THE FUN IS NOW STARTING

Wheeeeeeeew, things are getting real up in here! hahaha, nice job man, nice job!

I wish I could say more., but I don't really have much to say, other then I ship BJ and P-21.

Good show!

“Better, but you better not start sparkling or throbbing again. And grabbing is right out!”

What is this, smutty Twilight fanfiction?

Something I noticed.

“You’re Morning Glory, right?” Crumpets asked Glory, and the blue pegasus swapped her amused look at me to a nod at the yellow-brown mare. “I was wondering if we could talk a little. We found some notes on the virus in Blackjack’s bedroom, and I was hoping you might have some advice on making sure the recycler is clean.”
Glory frowned and looked from Crumpets to me. “I… um… I’m not sure this is a good time…”

This was repeated twice in a row.

You’re Morning Glory, right?” Crumpets asked Glory, and the blue pegasus swapped her amused look at me to a nod at the yellow-brown mare. “I was wondering if we could talk a little. We found some notes on the virus in Blackjack’s bedroom, and I was hoping you might have some advice on making sure the recycler is clean.”
Glory frowned and looked from Crumpets to me. “I… um… I’m not sure this is a good time…”
“You’re Morning Glory, right?” Crumpets asked Glory, and the blue pegasus swapped her amused look at me to a nod at the yellow-brown mare. “I was wondering if we could talk a little. We found some notes on the virus in Blackjack’s bedroom, and I was hoping you might have some advice on making sure the recycler is clean.”
Glory frowned and looked from Crumpets to me. “I… um… I’m not sure this is a good time…”

This repeated twice, I swear I thought I was lapsing reading the same paragraph again.

the ones who were attended the Gala,

who were attending the Gala

We elect or mayors and our councilors.

elect our mayors

I nuzzled soft and wonderful pony

nuzzled the soft

Ah the Grand Galloping Gala, aka the Best Night Ever of MLP: Friendship is Magic Season 1 finale. This certainly was the best night ever for Blackjack and company. Stronghoof making a reappearance was unexpected. Ahem excuse me, the best night ever for Queen Blackjack of the Society. I should of saw the regent selection a mile away, but Splendid screwed his chances with saying 'bomb collars' and the like. Damn, hangovers and forgotten memories. A threesome, eh? Oh boy would I want to know all the saucy details on that scene. That ending cliff hanger, oh you're kidding, you're kidding right? The only subjectively bad timing with having read the original Fo:E prior to Project Horizons. The Goddess has every reason to be worried, and I am concerned what will happen to Lacunae but for Queen Whiskey and the Goddess to kill LittlePip? Bwahahahahah

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Personally, my favorite scene along those lines in this arc was the one between Blackjack and Lancer.
And yeah, I thought Vanity had a real shot on the basis of being the one most likely to have a Society still in existence whenever Blackjack is done with the stuff she needs to take care of, but he really did go too far for her, especially with P-21 to remind her of everything. But hey, at least he's held on as an advisor.

The Strongarm family was always one of my favorites.

Lacunae and Stronghoof One of the best ships of the Wasteland.

“It should not be. Your order and my kind are terrible foes. It would reflect badly upon you to show such kindness to me.”

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Vote Boo for a brighter tomorrow!

AGH you're killing me! Having P-21 relapse like he always feared he might, and then cutting away to a new plot thread! I'm so invested in both subplots that I don't know whether to be extremely excited or disappointed.

That ending gave me shudders, and I haven't the clue as to why. :D Well anyway, great chapter, I'm looking forward to reading the next!

I guess I was right and wrong about the regent. Does that count as a third party? What with the idea being three? My newest hunch is something I do not wish for, and that is the demise of Lacunae. Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised and she doesn't die... who knows... well I don't at least.

Is Glory's and Blackjack's relationship over... or is it something else? I was bad and couldn't tell. :'( As long as they still rut I guess it is fine? Also Lacunae and Stronghoof, I ship that! ;)

Well.

Pain Train turned out to be a much more interesting character than I'd anticipated. The whole She's All That sequence, first with Blackjack, then with Rampage, was funny but dumb. :V Glad to hear Silver Spoon and company are doing okay. I realize the whole point of this Gala is to give Blackjack info on what's been going on around the Hoof.

So, I was thinking that this whole Society arc was one chapter too long, specifically last chapter, but then you brought Paladin Stronghoof back, and nothing hurts anymore. :D

That said, crazy tonal whiplash going from his introduction to the survivors. Like, that was a heaping helping of amazing news, yet it was mostly bad. And dear god does "complicated" not even begin to cover Glory and BJ's relationship. >.> At least we finally got some resolution to P-21 mooning over her forever. And Glory wanting to bang him. :B So, Goddess time, huh? What in the absolute fuck.

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The power of tonal whiplash has been passed down the Armstrong line for generations! Observe--as the sobering of our comically larger-than-life characteristics draws attention to when events get serious, or they appear from nowhere to snap a scene that's built too much tension!

:D

BASK IN THE GLORY OF THE SECRET STRONGHOOF TECHNIQUES PASSED DOWN GENERATION TO GENERATION!

On the one hand, all this buildup to the Goddess taking over is kinda silly, having read FoE a while ago.

On the other, it makes it all the sweeter, seeing her tally up those antagonist points, making me like her less and less.

I think this story does a better job at exploring the characters than the original did. Maybe it's the style, the word count or both, but I feel I know them more and they feel more... tangible.

“I feel naked like this.”

You're always naked anyway. What's the problem?
Spiked armor, silken dress. What's the difference?

Not like an immortal super helper even needs any protevtion...except maybe against scrutiny and judgemeny.
That that is rendered null by the Wasteland

Glory rubbed her chin, “You know, I’ve heard that, in some cultures, white is the color of death.  So really, if you think about it, you are a maiden of death.”  

I looked at Glory in bafflement, and she snapped my rump with her tail.  “Oh, yeah!  And the red… um… it looks like blood!”  

“Really?  You’re not just saying that?” she asked as she rubbed her eyes.

“Absolutely,” Grace said with utter sincerity.  “If you think about it, those pearls symbolize the... skulls of your defeated enemies.  And that mane pin is the heart of your foes that you’ve ripped from their chest.”

Oh my gosh! Having to convince her of so many visceral ideas to make her actually feel more comfortable.

When blood, skulls and chains make you feel better then silk and pearls, and your freinds have to make those kinds of comparisons just so you don't strip, you know you've got some major problems...

Scotch Tape commented on how Glory’s dress made her at least one fifth cooler.

One fifth? That will not do! At least 10%!

Finally, Splendid looked at Boo and hesitated a moment as she blinked cluelessly at him.  Finally, he smiled and moved up beside her, “May I?”

Oh wow. When you have to ask the blank, you really know you're less then chop liver. A rather Splendid match if I ever saw one.

“Oooh!  I am starving!  I think I’ll go pick up a snack!  Excuse me!” 

Windclop...you're a ghoul.
Your excuse is invalid unless brains are involved.

I was dropped, and he loomed over her.  “Knight Crumpets, it is well known that friendship is magic and magic is strength and strength is the ability to do good in this world!  Are you denying the strength of my friendship?  Are you?”  He quivered as he flexed his massively muscled forelegs, body pulsating.  “Feel the power of my friendship!  Feel!” he demanded, his mustache quivering.

This guy seriously reminds me of Full Metal Alchemist's Armstrong. So. Many. Similarities!

“Love wants to be free!”

I'M BRANDING THOSE GOLDEN QUOTES RIGHT THERE!

“Where would he keep a weapon like that?”  Please say on the surface!

“Shadowbolt Tower,” he said without a moment’s hesitation.

Well its a darn good thing that's where you're going anyway, BJ

Something about it was familiar, though.  I placed it around my neck and tucked it out of sight beneath the dress.  If he’d been carrying it, it must have been important

Bruh. You just donned an unknown pendant from Cognitum without any idea what it does? Seriously, Blacjack, no caution.

“No!” Charm screamed at the top of her lungs.  “It should be me!  Me!  I’m the one who deserves it!  Give it to me!”  She lunged for her sister’s legs, her hooves prying at the gold.  Grace, for her part, seemed so bedazzled by events that she didn’t punt her away at once.  But then she levitated Charm up and held the filly by the scruff of her neck.

“Blackjack has made her choice, and you will respect it, Charm,” Grace countered.

“Fuck Blackjack!  Fuck you!  Fuck him!  Fuck all of you!” she shrieked as she thrashed at Grace.  “I’m gonna kill all of you, and then you’re going to be sorry!  You’ll see!”

“Right.  I think that’s enough of that!” I said loudly.  “Scotch Tape!  Rampage!”  The pair rushed to the dais, looking at me with nigh salivating grins.

“Yes, Blackjack?” Scotch said eagerly.

“You called?” Rampage asked.

“Please escort Charm to her room, and teach her to watch her language,” I said as regally as I could.

“Fuck yeah!” Rampage grinned at the filly.  “Run, little piggy!  Run!”  Charm screamed as she raced for the door, pursued by the pair.

“Don’t rip those dresses!” I yelled after them.  Then I sighed.  “Who named her Charm anyway?”

Well...that went well.
what a sore loser...geez, why don't you put on the Charm, girl?

Palette wanted body paint.

Body paint? What?

“I didn’t have any choice in the service I provided, but I know mares, and always it was more than just sex.  Duct Tape liked to pretend we were married.  Marmalade wanted a friend.  Sometimes we didn’t even have sex.  Palette wanted body paint.  Misty Hooves wanted everyone to hear us so people would stop thinking she was a filly.  Gin Rummy would tell me her worries about her daughter.  Rivets would rut, then complain about the Overmare to me, because I’d listen and not report her.  Mares need things in this time.  So what is it you need?”

Only you, Somber, could possibly make pony sexual affairs an interesting topic.

Molestia would be proud

“So... is this part of the plan?”

Are those his quotes or something?
I swear, I hear him say it all the time.

“P-21?” I asked quietly.

“Hmmm?”

“Do you still hate me?”

“Blackjack, when it comes to you, I haven’t a clue,” he replied with a chuckle.  “But no.  No, I don’t think so.”

“Oh,” I said as I gave him a tighter hug.  “That’s... nice.”

I don't know why, but I just get the feeling that this is a very important moment.
The calm, the quiet, and right after a peaceful resolution conversation with Glory

A blue unicorn mare with a silver mane looked back. 

Talk about a twisted reflection.

I liked the calm resignation in this chapter. How the Goddess was postponed for a while, but was an inevitability.
it made that last night of freedom so much better...so much more menaingful.

She could have done anything with that night, mostly panic.
but she enjoyed it with her freinds and cousin...how brave and dauntless.

Though..,take note that she left her Pipbuck.
her haunted Pipbuck.
the one that has Dealer in it.
Dealer, who can communicate with anybody he is attached too
The Dealer who knows the truth and heard everything.

Yeah...this game isn't over by a longshot.

I've been waiting for this for the last 27 chapters!

huh, kinda a kill joy knowing that littlepip won't be killed

“I wanna dance!” Scotch Tape squealed. “Dance with me, Daddy!” P-21 looked at me with the strangest smile. Happy. Simply happy as he followed her to where the Society ponies were pairing off in the middle of the floor.

Hmm...
My heart: Nope. Nope nope nope nope nope.
Me: Hnnng!

Lacunae’s mouth worked silently. She looked at me, and I waved my hoof and tried to think at her to go on, but the mental static still lingered. She looked down at him; despite her alicorn mass, they were very nearly the same size. “G… gallant sir. I am unworthy of your praise. Surely there are others here deserving of your genteel attention.”

Best alicorn is so cute when she is flustered.

Bout time. I was shipping those two back when they still hated each other. What would you call it, Black-21? P-Jack?

As my friends and I walked along the hall towards the stairs that led to the ballroom, I looked from one to the next. Scotch Tape commented on how Glory’s dress made her at least one fifth cooler. Rampage hung back, looking oddly sweet in her insecurity. Boo just seemed keen on getting to the festivities. Lacunae met my eyes, visions of Galas long ago swimming in hers as the Goddess slowly eroded what little resistance remained between her and us. The void fetish had bought me one last evening, at most.

one fifth=20%...

“Actually, that’s what I was discussing with Sagittarius here. We’re hoping to bring in some professional help to neutralize the ooze. If we can’t, we might have to evacuate the hospital and relocate to Rocket Town at the Luna Space Center. Unfortunately, we have friction with the ghouls who live there,” Windclop said with a sour twist of his lips. “They believe they can use their rockets to fly away to a promised land. Madness, really, but they are my own kind. I’d much rather stay in good old Meatlocker, of course.”

a subtle joke: on Fallout 3 or 4 there's a mission to help some ghouls get some old rockets working so they can fly away!

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Fallout: New Vegas. What's the deal with everyone? It's my favorite of the series, one of the greatest FPSs of all time, but people seem to forget it exists all the time.

“Maybe the Wasteland is magically repopulating itself with small groups of zebras to kill so we can take their stuff?” Rampage said with a grin.

Like that would ever happen ...

One of the things I like about this story are the Mythology Gags.

Lacunae looked helplessly at Crumpets, Glory, and me. The brown earth pony waved her hoof. “Oh, don’t mind me. I’m strictly for the mares anyway.” Glory and I glanced at her with simultaneous, identical arched brows, and she flushed. “What?”

You just declared open season on yourself

The only oddity was... why did I want to write to the princess about it?

Nice one!

A blue unicorn mare with a silver mane looked back. With a flash, Lacunae appeared in the bathroom beside me. “It’s time,” the Goddess said simply in my mind.

You know, this was actually pretty nice. It makes it seem like the Goddess decided to give Blackjack one last happy moment before she'd take her away. Which honestly, made me smile. We knew what happened with Psalm, and we saw that the Goddess hadn't been evil. Psalm did in fact, poison the pool.

It's nice to see a calm ending to one of the chapters, no screaming, no Goddess yelling and raging. Just the calm, "It's time." And done.

Very nice.

I felt someone step up behind me; aha! I whirled, ready to defe-- I was yanked off my hooves like an insolent filly and hauled into the air! I felt my body whirled around as a massive stallion crowed, “Glorious day, Your Majesty!” He held me like a cyberpony doll with one powerful foreleg while the other thrust towards the heavens. “Never would I, Paladin Sugar Apple Bombs Stronghoof,

Here I stopped reading and went "YES, YES, YES, YES, I LOVE IT, THIS IS THE BEST, YOU GODDAMN LEGEND!" Accompanied with continuous fistpumps.

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Well in Black Jack the goal is 21 so isn't blackjack already a fine name?

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Technically new Vegas is an original fallout from interplay since it was made by the original developers using the original fallout three script.

“So. Now what?” I asked the mare in the mirror.

Do I spy a Michael Jackson reference?

Well, if they really wanted to know... “I don’t care that they’re zebras so much that they’re all around the Hoof. Even if the individual camps aren’t that big, there’s a lot of them. And no one just sits around in the Wasteland admiring the scenery. They’re up to something.”

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We need ponies who are used to living underground and handling cramped living spaces, and are used to the kind of social order you find in stables and the Steel Rangers.

I'm suddenly reminded of an apparently authoritarian tribe of bat ponies whose prince was very happy to not have to marry his own sister...

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Techniques ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

“Zebra problems? In the northwest? Isn’t that the exact opposite direction from where the Remnant operates?” I asked with a frown.

Looks like a new quest to deal with

Charity rolled her eyes. “Where do you think half these ponies bought their fancy outfits? Megamart?” The two yellow mares regarded each other coolly, small smiles on their faces. Finally Charity said in a tone of smug import, “Six.”

I'm half surprised they aren't mother and daughter

“Maybe the Wasteland is magically repopulating itself with small groups of zebras to kill so we can take their stuff?” Rampage said with a grin.

That could be true?

Steel Rain did not take it well. He was dragged from the party kicking and shouting about destroying me, the Society, and ‘everypony’. That was more like it, really.

That's funny but also kinda worrying since he has enough force to back it up..😨

“I care that you’re upset. I care that you’re feeling guilt. I care that you’re going through these changes and I can’t help you. I care about what you’re feeling. But I don’t care that you played ‘hide the carrot’ with Splendid.” I closed my eyes. “Maybe it’s time we stopped this relationship. All I ever do is hurt you.”

Awww noooo 😢

Then I looked behind me and froze. No. Not Splendid at all. Flushing far more than I ever had after coitus, I pulled myself free from them. P-21’s eyes opened a little, his lips curling in a slightly inebriated smile. “Time to go?” he muttered sluggishly. “Don’t call medical. They’ll think I did a bad job.”

O_O

Damn it... I hope she had more time of freedom till lilpip killed her.

@Somberpony I don't know if you still read these comments, but how is it possible that Storm Front's marefriend turned raider when she was presumably a pegasus? This was before the plague went cross-contaminant, so she should be immune like all the other Enclave.

“Reflect!” he said with utmost scorn. “The enmity between yours and mine is of no matter here. Not here. I have heard of you, Lady Lacunae, and I know you are apart from your kind. That you show a degree of gentleness and a good demeanor unknown elsewhere. Never would I think ill of you for that, nor would I care for the thoughts of any who would think ill of us for it!” He kissed her hoof, and her purple wings fluffed a little as she blushed. “Please, dearest lady. Allow me this honor, and I shall be forever satisfied.”

YES! Man I love Stronghoof, nothing bad better not happen to him

What a nice chapter. Man fuck the goddess. I would be stressed out of my mind if I didn't know the goddess was going to be blown up

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Are all raiders in project horizons nesscerily caused by the plauge?

i imagein its possible to just go raider from normal hoof-wasteland crazy

Something in him released a wheezing sigh. “Yeah, I hear that,” I said with a smile. “I need to ask a favor.” The engine emitted a low grumble. “Yeah, I know I’m the last pony you want to do any favors for, but I need your help. We’re going into the sky soon, and there’s no way we can take you with us.”

Oh, I dunno Blackjack. I’m sure you could arrange something. It’s an airship. He could probably roll onboard with a big enough ramp. “But even if the airship could carry him, he’d be stuck on it.” Yeah, but just think of the possibilities! Oh goddesses, I can see it now! I’m thinking of the scene from FO:E where Xenith goes ham on the bloodwings…

A few yards back, Xenith kicked open the door to the passenger wagon, staring out at the black forms whipping about us in the blankets of rain. Before I realized what she was planning, the zebra leapt, soaring out into the air and landing on the back of one of the giant bats. She drove the spear of her hellhound helmet through the monster’s head, then jumped from its falling corpse towards the nearest opponent.

And I had felt sorry for her, I thought, watching as she impacted the creature’s wing and slashed it off with her hellhound-claw horn before falling into the darkness where more unsuspecting bloodwings awaited. I should feel sorry for her enemies.

Now just imagine this but with DEUS! And instead of bloodwings it’s RAPTORS! OH THIS COULD BE JUST GLORIOUS…

…what’s that tapping on my shoulder?

[my conscience] Bloodwings are feral beasts. Raptors are crewed by PONIES you idiot!

[me] …shut up

If looks could kill... She gave a nasty smirk. “Oh, I didn’t want you to miss out on your present, Your Majesty,” she said as she levitated a bag off her back and tossed it to me before trotting off the far side of the dais. I glanced at Hoity, then opened the drawstring. It didn’t sound like a grenade or anything. It clinked when I levitated it, and I peeked in.

“What is it, Blackjack?” Glory asked in concern.

I couldn’t answer. I just felt… tired. I cupped my forehooves and poured a small pile of broken glass into them from the bag. Curved glass. The exact curve of memory orbs. “I guess she found out she wasn’t my pick for regent,” I muttered as I dumped them back into the sack.

I won’t lie. Back when I was reading FO:E, I would physically cringe whenever memory orbs were lost or destroyed. Such a terrible loss. But at this point in this story? It must be Tuesday again.

“Big Daddy always makes sure some of us attend the Gala. Mostly to bear news about Awesome,” Brutus said in his deep, calm voice. “It’s mostly an evening of tedium. Then we get bored, smash the furniture, and get thrown out. It’s tradition.”

His smile disappeared. “Cognitum has been… pressuring me… to get certain improvements. I’ve seen what she did to Dawn. I have no desire to join her. I like power you can take off at the end of the day.” He frowned as he looked away and set the glass on a table beside us, glancing at my cybernetics with a barely hidden shudder. “I’d bet that Dawn’s failures would translate to further trust of me. Sadly, that’s not the case. She wants me more… augmented.”

I actually feel sorry for him. A little.

We were on our way to Maripony to kill LittlePip.

Weeeee!!!

“What?” I blinked at him a moment then back at the crowd. “Oh.” I smiled and struggled to get the words out as he’d told me. Damn it! Why wasn’t the Stable Dweller doing this? She could have just sashayed in and wowed them all with just her sheer awesomeness. “Um… Thanks for coming. Let’s get this party started!”

As funny as that joke was, I'm much more interested in Blackjack's reaction to realizing the truth, (please tell me she'll realize Littlepip is the Stable Dweller)