the board, pointing to a poorly drawn tower done in marker. “We’re jumping out the zeppelin onto the tower’s roof using flyer Talismans, the most important thing to remember is to flap your wings forward to glide with the air but to keep your legs together when landing.”
The Reapers all sat around the Striped Mare, intently listening to every word like students. “The turrets were made for large targets, not small ponies since the Zebras didn’t have natural flyers. That means we will be out gliding under molter fire, follow your squad leader, no breaking off. Will be flying down in a zig-zag pattern.” She pointed to the endless lines that ended at the building’s top. “Any questions?”
“Yeah Mama, how is zig-zagging gonna keep our asses from being blown off? That tower is a tough nut to crack with all those guns.” A caramel mare sitting in the front row asked, getting chuckles from her comrades.
“Well, smartass most of the heavy lifting on the ground will be done by the tin cans and our loveable Hoofington Death Hounds. They will be surprising the cultist with a good game of wack-a-mole.” A turquoise mare to Mallet’s right raised her hoof next. “Yeah what Cuffs?”
“So if we win will you make us all dinner please Mama?” Cuff did her best puppy dog expression which made the entire gathering laugh.
The Reapers always made the Striped Mare feel like she was at home, she treated them like her children and they loved her for it. And like any loving parent, she showered them with love. “If we win I’m making everyone a BBQ with meat pies! So don’t die or your ass is missing out!”
The Reapers stomped, howled, and shouted their battle cry in excitement at the news. Their cheering evaporated throughout the shady town of the Studium the gang called home.
At the top of the stadium's bleachers, an Alicorn looked out at the shouting crowd below with a smile on her face. “Always the mother Arloste.” She sat on the balcony overlooking the entire stadium. The arena that once held the largest sporting events in pre-war Equestria. Home to Hoofington’s Reapers, the most violent Hoofball team in the sport. When Equestria became the Wasteland various warrior tribes of the Hoof used this place as a battle arena between their champions until Big Daddy unified them under the former team’s namesake.
Most of the arena's bleachers had been converted into little dems that served as homes or services from the various tribes, the upper stands being for the highest Reapers and services. And Lacunae was enjoying its highest drinks.
She took a sip from her wine glass before returning to the sight of her good friend. “You adore her don’t you?” Lacunae turned to the gentleman voice of the stallion sitting across from her. He was probably the largest pony she had ever known with muscles that seemed more like steel than flesh. But that contrasted his beautiful face with his well-kept curled mustache. “You're always smiling when your with her.”
“She is a very good friend. Probably the best mare I’ve met since.” Lacunae caught herself before saying it. She didn’t think he needed to know that bit of personal information. “Anypony in the Wasteland. For almost 40 years I’ve seen how she’s become a ray of light to people around her.” Lacunae said with distant love. “An almost far cry from who she used to be. She’s taking me all the way to Dise you know?”
Stronghoof snicker at that. “That’s weeks down south, and from what I heard very dangerous and very expensive.”
“For us, that’s just the joy of the Wasteland, a fun little game. Besides me and her need time off after the big fight.” The Alicorn recounted the amount adventures the two shared. She considered they could write a novel series, of course, Lacunae would do the writing.
“Well, aren’t you spoiled? You get to go on two vacations.” Stronghoof simper his expression as the Alicorn looked bewildered at him. “I made arrangements with Elder Crunchy Carrots. After the battle, I plan to take a week off in Tenpony tower, with you of course.”
Lacunae was lost for words, a first in a long time. “Strong, i-i don’t know what to say. How did you? Tenpony wouldn’t allow?”
“Let's say the Stronghoof family has a lot of pull in Manehattan. A little deal or there, some trade you don’t have to worry about.” He winked.
Lacunae was knocked off her hooves, Tenpony was one of the surviving hubs of the former government and a high class society in the Wastelands. Getting in was not cheap, plus they didn’t take kindly to Alicorns. “How much did it cost? Did you really go through all of that for me? You shouldn’t-”
“Don’t say that.” He raised a hoof. “You are worth every cap my lady. For a mare as good as you no cost is too high.” Lacunae didn’t get emotional, the harder centuries of her existence had made her stoic yet even now she couldn’t hold back gasping. “I just want to know one thing. Will you accept me?”
“I will.” She whispered. “But, first I need to make up time with Arloste. Would you be insulted if I went with her first before you?” There was a bit of pain in that question, choosing between a lifelong friend and your partner was never an easy choice.
“No.” He smiled as he shook his head. “I know you and her have a deep bond, one that goes deeper than a friend. She is your family and you should try to build that with her. I can wait to take you when you return.”
With a quiet sigh, Lacunae let go of a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you my lady.”
------
“Again!” Blackjack slammed another glass down to the cheers of all the Reapers around her. The bartender sled her another which the Cyber Mare happily drank down. “That’s 40 in a roll, pay up everypony!” Blackjack giggled like a happy gambler when sacks of caps were thrown her way.
“Jack your cheating being a Cyber pony.” A Griffin in red painted combat armor half joked from the other side of the bar. “Ain’t no normal creature can keep up with that.”
“Shit, Griffins have stronger stomachs than ponies, bulls have stronger stomachs than you, and dragons them. Only fair a Cyber pony show you whose boss.” She waved off.
“Yeah well don't be such a show off during the big fight, end up dead that way.” A mare with an eye patch added.
“If I get killed by any pony other than Dawn you guys have the right to call me the biggest loser in the Reapers. But let’s enjoy tonight with another round on the house!” The bar laughed as ponies, Griffins, Zebras, Buffalo, and Minotaurs sang the Cyber Mare praises.
“Don’t lose Jack. Your the best thing to happen to the Hoof in 20 years.”
“Drinking would suck if you weren’t here.”
“You and Auntie Arloste do good around here. Ponies from all around the Hoof join up because of ya.”
They praised her, looked up to her, and saw her as an inspiration. When she first left the Stable Hoofington wasn’t very welcoming. Being hunted by Bounty Hunters, Raiders at every overpass, every day was a fight to survive. Except for the Reapers, she had heard the rumors and Wasteland guides about them, a mixed gang of every violent creature in the entire Hoof, fear and loathed by all. When she actually met them they were anything but. Violent yes, killers yes, but were the most welcoming and kind people you could meet when you actually spent time with them. Blackjack never had a job she actually enjoyed or took pride in, but the Reapers changed that.
As the Cybermare ordered more drinks her left arm began to buzz. “Seems that’s my signal to go everybody.” The bar moan and pleaded with the Cyber mare to stay, but she couldn't humor them. “Sorry everyone the filly at the top says jump I have to. See you all at the big stomp”
Plus they couldn’t stay in one place for too long, which made them easy targets for Dawn and her cult. So it was with cheers and goodbyes Blackjack left the former food stand turned bar for the arena. Walking into the shady town Blackjack saw more people here than usual, buying weapons and gear, praying to the goddesses, or training in the arena itself. All getting ready for the final fight.
She wondered if in her war of vengeance she was dragging all these people into it. Years ago some ponies called her a meddler, and she caused chaos in the Hoof. Deus, the mutant attacks, and now Dawn’s cult. Was she just a magnet for bad luck for everyone? No, even if she didn’t do anything EC-1101 would still be the target of Dawn and her goddess. Even if she died when she first set hoof in the Wastes they would be there.
Revenge or not they would still be monsters, she just had a personal reason to go after them. Was it selfish? To place one’s own personal hate on the same level as a threat to the entire Wasteland? Yeah, but they align so that was all that mattered.
“Wasteland, Hoof, Harbingers. All that matters is Dawn and Glory, even if I died I’ll see that bitch goes with me and Glory free from her.” The thought was cold and single-minded but was her conviction, all she had left in this world.
“It’s all that matters,” Blackjack spoke to confirm to no pony but herself
She scale the stairs of the town until she was at the higher bleacher of the arena. There she found her friends waiting at an entrance. “Hurry up Blackjack, time is money and energy.” Charity derided.
“Out having a fun time with the fellows before the big day?” Lacunae politely asked.
Blackjack gave one look back at the arena, seeing all the tribes of the hoof come together for this. “Just thinking of my role in this. Whether or not I’m to blame.”
“Jack don’t be a sore spot. I thought we pass the “everything’s my fault part of your life?” Rampage rolled her eyes in complete distrain at the idea of that Blackjack returning to that.
“No, I know I’m not to blame. But I needed to spend some time with them just in case.” She left the words hanging, deciding whether or not her friends knew how she felt. “It’s nothing just wanted to think about these ponies and creatures before we leave.”
They all knew what she meant, the idea of dying wasn’t completely off their minds just not at the center of it. They had spent two years preparing for this moment and now they would face their fate, either a New Horizon or death, but they accepted both.
“Come, let us be on our way.” Lacunae’s horn lit up as magic inclose them in a flash, then they were gone.
Mods:
New Arena: Complete rework of the Hoofington arena turning into a full town with inns, shops, more NPCs, and new quests.
Reapers reaping!: Complete faction change of the Reapers, new NPCs added, new quest to join the Reapers, better armor, and skills, more races in the Reapers, along with reworks of several major characters from the Reapers.
Steel Ranger Reapers allies: Don’t like that pesky Reapers Steel Ranger war? This mod removes it and makes them able to be allies, quest to get them to join you in the New Horizons addon.