Ashes and Fairy Tales

by RoccoRoccs

Chapter 2: Nightmares And Daydreams

I woke up long before I should have. Visions of the nightmare I had just had was still playing tricks with my eyes and had a firm grip on my pulse still yet. Rose was fast asleep beside me, her hoof still softly reaching under the covers for me in in the still darkness of the early morning lighting. I sat at the edge of the bed, frantically trying to get myself together so I could fall back asleep next to her for a little longer. But to no avail, I had to get up, my body was dragging me forward in search of something to clam my fractured nerves.

Not wanting to leave her side, I took perch next to the bed in the chair and rested my hoof on her side. I wanted to be close to her but at the same time I wanted nothing more than to just... fly. I wanted to burn off all this energy and throw myself to the mercy of the wind so I could scream the fear away. But there was no wind down here, only the stale cool air and low ceilings to tease me further. It was as if the world around me was closing in on me just to let me know that I was trapped from respite.

I was being torn between the mare I loved and the relief I needed, I hated it. I just wanted to go back to sleep for a while and forget all this was happening, but how could I? My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest at any moment! I had dreamed that I was born aloft with Rose on my back, the world below us was fire and smolder. Just as I found a cloud to hide us both away, Rose fell. I flew after her, but one of my wings just... disappeared. That feeling of... hopelessness. I had not had that feeling in so long that I had nearly forgotten just how much it hurt.

It all happened so fast, yet felt like an eternity in my mind. When I woke up, I had to be careful not wake Rose as I clung to her. But no matter how close I got to her, it was never close enough to calm my nerves. Why did I have to have that dream, on tonight of all nights? I just wanted to enjoy my last few moments with her before we were flung into the Wasteland. But here I sit, patiently waiting for the time to come that I have to go. If nothing else, it would give me time to watch over her a little longer.

By the time that my alarm rang, I had already taken a shower and started a pot of coffee. The Stable lights were just beginning to brighten up for the day and Rainier was already stumbling around half asleep, looking for food. The poor girl looked dead on her hooves as well, but her's was from staying up all night chatting up the buck in the atrium. Mine was from stress. She trotted to the counter near the coffee pot, eyes still closed and began pawing at the counter for a cup. After a few tense moments, I slid one in front of her where she eventually found it.

"Morning." I said flatly.

"Mor-aahh-ahh-ahhing."

"Sleep well?"

"Coffee..." She said as her hoof found the pot and began to poor the black elixir... right passed the cup and onto the floor.

"Yes. Coffee... And it goes in the cup, sweetheart." I said as I guided the pot over the cup.

"That's nice..." Rainier said as she trotted back to her room.

What an odd mare. She's so sweet and kind, like her sister was... But a morning pony she was not! I have no idea how she gets around here with her damn eyes closed like she does but somehow misses the coffee pot inches from her face. I love her like a daughter I never had, but that also means I sometimes want to give her a good bell ringing to get her head on straight... like the daughter I never had.

I grumbled away as I poured Rose her morning cup and placed it near her bedside before returning to clean the mess. At this point I was looking for anything and everything to distract me from the hurricane inside my chest for a little while longer. As I went to toss the dirty rag into the clothes bin, I was greeted with sleepy yawn of a mare sipping away at her coffee. I swear, she could be in a coma and the scent of coffee would wake her right up.

"Morning, hunny." I said as I tossed the rag in the bin.

"What am I going to do without you around here..." She said with an eager grin.

"I don't know, probably kick Rainier out and sleep in?"

"We can't do that... After all, you are the one who found her. If not for you, she would not be alive."

"I know... I just wished she would show it more, you know? I mean she's a good kid and all, but very messy and kind of disrespectful."

"Chance... She's a teenager for one. For two she's farm bred and raised. They tend to be more honest and forward about things."

"Yeah... I guess you are right." I said, crawling back into bed beside her.

"Bad dream?" She asked as she laid a hoof on my leg.

"Yeah... I guess it was to be expected."

"Chance. I've been thinking. I know you don't want to do this, but... This mission you are doing, could it help us get out of this place one day?"

"Yeah, it could. I think once the details of what happened are known and the extent of the damage measured, we might get to live a normal life again."

"Then I want you to do it. I want you to go and get this done as fast as you can and get back here." Rose said as she curled up to me.

"What? Just a few hours ago, you were planing to murder me with a lamp, now you want me to go?"

"If it means us getting back on the surface, yes. I don't want our baby to grow up down here, I want her to smell the flowers and see the sky. Not... this." She said with more passion than a mare who had just thought of it.

Truth was, I had been thinking it too. I would never want a kid to grow up in a place like this. It was cruel for them to never see the sun or moon and even more so for them to not get the chance to just run and play in the summer air. Depending on what we found out there, there was a great chance that we could make a life for ourselves even after life had ended. Her passion and mine were one in the same, but it was going to have to be me that found out first hoof if it were possible.

Before long it had come time for me to be briefed for the mission and I had to leave. Neither of us wanted to let go, even if we both knew that I was coming back before I had to disembark. It felt like one slow step away from her at a time, but what must be done, must be done. Even with order, I hated to go. Rose had promised to take a shower and meet us at the Stable door in a few hours to see us off. Rainier on the other hoof... She might show... Maybe.

Click and Clack were quick to join me as I trotted towards the overmare's office, the two of them looking eager and ready to go. Click, in true Click fashion, was still brushing her teeth and combing her mane for the day all the while humming a tune that she had made up. Clack however... Lets just say that she had mastered the art of sleep trotting to the point of being a functional narcoleptic. As the three of us reached the overmare's door, a though came over me to the tune of needing to speak it aloud.

"Girls... Listen. I have no idea just how far she is going to push us off this cliff, but know this... We will make it back home. I won't let her put us in a situation that will get us hurt or keep us away. I know you are both excited to go outside, but just remember that we are doing this for everypony, not for her. Got it?" My little speech done, I looked to them for affirmation. A spit of toothpaste and grin from Click and a sleepy nod from Clack. Perfect. "Let's do this."

"Chance, Click, Clack... Good morning." Limestone said flatly.

"Morning, madam." We all managed to get out.

"As you know, your mission is to observe and report. Nothing more, nothing less. Your mission is to verify damage, gather intel over the matter at hoof and report back with your findings directly. This is not a sight seeing trip! Chance, I suspect that you will be happy to hear that I have granted your request for time off and you will need to report back here one day prior to the date you set."

"Thank you, madam. It means a lot."

"Yes, well... Your little filly will be the first born in this stable, we hope to see this occasion to spur many more like it some day. It is after all, important." She said with a hard tone. "As I was saying. This data will be of the upmost importance to us and the survival of our kind in the world. Accuracy is top priority, that is why I am granting Chance the access codes to the stable door. This is a huge responsibility, if somepony were to find this code, I don't have to tell you that the out come could be less than ideal."

"Yes, madam."

"Now. I have uploaded the mission criticals to your pipbucks, it would be best if you all made your way to the armory to get suited up, you will be leaving as made ready."

And with that, we were ushered out the door and down the hall to the Stable armory to get geared up. I was still plenty upset about what was happening and my role in the matter, but even I was feeling that oh so happy feeling of excitement. I got it anytime we got to go and do field work, but this time I was not a lacky, I was a team leader! Even though I had to leave Rose behind, I could not shake the feeling of butterflies in my stomach from the excitement.

The load out that we were receiving was anything but typical... Sure there were the standards for a field analyst... Laser ruler, note pads, forms, pencils, clip boards and what not... but I never remember wearing armor this thick and I'm pretty sure we were never issued firearms. Three 10mm pistols and one assault rifle were issued to us along with a health amount of ammunition. I had not clue what they thought or expected us to see, but the list of munitions was putting me on edge.

"What's with all the guns?" I asked.

"Loaded as requested by Limestone. Field reports have stated that some of the local wildlife has turned hostile due to habitat loss. There is also the threat of robbery from one of the roaming gangs in the area."

"Gangs!? I expected wildlife, but gangs?"

"Yeah! After the bombs fell, ponies started to gather in packs so to speak. After the shelf stable rations ran out, some ponies resorted to robbing other groups to keep their stomach full."

"Just a few months in and we are already set back thousands of years."

"It's a real shit show out there, sir. Best stay frosty." He said as he cinched my vest tight.

Click and Clack were enjoying the treatment from the bucks hooves doing up the various straps around them. I never bothered to ask, but judging by the looks on their faced, they both had a thing for a buck in uniform. Especially one that had their hooves all over them. Great, I was going into the Wasteland with two hot and bothered, well armed insane mares. What could go wrong!?

The gearing up completed we disembarked for the Stable door. Click and Clack tailed close behind as we passed by the various confused ponies in the hallways. A Stable FULL of ponies, but because I had wings I was was pre-selected for a suicide mission with two crazy mares. The weight of the armor and weapons was well noted with every step of the hoof on the steel floors. The Stable residents looked on in wonder and confusion as we trotted to the land platform were our loved ones awaited us to say god bye.

"Chance. Click. Clack." The overmare started in a loud commanding tone. "It is no secret to anypony here what lies beyond this door. Many of us have seen the devastation with out own two eyes, some of us lost more than we can bare to recall. With your work you three will see us through this hardship and into a bright new tomorrow. It is my dearest wish that you return to this Stable safe and sound with the information we need to move forward with our lives.

As an old story once told... Look around and count thee among the mighty, fore you are of sworn duty and strength. through your might, your will be done and through your knowledge the doors before you opened. Tread swiftly through the shadows of death and fly high on the winds of this world. Ad astra per aspera!" She finished with a shout. The grand gesture was met with cheers of excitement and eager stomping as the crowd of onlookers carried on.

"Chance! Pst! Chance... what does that mean!?" Click said from the side of her mouth.

"It means, through difficulties, to the stars... It's the motto of the MOM's Search and Investigation branch... The branch you worked for?" I said in complete disappointment.

"Now! The time has come for your moments alone with your loved ones. Please, take a moment to be with them before you leave on this journey." Limestone said as she trotted from the platform and over to the control room.

Click and Clack took turns hugging each other over and over again as they said their tearful goodbyes to one another. Ridiculous as it was, it was also ironically fitting for those two to be doing such a thing on the eve of such a dangerous assignment. I turned to Rose who had dawned her favorite white dress for the occasion. Lashed across one shoulder and held in place with the rose pendant I had given her long ago when I had asked her to marry me, she stood regal and strong. She truly was my daydream come true.

She was going through so much right now, so much that the universe just kept asking for more of her, yet she stood strong against it all. It was only in private that I ever saw her truly break down before me, but out here was different. No out here she had to show me that she was strong enough to bare the burden of everything while I was away. It was just another way she showed her love for me. She kept my mind clear of worry by force of will just so I could think straight for a little longer. It was one of the things that told me that she truly was my one and only, if not the second mare in my life who could do such a thing. I was proud to know her the way I did.

"I guess this is it. You're all packed up. I see they gave you some armor..." She said avoiding eye contact.

"Hey now... none of that. Look at me." I said taking her hoof in mine. I watched as the tears in the corners of her eyes began to grow and glisten in the amber lights above me. As strong as she was, no mare or buck was strong enough for this.

"No- No! I can't Chance, no!" She whimpered as she tried to look away.

"Rose I know you want to be strong right now for me, but right now what I need is to see those green eyes of your's."

"Chance..." She started as she made contact with me once more. "Please hurry back." Her last words came out as little more than a squeak as she hugged me tight one last time.

"I will, Rose. I will."

With a sharp jolt, the platform between us began to fall away, pulling us apart from our embrace. I had to wonder if the overmare was just sadistic or if she knew I had no plans on letting her go. I watched as the platform pulled her further and further away from me back into the bright lights of the Stable. I did everything, I bit my lip, I chewed my tongue, anything to keep from crying in front of her. It looked like It was my turn to be strong for her. I had to be if I wanted to make it back alive.

Just as I thought I could still make her form out, I watch that giant cog roll its way back into its place, sealing us away from the ones we loved. I turned to Click and Clack expecting more of their usual stupidity, I could really use some comic relief right now. But I was nearly swept from my hooves as the two of them ran to me crying. The two of them wrapped their hooves around me and refused to let go.

"I'm so sorry Chance!" Click howled.

"Yeah-yeah! I promise we will do everything we can to get you back safe!" Clack affirmed.

It was only then I realized that the two of them had done something I had never seen before, the two of them stopped what they were doing and paid attention. I was both shocked and overcome with pride that I had finally taught them something after all these months. I know I rag on them all the time, but honestly, it's so that they better themselves. But through their crazy antics and mindless mare dribble, I saw something just a bit more of them. They cared about me.

Even if the job we were given seemed insurmountable, I think we can pull it off if we try hard enough. These girls might not have much to come back to, but maybe, just maybe if I try hard enough, I can give them something to come home to one day. Maybe we three can, together.

Comments

[Idoubledareyou]

And so the adventure begins (well it begun last chapter, but you get the idea). I'm looking forward to see what will happen from now on. I like the build up you did with these two chapters, How many do you plan on doing for this story? Same as the prequel or perhaps more?

Sorry for no commenting on the first chapter I kinda forgot about it

[RoccoRoccs]

9568943
I do plan to do more chapters this go around. There is just simply so much to explain! Between the massive amount of typing it would take to keep it down to 12 chapters or even 13 chapters, and the massive world worth of exploring that they will have to do would lead to Chapters being nearly 20K long. Where I don't mind writing long chapters I feel as though without the correct backdrop you run into a situation where things start to get watered down. I really don't want that to happen with this story. As with everything I write I become emotionally attached to the characters and I feel it would be a disservice to them if I did. Also no need to apologize LOL I'm just grateful that you're enjoying the story so far!

[Idoubledareyou]

9568949
I don't mind more chapters I was just asking out of curiosity
I also wanted to ask, did Lyra survived? Rose was in her house during the explosion after all.

Also I wanted to message you on Discord but couldn't add you for some reason, so here is my tag Chifle#4053 just in case

[RoccoRoccs]

9569008
Sorry about the discord thing, for some reason discord hates me lol. I sent you a request tho.

As far as Lyra goes... personally i love her as a character quite a bit and as much as i would love to write her in, i honestly have few plans to outside of bg work. BUTT. Would she have survived? More than likely yes. Ponyville was spared in the blast for the most part (if you can call it that) and was not bombed directly.
As such, most of the ponies who were not killed in the initial blast, fled the city towards Hope. Some were evac'd to Stable 2 on the Apple family farm, most notably show cannon ponies. Though digging would be needed to say for sure, it's kind of a 'up to the reader' kind of thing.

Personally, i would like to think my favorite hoodie wearing mare survived.