“I dunno! There was like nopony here! Honest! You think I can take a whole town of ponies with my bare hooves and swinging cock?” he retorted.
“What cock?” Scotch murmured scornfully.
“Oh shit! Did that fall off again?” he said as he looked around under him.

oh lawdy lawdy that is too much, heheh.
#GhoulProblems

Man what a chapter this was... shit lotta shit, good and bad Dx

Awesome job man, awesome job!
ONLY ONE MORE!
Then... other things.

The lead was more little more than irritating to the mare it hit,

Extra "more".

Sanguine should go through a meat grinder... slowly.
But not before he gets to watch his revived family go through it first.

he tore out the Delta out,

he tore out the Delta ?

Blackjack, you idjit. But an admirable idjit.

Damned Sanguine, what now?

I love this song. It's helped define how I view PH and especially where I expected Blackjack's personal story to end for years. It definitely deserves a link.

And wow, you're redoing the levels/footnotes? Interesting move. I like that it gives more perk opportunities, since those are some nice flavor. Don't think I buy her as a low level character at this point, though. But that'll pass.

Okay I just now started the chapter but I want to comment this now. The reference to pinkie and the brain was gold!

My feels! That ending! My feels hurt so hard..!

“I found a boat.”

I remember this scene hitting harder the first time I read it, but it still packs quite a punch.

I.... I just.... I can't do this! i need a break!

THE FELZ

Damnit, your plot armor melted, Priest. I really liked you, you sonnuva bitch.

Well, Sanguine's ranting pretty much confirm there is far more to the electrical abomination and the Goldenblood apparition than meets the eye.

6674802 orig03.deviantart.net/9147/f/2012/041/1/4/good_ol_hoofington_by_mistermech-d4pbi71.jpg

All that feels at the end!!

R.I.P Priest and Dusty Trails!

And in one chapter, Sanguine has gone from "kinda shady bad guy" to "it's personal now, I need him fucking dead".

I knew getting involved with P-21 was gonna be a death sentence for Priest. I called it so hard. At least I have a valid reason to hate you now. :V

Hey, Scotch. Are you pondering what I’m pondering?”

Scotch blinked at the hoofcar and then at the scrubland around us. “I think so, P-21, but where are we going to find a dozen rockets out here?” P-21 looked back at her flatly. “What?” the filly said defensively.

Okay, while otherwise a sad chapter, that right there made my day.

Ok so I've been binging this story. SO many references and one liners, but this one made me spit out my breakfast.

“Hey, Scotch. Are you pondering what I’m pondering?”
Scotch blinked at the hoofcar and then at the scrubland around us. “I think so, P-21, but where are we going to find a dozen rockets out here?” P-21 looked back at her flatly. “What?” the filly said defensively.

Shut up and take my money! Blast from the childhood right there!

Congrats Somber. Ya got me wanting to cry like I did during a certain ponies funeral in FoE. Only reason I didn't, I walked away and took some time before continue. You honestly are a fantastic author and I thank you with all my heart and soul for making this story. Now if you'll please excuse me, I'm gonna go cry now.

...they should rename that place Final Destination.
I still can't believe Sanguine got away...with what he wanted.

Too bad his entire plan is literally going to blow up in his face after Pip lights the fuse under Trixie.

But now I'm more that robot underground...

“What is pony thinking? Pony runs out and blowing everything up!” Rover snorted. “Why does everything explode around pony?”

Because everything she touches turns into Explodium.

Another tearful funeral.
'Hoofington rises' It awoke...it wants the keys, so that it may be free!
But...if all it took to awaken it was a megaspell gun shot...why didn't it wake when the world was blown up?
Was it like..."Ahahah I awake after all this time, and now I wil-huh...who built this magical super fortress on me? Hello? Anyone out there?! *banging noises* Can someone let me out? ... Well balls...everyone's dead. I'm going to be stuck in here forever! *eventually crying self to sleep.* Zzzzz."

Blackjacks cutie mark should be a bleeding heart with a bullet hole in it. I mean, it's like a literal, and non-literal representation of who she is.

Lacunae landed neatly atop the hulk and thought simply, “I found a boat.”

Never change Lacunae.

I chewed through another mouthful of gems, then looked at one of the face-down cards on the table in front of me and stared. I tried to imagine the magic reaching out. Try to imagine it like a wind brushing against it, the book had said, like blowing on it without using your lungs. I closed my eyes, trying to focus even though my temples throbbed and my useless stub of a horn ached. I tried imagining blowing the card over. I felt the faintest magic buzz and tingle in my horn. Then I chanced a look down.

somehow that made me think of this comic strip:
https://tritebristle.deviantart.com/art/Heartstrings-ch2-p13-Use-da-magics-Lyra-327179897

“My turn,”

best line ever

“I found a boat.

second best line ever

8087320
Charity is arguably more important than ec 1101.
Since blackjack is pretty sure she is a likely candidate for being the element of generosity.
So that is actually a good deal, additionally its implied the program might not work right for unauthorized users.

Footnote: Level 3 reached

All of this shit and she's only level THREE?! Are we working on a 1-5 scale here or what? Cause if there are still 43 levels to go for then she's going to transcend reality.

9960937
She started a new game+ after she died and was brought back

Damn it with the hard stuff. We get another ppl killed. At least we have a full mane 6 set right?

i just had an epiphany, i was in the shower and thinking bout stuff and then i realized. in the game blackjack you try to get the numerical value of 21. and blackjacks first companion was a particular stallion with 21 in his name, and i think that's pretty funny

Noooo!!! Not priest!!😭😭

Chapter 36: Victims

I don’t like this title.

And technically, we are within the old Equestrian territorial province of Hoofington.
Rampage muttered as we passed a rusted switching station with a sign that read ‘Hoofington, twenty-two miles.’

This was unexpected. Looks like they have a long walk ahead. Besides, I think we need some comedy right now. Something tells me, bad stuff is about to happen.

“Hey, Scotch. Are you pondering what I'm pondering?”
Scotch blinked at the hoofcar and then at the scrubland around us. “I think so, P-21, but where are we going to find a dozen rockets out here?” P-21 looked back at her flatly. “What?” the filly said defensively.

It sweet seeing him finally open up towards Scotch. Notably all this began on the Seahorse when he first called her his daughter. Might have been the fact that she almost had been raped and/or killed that made him finally care about her.

“I thought you said you weren’t going to turn this into a regular thing!” I protested as I tugged against the harness and received another smack from the reins.

They are jerks, but Blackjack is to one who no longer gets tried. Makes sense that she’s the draft horse, now.

Twice as big -- no, ten times as big! -- as Big Macintosh! His bright blue hide dripped with sweat as he walked along on hooves almost as big as my entire body!

Hey I think we found Troubleshoe's descendant.

She scowled at Glory. “T’aint none o’ yer beeswax, that’s what happened!”

Is that an accent or a broken jaw?

I sighed. “I’m probably going to regret this, but no. They didn’t attack us, and I really don’t want to know what Goliath can do in a fight. Let’s get home. I want to find out just what’s going on there.” I lowered my head. “Let’s see if I can’t get a little more speed out of these things!” I yelled as I started to run instead of walk. The sooner I got back, the better.

Can’t wait for them to show up again in five, ten or fifteen chapters and play a really important role in the story.

Since I had a lot of complains about the last chapter it’s about time I’m going to say something positive: The side and minor characters in this story aren’t just staffage, they have history. It’s amazing how much personality Somber gave most of them.

Looking up to the north, I could see the Roosehoof Academy; it was smoldering, and the reinforced buildings were now streaked and blackened with soot.

As soon as the group is back in the Hoofington area comedy time is over and we’re back to cruelty and suffering.

Expert merc band hit Megamart hard. I mean hard. Then they scragged the group at the Fluttershy clinic. Then Stockyard, marched the whole village into a radioactive hole and just waited for ‘em to die. Cold… man… cold.

Fuck, that’s a real punch into the guts.

I always referred Stockyard as Blackjack’s only complete victory. The one time she helped everyone and everything turned out better for everypony involved.

And now everyone in the town was brutality killed by Sanguine.

Project Horizons really knows how to make you feel miserable.

She seemed to be asking how I could pardon those four but be so ready to smash some ghoul into paint. I had to admit, it bothered me too. Why was I so angry at him?

Excatly. The guy is just a scavenger. Hardly something I would consider evil by Wasteland standards.

I’d missed the letters painted six feet tall in a maroon paint that wasn’t paint.
‘SECURITY’.

Someone leaving a message.

There was a horrible moment of silence, then the grinding of machinery and the terrified sniffling and sobbing of ponies. “Do it.”
Psychoshy’s voice broke in. “Sanguine… You can’t be serious. Stockyard was fucked up enough!”
“Throw ‘em in! Now!” he snarled. “All of them. Save her for last!”

Sanguine is done being patient. He deliberately attacked them because of Blackjack and made sure they would die a slow and painful death. Making even Notshy uncomfortable. The guy is a lot more evil than I expected.

She gave a weak little smile. “He stopped the feeder when I was halfway through the jaws.” I looked down at her hips. “Cast… cast some healing magic on me. Made sure I survived,” she said, and I reached out and held her. She was burning up with fever. “Told me… give you a message. Told me yesterday… if I hung on… you might kill him. Fucking… bastard…” She coughed. “He was right…I hung on… knew you’d come. Knew… Glory would… save you…”

Suddenly this guy who didn’t really do that much, established himself as worse than Deus.

“I’m sorry…” I murmured as I hung my head. “I... I wish I could. After everything… everything I’ve been through… I still can’t grant you that…”

You are one weird pony Blackjack. You can kill dozens without breaking a sweat but mercy killing a pony that’s asking you for it, is too much? There's a difference between executing somepony and granting a dying pony as less painful death. Maybe one day you'll learn the difference.

“On yer way out, there’s this button…” she said, her voice growing softer as more of the potent painkiller entered her system. “Red… key is in my hat…” She sighed. “Was gonna use it… but… got stunned before I could.”

Wow, we’re actually going to find out what the red button does.

“If you say the words ‘my fault’, I will hit you again,” he said sharply, then gritted his teeth and spoke slowly, his voice tense. “This wasn’t your fault. None of this. You didn’t know this was going to happen.” He stared down at me. “And if you start with that ‘I’m scum’ or ‘I fucked up’ or anything, I will beat it out of you!”

And that’s why P-21 is my favorite character. Sure the beating was him going to be far, but it’s about time somepony finally told her that.

Should I push it slowly and deliberately? Mash it with enthusiasm? A rear hoof jump push? It wasn’t every day a girl got to push a button rigged to a bunch of explosives.

“Sanguine massacred most of the miners I liberated and put the survivors through the rock crusher. I feel really horrible. This is all my fault and… Oh shiny red button! This is going to be fun!”

I know the story doesn’t want to be dark and gloomy all the time. But sometimes it makes no sense to have such goofy stuff right after a gruesome scene. Blackjack slipping on a banana peel is funny. Blackjack slipping on a banana peel just after having gassed her whole Stable isn’t.

“You sure are one twigged mare,” the Dealer murmured. I glanced over my shoulder at him. “You have a friend die in your hooves, and now you’re giddy with glee at pushing a button while soaked in the blood of murdered ponies.”

See, even the Dealer aggress.

“He’s going to Chapel, P-21! After Flank, he’s going to Chapel!”

I have a feeling that I’m going to say that a lot but… Oh Fuck!

Listen Rover, you need to get to Riverside and your people. Sanguine’s hitting every place I stopped since leaving Stable 99.

Okay what other settlements are left? I don’t think the could take one the Reapers or the Enclave. So, these places should be safe. Miramar, Fallen Arc and the HMS Celestia have been evacuated. This leaves Flotsam and the Colligate. Maybe Tenpony, too, if he wants to go that far up north.

Still, her next three shots bit through my barding, barely slowing. Her pupils were tiny points in her pink eyes, and she was on top of me before I could recover. The mare was smaller than me, but her hooves slammed into me with more force than I’d thought possible.

Probably a new, proud member of Flank’s Security force, who’s strategy to survive was to take as many chems possibly.

She rolled, tried to rise, and failed, but two more ponies raced to their fallen ally and jabbed her with hypodermics. In an instant, she was back on her hooves again. I aimed some suppressive fire at the three and they took cover... at least for the moment.

Sanguine, Goldenblood, the Minstery Mares... they all had it wrong. You don't need fancy science stuff to make super soldiers.
Just inject a bunch of drugs into a pony and you have an unstoppable killing machine.

They were all coming out of Mixers. I had no idea where P-21 was in all this, but I hoped he could hear me. “P-21! Kill the robot in the club!” I had a distinct worry that this was what ‘everything’ did to a mare.

I have now idea how that would work or how Blackjack knows this.

Also calling it now: The DJs in the club are either death or worse. Because they were described at the only ponies sad to see Blackjack and Co. leave. That means they are the perfect victims to make the readers feel even sader.

“I suppose that after three Prices, I shouldn’t be surprised by what you can eat,” said a familiar voice. Caprice didn’t look well. Some of her softness had worn thin, and her quiet humor was now silent worry.

Thanks god Caprice and the doc survived as well as a lot of other Flank ponies. After Brimstone Falls I really to see a place Sanguine hadn’t completely fucked over.

“And if you’d just given Sanguine what he wanted weeks ago, then hundreds of ponies would still be alive,” Citrine retorted with a sweep of her hoof. “I heard the DJ talking about you. Your noble sacrifices for other ponies. Well, how many ponies have died because you’ve hung on to whatever he wants? Hundreds? Or are you up to thousands now?”

Hey, a pony that told Blackjack exactly what she wanted to hear. Her reaction to this should be interesting.

“That might be true. All I know is that I lost a mother when Deus came for you, a brother when the Halfhearts fought the Rangers, and a little sister when…” She stopped and looked at the burning Rooms building before sniffing. “And, sorry… any one of them was worth a thousand keys to Equestria.” With that, she turned and walked to join the mares watching Rooms burn.

I can see her point, but that doesn’t change the fact it’s wrong to blame Blackjack for this. Sanguine was the one who went on a killing spree.

“No. They’re followers of the Prophet,” Caprice replied with clear distaste. “Bunch of wackos thinking they’re going to find some sort of paradise in the Core.”
“Do they? I think I’ll go have a chat with them,”

Please don’t. I know this story! This will somehow backfire! Horribly!
“I’m just going to talk!” I snorted. “I don’t make enemies with every group of ponies I cross in the Hoof.”
“Fallen Arch?” Rampage said with a small roll of her eyes, “The Flashers. Burners. Technically the Reapers, too, though that’s our typical audition.”
“You certainly didn’t make a good impression with Enclave Intelligence when you ran across them,” Glory pointed out.
“And you nearly speared Triage through the throat after she saved you at the Collegiate,” P-21 added.
“I think it would be better if I did not add how the Goddess feels about you,” Lacunae murmured.

By the end of the story Blackjack will have accidentally managed to unite all the warring faction in the Hoof, because everpony realized that they all hate Blackjack so much more than each other.

“Blackjack, she didn’t have to be raped. They worked you over for an hour, and she heard it all. I think the only stallion she can be around at the moment is P-21.” Rampage looked back at where Scotch, Glory, and Lacunae were fixing the wagon. “Pretty sure she wets the bed.”

Damn Scotch is really good at hiding her issue. Even better than P-21. At least with him you can tell that something is bothering him when he’s more bitchy than usual. But Scotch? Not a single hint that something was wrong.

When I was pried out of the wreckage at Miramare, I was a blank slate. I was also a hole. The ghouls who kept me pimped my ass out to every stallion with a twitchy ball sack.

Didn’t expect that this would be brought up again. Should’ve known better by now.

So, if you ever wonder if your story is as a dark as PH just ask yourself one question: How many of my main characters have been raped. If the answer is “Less than three” Congratulations, your story is probably not as dark as PH.

I heard from P-21 and Glory. You were a glazed donut by her account.

That’s a… interesting way to describe what happened.

My fingers found a brand new function as they locked on her throat and squeezed with every bit of force I could muster. She’d never ever hurt me again. Never. I’d tear her head off before I let her! I squeezed harder, feeling the cartilage give and listening to it crackle...

That escalated quickly.

“You didn’t do anything that any mare or stallion who’s been put through what we have wouldn’t do.” Slowly, she rose to her hooves and shook herself. “You have a nasty tendency to repress stuff. So do I. So does P-21. But you need to know those landmines are there now, because otherwise somepony is going to come along and step on them, and it’s going to be ugly.”

Fair warning: In this part I’m talking about some very uncomfortable stuff. If you don’t want to deal with this, I recommend you skip to the next part.

Did anyone who pre-read this actually realized the implications of this? The story is telling us that people who have been raped are dangerous. That they are prone to violent outbursts and if you just happen to be the same gender as their rapist you must be extra careful around them, because if you trigger them, they may kill you in a fit of rage. Best to lock them all up, before they hurt themselves or someone else.

Blackjack, Rampage and P-21 are no longer ponies who went through something horrible and need help. Being raped has turned them into violent, dangerous people and they constantly have to restrain themselves before they do anything they may regret.

This is bad. Really bad. I get that’s wasn’t the intention of this part but that’s how it comes across.

Look I still like P-21 and think the story did an incredibly good job at portraying his trauma. However, people (and ponies, I guess) aren’t the same. * Not everyone reacts to a traumatic experience the same way. Yet in this story, we have three main characters who all responded the same way: With violent outbursts. And this , to put it mildly, is problematic.

(*Okay, I’m no psychologist so maybe I’m wrong. But if people were that predictable I would assume therapy would be a lot easier.)

The sad part about this is, that the last chapter had a great opportunity to show us Blackjack’s trauma in a different way. Homage being Homage (aka the only mare to match Blackjack in horniness) could have flirted with Blackjack and strongly suggesting the foursome. Maybe encouraged by Glory. And instead of Blackjack being all eager, this would have made her feel very uncomfortable. Much to her own frustration/confusion. Maybe it could’ve even led to her having a panic attack.

Sure, we wouldn’t have gotten the hawt lesbian fanservice foursome with the main character of Fallout: Equestria but if I want to read something like that, there’s probably a clopfic out there that got me covered.

“She was hurt, and you knew it. And you know hurt, Blackjack. But there’s a difference between hurt and right. Her pain didn’t make her right. If pain were all it took to be right, then every half-baked raider in the Wasteland would be right in doing whatever they wanted. We’re all victims, Blackjack. The only difference is what we do with our hurt.”

This on the other hand, is some really great wisdom from Rampage. As I said earlier, Deus went through a lot of bad and a horrible stuff. But in the end, it was him who decided to be a monster and not somepony else. Pain is no excuse.

“The faithful have come to this city of wonders to be saved from the horrors of the Wasteland. Soon, the doors shall open, and we will return to a world of plenty and paradise.” He immediately reached over and scooped up a box of Sugar Apple Bombs. “Please accept this blessing of plenty from the Hoof.”

Great someone is forming cult. Either turning them into an army of loyal fanatics or sacrificing them for some sinister purpose.

“This box is new,” I said softly. Rampage frowned and leaned towards it. “No fading. No dust. No warping. And the cereal inside tastes new too.”

The mystery of the respawning items continues.

One last moment. You two seem formidable. There is a mare that has something we desire greatly. She is the murderess called Security. She wears a black device on her left hoof. If you find this mare… if you bring us what she wears, we will provide you with riches beyond compare.

These guys aren’t the sharpest tools in the shed. The know about Security but have no idea how she looks?

I shook my head hard. Killing a stallion just to make my life easier? That wasn’t me. Yet as I glanced back, that one ugly voice in my head told me I should do it anyway, just to be safe. Just in case. One less pony after my head, one step farther from that dream...

In this case, I actually agree with her. No need to spill blood if it can’t be avoided and these ponies don’t look like they’re about to do go murdering and raping some innocents. They are more misguided than evil. Yet.

She finally went limp, sobbing as she hid her face in her hooves. “I know… but he’s all I have. Nopony else is going to save him. So I have to,” she sobbed brokenly as she lay there in the mud.

That’s admirable. She’s willing to go to Blackjack and beg her to give up the EC-1101 to save Sanguine. Says a lot about how much she cares for him.

But I never imagined having a pony beg for the life of such a creature.

Well even bad people have family and loved ones. Doesn’t justify their actions or makes what they did less bad.

Could forgiving Sanguine actually be… better?

No.

Guys who throw ponies in rock crushers or murdering others simple because someone they hate walked past them don’t deserve a second chance. Unless they are truly remorseful and want to spend the rest of their lives making amends. Or if they are being mind controlled/forced into doing it.
Something tells me Sanguine is neither of these two.

You just can’t kill a pony in cold blood, can you?

Just get her drunk enough. Ask the bounty hunters in the museum.

“I’m sorry Psychoshy. I can’t make any promises to spare him. Not after what he’s done. Especially after Brimstone’s Fall and what he did to Dusty. I’m sorry.”

Good to see Blackjack isn’t completely naïve.

Then there was a shimmer, and an olive filly appeared at the corner of the building. She gave a perfect warm smile and gestured for the dragonpony to come closer. The suspicious filly stepped towards the corner, and my heart was in my chest as I watched. I had the bit in my teeth... but then the pair disappeared around the corner with no sign of violence. Slowly I let out my breath. One cap down…

The begin of a beautiful friendship.

“We didn’t shoot her in the gut, if that’s what you mean,” I replied.
Sanguine had the audacity to look relieved at that! “Yes. Good. Well, lose the weapons, and I will heal her.”

This would actually a good bargain chip. Sanguine has the Crusaders, but Blackjack has Notshy. If there’s one pony whose life he values more than his, it’s probably her. So how about offering a hostage exchange?

“Don’t count on that, asshole,” Charity hissed despite her agony. “Blackjack owes me a ton of caps. She doesn’t have to pay if I’m dead.”

That such a Charity thing to say.

“You left me no other choice!” he snapped. “I tried force. I tried bribery. I tried letting Fluttershy fight you for it. I even offered to restore your body to normal. In the names of sweet Celestia and Luna, why the fuck didn’t you just give it up?” he yelled in complete exasperation. “I have been forced to cartoonish levels of monsterdom simply to get what I need!”

Right, blame others for your actions. Cleary it's Blackjack's fault that you had to put the ponies into the rock crusher, not you being a morally corrupt asshole with a disregard for the lives of others.

He just jerked and spasmed and then collapsed. I stared in horror at Priest’s boiled, melted face…

RIP Priest. You died like a hero.

“Well... look at it this way... you give up the program, you can always take it back. You know a way to bring her back if she dies?” he said with a smile.

Again, Dealer turns out to be incredible smart and helpful for a skeletal ghost horse with a card fetish.

He nodded and pulled away. Glory trotted closer to him and gave a tiny smile. She wanted to help; she knew what it was like, too. And she touched P-21’s shoulder. For the longest time he sat there, and then he slowly turned into her embrace as well.

Despite all the sadness and death, it’s great to see that they are there for each other.

The cloth fell away, and I looked at the startling figurine: a white unicorn mare with a stunning purple mane and three gems for a cutie mark. I stared at her in shock and then looked down at the little plaque at the base.

Charity had a Rarity figurine. This feels very fitting. I think she really could’ve been a potential bearer of the Element of Generosity.

Blackjack’s On-screen Body Count: Still156

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most of the stuff after Stable 99 was basically one huge side quest about Blackjack stopping the Reaper-Brotherhood war. Followed by a crossover episode where Blackjack metLittlepip. Now we’re back with the main quest and the story drops another bomb on the readers. Brimestone Falls really hit hard. Probably because unlike Stable 99 I didn’t know it would happen.

And Sanguine went from a minor nuisance to a genuine threat that must be stopped. He even outmatches Deus in cruelty. I wonder if this is going to be a new trend. Each main villain being worse than the previous one. So watch out for the next guy to wear cloths made out of baby scalps.

Lots of good ponies died pointless and cruel deaths, including some likeable side characters like Priest and Sanguine got exactly what he wanted. This is a new low point for the group. Hopefully we actually them going straight after Sanguine in the next chapters, instead of being side-tracked by something else and the Readers have to wait 20 more chapters before the story goes back to stopping that Ghoul.

Finally, this was the end of Priest’s journey. Great character and I really liked that he went out by saving the life of one of his Crusaders. It was a true heroic sacrifice. And while I’m not sure if he was still able to understand Blackjack’s word, like her, I hope he did. Farewell!

Edit: Almost forgot the most important part. Not as much self-loathing Blackjack as in the previous one. That’s a huge improvement. Sadly, I’m expecting this not to last very long.

Blackjack be out here giving the worst possible people second chances. I didn't even feel sad when Priest died because I was busy fuming over her letting Flutterbitch live. ffs!

Then there was a resounding clang, and fragments of wet, rusty metal flew past me as a dark hulk landed atop the sniper. It rocked twice, and I gaped at the rusty keel. Lacunae landed neatly atop the hulk and thought simply, “I found a boat.”

I really did laugh out loud here. Man Lacunae is great

Holy fuck Blackjack actually gave the file to him. I mean I'm glad she followed what the reaper pony advised her to do because he seems to be always right. But I really expected Blackjack to just someone kill Sanguine and save Charity

How am I not even halfway through??????

“I dunno! There was like nopony here! Honest! You think I can take a whole town of ponies with my bare hooves and swinging cock?” he retorted.

“What cock?” Scotch murmured scornfully.

“Oh shit! Did that fall off again?” he said as he looked around under him.

“Um… Hoofington Rises and shit…”

I turned and glared right at him. “What did you just say?”

Psychoshy’s voice broke in. “Sanguine… You can’t be serious. Stockyard was fucked up enough!”

Psychoshy getting freaked out by this is a REAL BAD sign.

He’d put them all through the crusher.

Ok, we had our fun for two chapters. Playtime is over.

She slowly curled forward, pressing her face into my metallic limbs. Then she let out her breath in one slow rasp. Her blue bar disappeared from my E.F.S.

RIP Dusty Trails

“He’s going to Chapel, P-21! After Flank, he’s going to Chapel!”

…

I smiled a tiny bit, then looked down at Psychoshy. “I’m sorry Psychoshy. I can’t make any promises to spare him. Not after what he’s done. Especially after Brimstone’s Fall and what he did to Dusty. I’m sorry.”

Wonders never cease! She can learn!

“No.” I wasn’t going to have another Fallen Arch. Not here. “First, P-21 and I are going to go down there and get a good look at the place. I do not want a bloodbath.” I dug into my bags and took out the first of the tricks I’d purchased in Flank: a brand new StealthBuck. “Sit tight. We’ll be back soon.”

She is still learning!

Unfortunately, turning her gun on the griffin meant that Glory had given an opening to Brass. Like a thunderbolt, she launched herself out the double doors of the post office and into the sky. “Fuck this!” she screamed as she dove, scooped the unconscious Fury in her hooves… claws?... and started climbing, flying north as fast as her scorched wings could carry her.

Amazing. She scouted the enemy position, devised a plan, and absolutely kicked some flank.

I couldn’t tell for sure, but I hoped his boiled lips curled a little. His chest rose… fell… rose… fell… rose… fell… and then that was it. Priest was off on his own final pilgrimage. I hoped he’d find his way.

RIP Priest. He died a hero. Sanguine has EC-1101 now, but at least everypony is on the same page that the number one priority has to be tracking this bastard down and recovering it.

I’m immensely relieved that at least the Crusaders all made it out alive. But Somber, I have my eye on you! Don’t think I’m not ready for this to be a fakeout before something terrible happens to them later!

Yes to those who still love me, please don’t weep and wail

I’ll be waiting for you when you’re through at the end of the trail

Would buy the soundtrack to this book, damn!

Be Unwavering

Of course the last figurine she’s going to find is the one keyed to intelligence. Of course!

For fuck sake just kill this cunt already!

The comments on the previous chapter said that it was the last calm chapter in this sea of ​​despair that is to come, I just want to know if the ending is going to be as fucked up as I think it will be, or if there really is hope for Hoofington

“She was hurt, and you knew it. And you know hurt, Blackjack. But there’s a difference between hurt and right. Her pain didn’t make her right. If pain were all it took to be right, then every half-baked raider in the Wasteland would be right in doing whatever they wanted. We’re all victims, Blackjack. The only difference is what we do with our hurt.” She nudged my rump with her own. “That’ll be fifty caps for one three minute Wasteland therapy session.”

Truer words have never been said before.

When Rampage says she "was a blank slate" in the Victims chapter, is she saying she was innocent, and had all her recent memories? Or was the damage to her brain making her mentally slow with no memory? The latter I always thought of, but the former makes it way more tragic.

I know Preist took some memories away, but surely not all of her childhood?

Okay, i can understand why blackjack hadn't killed him when they were on the bridge. She has her stupid policy when she traded more than 500 ponies for her pipbuck. (And couldn't give one more to end all of this, though. Really, what the fuck, I want to smash her across her face so bad. Agh.. The ways Somber tries to justify all of this bullshit...)
But why the fuck did she just stay in chapel instead of running for sanguine after saving Chatiry? He's the fuckin old ghoul and she's a CYBERPONY who can run all across the Hoof five times with no problem!
You serious, you couldn't come up with some more sensible way to justify Sanguine's victory?
I like this book. But sometimes it's too hard to read and stop myself from screaming.