//------------------------------// // Legends Live On // Story: Fallout Equestria : Dead Mare's Hand // by PBY_Jacko115 //------------------------------// "Alright kiddos, that's enough for today. We'll pick up on Uncle Gears story later. I am beat." The fillies and colts surrounding the greying buck whined and stomped their hooves on the ground, their thirst for the end unsatisfied. The stallion gave a weary chuckle as he gazed upon the crowd with worn eyes. "Now, I said later. Not tomorrow, later. Y'all need to learn the difference when it comes to that." Some of them seemed to accept the fact, but the others still sulked. Slowly arising from his chair, the stallion moved past the foals and into the kitchen, heading straight for the ancient fridge. "They really seem to like Gear's autobiography Rusty. Maybe we should go visit him and tell him that." Even though the years took it's toll on the angelic voice, it sounded like the most heavenly thing to Rusty. He turned around with a Sparkle-Cola in his mouth, barely holding onto it as he smiled slightly. He set it down on the counter top and replied, "Sure thing Rose. I'm just hoping that the NLR will let us this time. Those assho-" "Rusty!" "Dinguses seem to have a stick so far shoved up where the sun don't shine, they won't even let family visit. Sorry Rose, they just." Rusty sighed as the mare moved closer and put a hoof on his neck. "It's okay," Rose said softly, "We were all saddened by his death. Nobody could've seen it coming, not even the doctors. Stress caught up to him and he couldn't bare to live without her anymore. It's better for him this way." Rusty stared blankly as he let memories flood him, Rose soothing him with her hoof. She moved him to a nearby table and left him there, leaving for the reading room. She stood in the doorway until one of the older fillies saw her and told them to quiet down. "Sorry kids, but the reading is going to continue tomorrow. Old Man Rusty isn't feeling too good, okay?" Most of the older colts and fillies understood, turning to explain to the youngers that story time would continue tomorrow. Rose smiled slightly and turned back to the kitchen. She saw Rusty still at the table, the only difference being that the Sparkle-Cola was on the table and half-full and the old buck's eyes were a hazy red. Rusty turned to look at Rose and sobbed. He buried his face into his legs even as Rose tried to hug him. Silent sobs filled the house, the painstaking memories of a once great hero now gone. --- "Alright kiddos, on with the story right?" Rusty put on his daily mask of cheerfulness as he pulled the book out from under the chair. He was met with sounds of agreement as they crowded around him. The old buck flipped to the page he left on and began. -- The sun blinded me as I saw light for figurative first time. My eyes adjusted as I looked around. It was small, just a few houses with a schoolhouse, a saloon, a store and a far-off cemetery. My first order of business, check the cemetery. I started my walk, only to be stopped by a massive robot in my way. "Well howdy partner! Might I say, you look fit as a fiddle." The thing had an Appleoosan as it drawled out the words. I stared at it, realizing it had a screen with a young buck's face, a wide smile and a Stetson on top of the head. "Uh, hi?" "Oh, where are my manners! I'm Securipony model Mk. II number 738-B. Though most people just call me Braeburn." Okay, it was official, I didn't like it at all. I was going to speak before it again, cut me off. "Now you're probably wonderin' how you're still alive, well, Ol' Braeburn was takin' a stroll when I heard those pinheads in the cemetery. I decided to lay low until they've gone and then I dug you up!" I blankly stared at it as the face on the monitor flickered. It was no use trying to speak as the damned thing went on about how it took me to Doc's and a bunch of other details I honestly didn't care about. I stopped it briefly and waved it farewell. I couldn't help but feel like someone was drilling holes in the back of my head. I entered the saloon, passing by an armored mare and her dog. Passing into the bar, I saw the bartender and a buck arguing over somepony's whereabouts. When I heard the mention of the town being threatened I just pulled the 9mm out and clenched it in my mouth. I saw the bartenders eyes widen and I quickly put a bullet in the buck's head. I heard shouts of alarm in the lobby and the stallion sitting at the counter just sighed. The bartender looked like she just about had a heart attack and the armored mare from before came bursting through with her gun. She saw the body on the ground and I could've sworn that dog of hers had the best shit-eating grin it could pull. I walked over to the mare and started off the conversation. "So, who the hell was the poor sap I just shot?" "Just some asshole that enforces the Powder Gangers. Anyways, you best be hopin' the Gangers don't come down on the town. They got the manpower and weapons to do so." And with that she just left me to the other room. I sighed and looked at the body. The NLR, some idiots with good notions. I liked them, kind enough, or if you're against them, brutal enough. Especially since their government is completely based off of Luna's old jurisdiction. So, these guys were with formerly with the NLR, my mind pieced together and now they've done gone and turned raider which means I'm going to have to kill them. Celestia be damned, I just woke up from getting shot in the head to!