//------------------------------// // Intermission One // Story: Fallout: Equestria- The Last Sentinel // by Adder1 //------------------------------// Intermission One Well, folks, I'm back in the saddle. I apologize if my sudden departure upset any of you, and I apologize for misleading everyone. By now, I hope you have a deeper understanding of who I am (he gestured at himself) and what I've done (now his armor). Because, I'm sorry to say, killing Miranda and Wendy in cold blood was the least of my atrocities. If anyone wants me to leave, speak now. Roanoke can always continue the story for me. He's heard it before. Honestly, though, if you wanted to throw me out, you could have told me before I spent the last few hours telling more of my tale. So. Anyone? The storyteller glanced about the room. No objections. He smiled softly. Thank you, all of you. I... I appreciate it. I suppose we'll be getting back to the old schedule since I'm getting one more shot. I'll began at nightfall as usual, taking breaks for dinner and DJ Pon3's nightly roundup. Then I'll go on for a while, probably until two-thirty A.M. or when you folks look ready to drop. Let me be frank- it looks like it's getting close to that time. Don't worry too much about it. I was winding down forty years ago in Stalliongrad all the same. Let's wrap it up, shall we? * * * “My name is Frostbane Hokkaido Windchill.” I finished. “Pleased to meet you.” I glanced about the crowd. “That's it for today. We'll continue tomorrow. Just remember to withhold all judgment until the end of the story. And be here. I'll start when everyone's present. Thank you.” Murmurs filtered through the crowd as they rose, heading for the exits. I was able to catch some tidbits- of amazement, of spite, of pity, of everything in between. But most of all, I heard bits and pieces about the Old Equestria, mainly directed toward the few pre-war ghouls we had at Stalliongrad, some toward me. I answered as best I could. Most of the time, I politely told them to wait a little longer for me to get further into the story. Finally, when only Rig, Azrael, Xamuros, Zasili, and Chief Thunderhooves remained, I sublimated the ice in my throat and let out a rough sigh as I re-wrapped the bandages around my muzzle with my scrawny ice arms. “Wow... that was amazing, Frost!” Rig beamed. “Who told you he was an awesome storyteller?” Sly chuckled, standing proud. “That's right- me!” Xamuros rolled his eyes before locking with mine. “Yeah, definitely still got it in you. Even if you were a grade-A cusshole as a colt.” “Why do you keep on swearing like that?” Rig asked. “It's just how I was raised, okay?” the zebra retorted. “How were you raised?” Xamuros sat down and crossed his forelegs. “No comment.” “Careful now, Xamuros.” Chief Thunderhooves smiled. “We might make you tell your story.” He just grunted in response. “Or I could get Azrael to read your mind,” Rig chuckled. The giant griffiness grunted in response. “So... buddy,” Sly said to me, adjusting his hat, “you've been kinda quiet. You gonna be alright?” I glanced down at the bandages and looked back up at him with my milky eyes. “I can hope,” I replied, voice scratchy without the ice. The big, blue buck winced. I fired up my weakened horn to sprout a pair of ice arms, rolling my wheelchair to the blown-out window looking over the city streets. The night was crisp and cool, just... like so many years ago... “Frost?” Rig called, coming up to me with her slight limp. Her bullet holes were closing up now. I looked at the earth-coated unicorn, into those bright, indigo eyes. “I'm... fine. Just... just reminiscing. Have people been treating you alright?” “Well... yeah, mostly. I mean... better than in Stable Three...” She didn't meet my eyes. I kept looking at her for a bit longer. “You should go get some rest. All of you.” “What of you?” Chief Thunderhooves inquired. I looked over my shoulder at the buffalo ghoul. “I'd like to be by myself for the night. “You are sure, Frost?” Zasili asked slowly. “Da, I'm sure.” I looked back outside. “Rest well, everyone.” I heard the clip-clop of hooves as the others headed out. Rig rest a hoof on my shoulder, and I offered her a smile as best I could with the bandages covering me. She left as well, eventually. I didn't hear any lumbering. “You wished to speak with me, Azrael?” I asked without turning around. “I don't trust Xamuros,” she said. Straightforward, no mincemeating. “Do you trust me?” I asked. “Enough.” Comforting. “Then trust Xamuros. You know I've fought with him, and I'm sure the other people of Stalliongrad have high opinions of him.” “Indeed, but I can't help but feel that way. I can't read him.” “Really now? So even you can't.” “So far I've only been unable to read four types of things- machines including cybers, ghouls, alicorns, and people like you with proper mental training.” “Zebras are seemingly telepathy-proof. There's that.” “... really?” “Really,” I chuckled scratchily. “You didn't just skim over my memories, did you?” “In... some places,” she sighed. “Two-hundred-seventeen years is a lot of material.” “Am I covering it well enough so far?” “Well enough, I suppose.” She paused. “Frost, since I can't read you like this...” “You can't do anything about the nightmares.” I surmised. “Yes,” Azrael said. “I'm sorry.” “Get some rest, Azrael,” I told her. “I can deal with it.” The griffin hybrid remained for a few more seconds. Then I heard her lumber away. A pause. “Tell Her I said hello.” More lumbering. Then silence at last. But not for long. “Hello to you too, Azrael,” She said. I turned toward Her as She walked toward and settled down beside me. “How do you feel?” “Bitter, more than anything else,” I answered, eyes downcast. “I can deal with the pain, but... just... just talking about those days only makes me miss them even more. It hurts... so much... to think about what we lost.” I let out a sigh, mist escaping the wraps around my muzzle. She rest Her head against my shoulder. Her weight was comforting. And yet those glassy eyes made Her look so, so sad. “I miss them too,” She whispered, breath shuddering. I had no doubt that She did. I leaned my head against Hers. She needed that comforting feeling as much as I did. We sat there together for a long time, silent. We watched over the dark, crumbling cityscape. I couldn't help but turn back the clock, part the clouds, piece the rubble back together, watch the dead walk the streets again. Echoes of friendly chattering and hearty laughter trickled to my ears, mingling with the scent of smelting metal and sweat. “You never told me any of that,” She spoke up, jarring me back to the present. “About the Mumei, I mean.” “I didn't want it to be remembered,” I rasped. “Damnatio memoriae.” “But leader of the largest gang ever in Manehattan?” She managed to sound surprised even in Her whisper. “Frankly, I should have heard something about them- or at least of you.” “Then I succeeded in wiping out all trace of it,” I said. “And honestly, my heyday likely passed by the time you returned, ah... to the mainland.” She snorted softly, “Is that what you call it?” “Well, yes...” She nuzzled me gently. “I'm glad you care again.” I smiled at that, even if only momentarily. My expression fell somber once more. “So... now do you understand, love?” I felt Her shift to look at me. “I was able to accomplish all of that by the time I was eighteen years old. Can you see just how easy it would have been for me to end the War? But I didn't. I failed to act, and for that I failed my oaths as a Lunar Guard.” She let out a sigh. “Even so... can you imagine things being any different? Whether it be declaring an armistice or surrendering to the zebras, do you think the world could have ever been the same after what we all devolved into?” “No,” I answered with a sigh of my own, “but it would be better than the Wasteland.” “Love... you know you can't change the past...” She said gently. “I know,” I whispered bitterly, “I know.” I inhaled deeply. “But I can't help but wish I could.” I looked at Her. “They're... going to find out about you tomorrow. Are you nervous?” “Why ask me?” She huffed. “You're the storyteller.” “Well are you?” “Are you?” “... yes.” “Myself as well...” She settled closer. “You should rest, Frost.” I nodded slowly. “You should too.” “And I will.” She nestled up against me as I widened my eyes in surprise. “This time, with you.” “Are... you sure?” I asked. “Quite,” She whispered, tucking Her head under my chin. I smiled softly and leaned against Her, closing my eyes. “Love you always...” “And you as well.” ~ ~ ~ I was floating in the blank void again. Two black, griffin-like shapes loomed over me, their blank, unblinking eyes glaring down malevolently at me. Suddenly, I realized what happened to all those bodies. I watched, horrified, as we became one. ~ ~ ~ When I woke up, I felt... better. I felt... cleaner. I felt like some of my strength returned, felt less brittle. Not completely, no- but better. Curious, I fired up my horn and sprouted ice arms to undo the bandages around my head while forming a reflective square. Doing so felt...easier. My skin was still mottled like those of a ghoul's. But the black tendrils were gone. I gulped. “How about that...” I murmured, tone smoother. * * * Now isn't that something to end on? That's all for tonight, folks. Luna be with you in the Dreamlands. You know where to be tonight. <====ooO Ooo====> Footnote: Frost- Maximum Level Rig- DLC bonus XP acquired! Level Up! Level 15 reached! Azrael- Maximum Level Unlockable added: Soundtrack- Reflections (Looking Back Version)