//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Ghost Town Throw Down // Story: A Wilder Wasteland // by Midnight Words //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Ghost Town Throw Down ------------------------------ Goodsprings, 10:00 A.M ------------------------------ The Courier headed down to the abandoned gas station, he left Twilight in the saloon, surrounded by books instead of shot glasses. He still didn't trust the girl, but knew that she wouldn't harm him, not yet anyway. He pushed open the large door to the gas station, it creaked and squeaked as the Courier pushed the door open. He met face to face with a 9mm pistol aimed to his head. "Everytime..." Daniel muttered, and raised both of his hands to signify that he wasn't a threat. "What do you want?" The man wearing an old caravanner set of clothes said, nervously, his hand tight on the gun and trigger. "Look, buddy, I'm here to help." Daniel said and pushed down the barrel of the gun. "Heard about your little Powder Ganger problem." The man holstered his pistol with an apologetic sigh. "Sorry about that. Name's Ringo, been on edge for a while." He said and picked up a stack of cards. "Maybe we got off on the wrong foot, how about a game of Caravan?" He said and gave the Courier a deck of cards. "Maybe later. Right now, I want to help." Daniel said with a salesman like smile. Ringo narrowed his eyes. "What's the catch? 'Cause I'll have you know that I don't have any money." "No catch. All I want is to protect this little town." Daniel said and leaned on the counter. "... No really, what do you want?" Daniel sighed. "I was going to loot their bodies and sell their stuff for a few caps." "That's better. Anyway, I appreciate the help, but the two of us aren't exactly a force to be reckoned with." "And you think I should ask the town for some help?" Daniel said with a smirk. "I'll go ask Sunny." "Yeah, she's been the most helpful person in this town, but we might need a few more people." "I'll work on it, you should just get ready for a fight." ------------------------------ Goodsprings, Prospector Saloon, 10:00 A.M ------------------------------ Twilight had read through all the books in the saloon. Having nothing to do, she made her way to the bar. Her pockets jingled with a few caps Daniel gave her. Daniel reminded her a lot like Rainbow Dash. Her eyes dropped low to the ground. She was worried about her friends, she's been gone for a day now, and they would all be worried about her. Trudy came along with a bottle of cheap beer. "Looks like you need it, hon." She said with her trademark smile. She really did need it, but she declined. "No thank you. I was just thinking." "About what? Someone as smart as you would have something insightful to share." Twilight sighed and fiddled with her "fingers". "I was just thinking of my friends, were they worried? What are they doing? Were they looking for me? I really miss them." "Friend, huh?Been a long while since I've heard those words." Trudy said with a wishful sigh. "Look, hon. If your friends really care about you then they must be looking for you." Trudy said to comfort Twilight. "And that's the problem. If they are looking for me, then they'll be looking for me where the last time they saw me. They're going to die if they tried to go through there, and that's what worries me." Twilight said, and looked at the bottle of beer. "Radiation? That's the problem with good friends, they always put themselves in danger for you. That's usually how you can tell if a friend's a keeper or just tagging along for the ride." Trudy said and offered the bottle again. "They're all good friends, but there is one who would just rush in to find me, even ignoring a direct order from the Princess." Twilight said and grabbed the bottle. "Princess? Don't know about any princesses, but I can tell you that someone like that comes around once in a blue moon." Trudy said. "And that Daniel, what do you think about him?" "Nice, I guess? He's a bit brutal, but he's sort of caring." Twilight said and drank some of the beer. "Not like that, I mean if you like him?" Twilight did the classic spit take. Beer was spraying everywhere. "Huh? NoNoNoNo. I mean we just met and..." Twilight's checks began flushing bright red. "I heard some gossiping." Sunny said and walked over to the two girls. "Who are we talking about?" "Daniel, we were just talking if he was good marriage material." Trudy said with a smirk. Twilight was the same shade of red as Big Mac. Sunny saw Twilight's unease and laughed. "He's definitelygonna keep you up all night." "I... uh... need to go!" Twilight suddenly exclaimed, and ran out the saloon. As she ran out, she was the Courier ran towards the saloon. He waved and slid to a stop. "Have you seen Sunny anywhere?" He quickly asked. Twilight pointed inside the saloon. "Why?" "There's gonna be a gunfight!" He said and rushed in the saloon. He rushed and saw Sunny and Trudy have a little chat. "Sunny, I need your help." He said. "Powder Ganger are gonna attack the town-" "Say no more, I'll help." She said with a smile. "We aren't exactly a fighting force here, and we're lacking in supplies." "You're just gonna help?" Daniel said with a confused look. "No payment or-" "If it means keeping this town safe." Trudy said. "She'll do just about anything." "Anyway, we need medical supplies, some armor, weapons and ammo, and we need more people to fight on this side." Sunny said and picked up her gun. Cheyenne howled in excitement. "How do you suppose I get that?" Daniel asked and crossed his arms. "I barely have enough caps for my own stuff." "You can try convincing Chet on giving you some weapons, but I think 'give' isn't Chet's vocabulary. You can go to Doc Michelle for some supplies. you can also ask Easy Pete for some dynamite, and Trudy could help rally up some more folk." She said and stared at Trudy. "Right?" "I was planning on sitting this one out, but when she gives me the glare, she give me the glare. I'm in." Trudy said with a small sigh. Easy Pete came running in. "We got a problem. Powder Ganger are getting ready, we have until noon before they attack." He said in a hurried tone. "Easy Pete, we need some of your dynamite." Daniel said. "We don't have enough firepower to fight 'em back." Easy Pete changed his tone to a more serious one. "No, you'll blow yourselves up." "Pete, they have dynamite, they could scatter us and pick us off one by one. We need something to fight 'em back." Easy Pete was silent for a moment. "Fine, I'll dig up my stash, but if it all goes to hell, than I'm gonna blame you for it." He said with a glare. "That's one down." Daniel said and ran out the saloon. He saw the insane amount of Powder Gangers and felt a small smile on his face. He noticed Twilight waiting outside the saloon and rushed to her. "Twilight, I need you to go to Doc Michelle's house and get us some extra stimpacks, tell him that the Powder Gangers are coming." Before Twilight could react he rushed off. Twilight looked at the Courier's running figure with a confused look on her face. She decided to do as he asked and headed over to Doc Mitchell’s. ------------------------------ Goodsprings, 12:00 P.M ------------------------------ The people that gathered were all ready, their guns were loaded and dynamite at the ready. The people all had leather armor thanks to Chet and the Courier. The sun was high and the town was aching for a fight. Daniel went over to the makeshift cover of barrels and crates. "It won't hold, but it will slow them down." He muttered to himself. Sunny came running, rifle at the ready. "About two dozen Powder Gangers, ready to fight." Sunny said and eyed the barrier. "There wasn't much cover out here and we would have been slaughter, thanks to your quick thinking we might be able to pull it off." "Alright, let's get ready." Daniel said. He turned his attention to the crowd of settlers and farmer. "Stay in cover! Take potshots and throw those dynamites right in the middle of their group!" He yelled to the townies. He glanced over the running mob of convicts and smiled. "Get ready!" "Hold fire!" Sunny yelled. "Wait for them to get closer." Twilight didn't want to be a part of this, she was at the back with the meds, she was meant to play the role of medic during the fight. She turned to Trudy with a worried look. "Couldn't we try talking to them? Diplomatic?" "Honey, trust me, I've tried." Trudy said. A shot was fired at the barrier. Sunny opened fired along with the rest of the town. Powder Gangers were hit and scrambling for cover. Dynamites were tossed over the barrier, followed by screams and explosions. Gore and blood splattered on the sand and soil. Twilight grimiced as the screams of the Powder Gangers were cut short by bullets and explosions. The remaining Powder Gangers retreated behind what little cover they could find, and started chucking every dynamite they could take. The barricade exploded, making an opening for the remaining Powder Gangers to run through. The Powder Gangers ran through the gap and opened fire, taking down several locals with a few well-placed shots. Daniel rushed in with the rusty knife and dug itself deep into one of the Powder Ganger's bare chest. He took the dynamite from the dead Powder Ganger's holster and lit it. Daniel ran to the Powder Gangers and dropped the dynamite at their feet. He rolled back and let the explosive do the work. Twilight went to work, trying her best to patch up any wounded and trying not to puke because of the dead bodies. She saw the last of the Powder Gangers running away, she breathed a sigh of relief that it was over, the people have stopped firing and began cheering. Everyone except Daniel. The Courier saw the crippled Joe Cobb, slowly trying to limp away. He gave a devilish grin, and sprinted to the wounded convict. Fear filled Cobb's eyes, as he watched the Courier raised his knife ready for a killing blow. He closed his eyes, waiting for the knife, but it never came, a dark purple glow held back the Courier's arm. Twilight held back the Courier's arm with what little magic she could muster. Whatever happened to her, her magic was also affected. He struggled to break free. Joe slowed his breathing and turned to run away. He sighed and dropped his stance. He looked at Twilight, his face a mix of confusion and anger. He stormed towards her. "What the hell!?" Was all Daniel could ask. "You know he's gonna come back with more, we could have ended this!" Twilight held her ground. "He knew that he lost, he won't be coming back." She said and glared back at the Courier. "Did you ever think that he had a family or friends that cared about him?" "Did he think about that when he attacked Ringo'scaravan! His 'friends' killed off honest to god merchant and traders, they had no quarrel with them yet he killed them for money!" Daniel yelled, and sighed. "You know what I hate the most? Scum that think killing is easy, he never thought of the consequence of killing those people and now he paid the price." He picked up his bag filled with loot from the dead bodies. "I'm going to Primm, feel free to follow." He said and turned away. She was anger, furious even, but Daniel had a point. She remembered her brother, Shining Armor, it was after a large fight with Griffon terrorist, he was comatose for months, she read the report. They killed off the terrorist, but let a young Griffon free. That last Griffon got a fighting force and counter-attacked, leaving three guards dead and her brother severely injured. "Wait!" She called out to Daniel. He didn't turn around or stop, he just kept walking at a brisk pace. "I don't think your right, but you do have a point." She said. The Courier still didn't pay any attention. "You can follow me," The Courier said, he was still walking. "but I have a question." He stopped and turned around. "Why?" It was a simple question, but one without an answer. "I don't-" "'Cause from where I'm standing, we're just two strangers that only known each other for a day. I'm going to find the guy that shot me in the head and left me for dead. What are you gonna do?" He asked. "Don't say 'I don't know' because it's gonna be dangerous, and I don't want a dead body on my hands, I think you should head back and stay in Goodsprings, maybe go with Ringo to Crimson Caravan." He suggested, his eyes locked on to Twilight's. She was silent. "You remind me of a friend... She would go through Tartarus for me and any other of my friends, and I'm gonna find a way back to them, and I can't do it sitting around in Goodsprings." She replied. "So, just because I remind you of someone, you’re going follow me? You are a crazy lady." He said and turned to walk. "You can tag along, but I have you have some earplugs 'cause I sing when I'm traveling." He said with a small smile. Twilight gave a small smile. "Don't worry, I'm used to breaking out into song from time to time." The two saw a large robot rolling down the road, a smiling cowboy face was displayed on his screen. "Well, Butter my muffin and call me Ditzy, it's you. Didn't think you'd be up and running so soon." The robot said. "Now where are my manners, my name's Victor, saved your skin from Fancy pants and those Great Khan types." Victor said. "Fancy pants?" Twilight asked. "And what... are you?" "I think they called him Benny or something. Anyway, what are you doing up, it's only been a few hours." The robot said. "I'm a Mk II Securitron made by the Mr. House himself." "A few hours? It's been a full day." Daniel said, he walked over to the robot and examined him. There were several scratches and dents on the robot, and signs that he was recently tampered with. "Huh, must ‘a been on sleep mode or something." The robot said. "Anyway, I'm heading back to Goodsprings, pack a few things and head on out. Happy trails, partner." He said and made his way back to the town. ------------------------------ Cottonwood Cove, 9:00 AM ------------------------------ A tall dark haired man was dragged along with a few other slaves, his tattered clothes covered his dark green eyes. The legion had been merciless, brutal abuse and torture, but kept alive to do more work. He liked them, he was reminded of himself, but he wanted to be on the other side of the whip and cage. He played for a weakling long enough, his chains melted with dark magic, he forced two Legionaries up in a magical chokehold. The man laughed. "Pathetic." He said and launched his captors towards other Legionaries. The other slaves were terrified, but they cheered the man on. More of the Legion came in droves, the entire camp was on full alert. "Pfff... Child's play." He said and made a wall of dark fire that blocked the Legion's advance. He melted away the chains of the other slaves and lowered his hood. His eyes glowed with a sinister purple, his hair was ragged and messy, but he still held a form of Royalty. He turned to the crowd, still terrified, but with renewed hope. He grinned, he could use that hope. "Glory to me!Glory to King Sombra!" He yelled towards the crowd. The crowd was reluctant at first, but slowly began chanting his name. "King Sombra! King Sombra! King Sombra!" King Sombra smiled. The wall of flame fell and all the Legionnaires on the other side were quickly stripped of their weapons. The weapons floated towards the slaves. They grabbed the guns and spears and other weapons and stared at their weaponless captors. "It is their turn to be the slaves! Seize them! Keep them alive!" Sombra yelled to his new following. "This is the rise of the Dark Crystal!" The people cheered. "Hail to King Sombra!" "Hail to the King!" "Hail!" "Glory to the King!" "This is going to be easier than I thought." King Sombra muttered to himself. He turned back to the crowd. "Let them wear the clothes of the slave and we shall teach them as such." The people cheered. ------------------------------ Cottonwood Cove, 4:00 PM ------------------------------ In a matter of hours, the small band of slaves turned into a group of merciless slavers. Thanks to their new King. The torture was more painful, more frequent, and much safer. Leaving the Legionaries bloody, battered, but full of energy to be forced to work. King Sombra found the armor of Aurelius of Phoenix, the ex-leader of the encampment, he removed the gold platetings and remade it into his own armor. The armor gave off a purple glow, a dark coating covered the arms of the armor, a dark red cape came over to him, he snapped it on. NCR troopers came to investigate, King Sombra decided to play it safe and welcome the troopers with open arms, as much as he resented it. "Welcome." King Sombra said with a fake toothy smile. "You must be the NCR I've been hearing about. The Legion had a certain... hatred about your type." "Hello, I'm Cpl.Cole, and this is my partner, Pvt.Dunn, and I'm going to be as blunt about this as possible, what the hell happened?" Cole said, easing his grip on his Service Rifle. Pvt.Dunn didn't ease up, and keep his finger on the trigger. "We fought back, and won." Sombra said bluntly. "They were fairly easy prey." "We can see that." Pvt.Dunn said as he saw the Aurelius of Phoenix being dragged off. "We want to know how you did it." "Ah, yes. Let's talk privately, follow me." Sombra said and walked towards the ex-Legion HQ. The two troopers slowed their pace. "I don't trust this guy." Pvt. Dunn whispered. "We're just here to do some recon, maybe we can get this guy to work with us." Cpl.Cole replied. The trio went inside the HQ. Several machines sparked and buzzed, recently broken. In the middle of the room was a small table with a map and a knife stabbed on Camp McCarran. Pvt.Dunn was the first one who spoke up. "So, how'd you do it?" "Ah, straight to the point."Sombra laughed. "Let me show you." King Sombra flexed his arms and slammed the two troopers to the wall. They dropped their guns with a clank on the floor. "What the hell?!"Cpl.Cole managed to wheeze. "I really hate doing this, it gives me a headache, but I need your services and maybe some information." King Sombra grinned and placed his hands on the two troopers. The troopers tried to scream, but all that came out were gurgles and foaming on the mouth. Memories flashed through their minds, everything that ever happened to the two. "Rise."Sombra said and removed his hands. "This feels different. I could only do this one at a time, the benefits of having 'hands' I guess." The two troopers picked up their rifles and stood up. Their eyes were devoid of life, almost as if they were already dead. "Your bidding, my king." They said in unison. Pvt.Dunn stuttered. "S-screw y-you." Sobra was caught by surprise as the soldier tried to aim his gun. "Down."Sobra said and Pvt.Dunn lowered his weapon. "Hmm... I must be weaker than I thought." He placed his right hand on Pvt.Dunn's head. After a few minutes of silence, Sombra smiled in contentment. "There, that should do it. I want you two to report to your Commanding Officer. Tell him that everything here is fine." "Yes, my liege." The two said and walked out the door. Sombra rubbed his forehead as the headache and information began to pour in. He then realized something he should have done when he first got to this world. "Did I close the portal? I can't seem to remember. No matter, no unicorn could have entered that portal and lived anyway." With that, he left the room and headed to his new sleeping area to sleep off the headache. Aurelius of Phoenix's screams echoed through the camp. Sombra sighed and laid down on his bed. "What a beautiful noise."