> Fallout Equestria: Seven Mistakes
>  by The Lion Infinity
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter One: Lonely Road...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"War, war never changes...well, maybe if we started fighting with sticks. No wait ponies have done that before. Those crazy fucking tribals, man I hate tribals. There just...big fuckheads...yeah. Real big assholes too. Not like ponies who speak normally are any different, we just think we have better reasons when we act savagely towards others...Dammit! How long How I've been out here? I told them that i'd be right back! I just had to take a quick piss, and then something shiny caught my eye, then I tried to reach it but I wasn't done pissing...Things got messy after that. I'm a better pony for it! Stronger, faster, smar-cooler! Yeah, hela cool...What the hell...?" Smoke in the distance caught my eye. It was a fire maybe...who would camp out here, its crawling with raiders. No, smokes black, smells..."Shit...". No, no, no, come on...come on...I ran. I had to. I had to know...

I'd been searching for them for awhile now. I thought they deserted me, guess something else could've happened. Theres no way they'd get murdered by a bunch of chem addicts. No fucking way...Distraction! I need to think back, think back on something good...They day we left...



~~~


My custom barding shifted as a trotted into the saloon. The Rusty Pegasus...yuck...It was a nice place in the small town of Rider. Little vomit here and there but nice and homey. We had taken a few years to gather supplies and prepare for our longest haul this year. We just had to, freshen up. I mean what better place to prepare for a life or death trip than to get a little shit faced right? It sounds even better when you add the seven caravans we have to drag across the waste land. Papa says: "We gotta meet the quota!" What a croc of shit. Who the hell wants to keep there good name in this fucked up place? I'd sell my name for some clean water and a clean mare and call it a fucking day! I would sell it though, Its Lonely Road...what a crap name. Can't deney this job puts edible stuff on the table and hair on your balls, unless some raider burns them off with a jury rigged flame thrower. I swear, there getting more well euiped each day. The other day there was at least five with laser gatlings! Ok...maybe just two...and maybe they didn't work. But, just the thought of them having weapons like that, its like giving a ripper to hyper active foal or something. Anyway, I was thirsty, so I went along with the others to grab a drink. Not like I had a choice or needed any persuasion. Empty Bottle was the owner, ran the place with her sister. Never understood her name until I heard the stories. Made more sense then. She claims its because she was destined to clean empty bottles for the rest of her life, oh, and that her parents where assholes.

"Empty! Hows life!"

"Go fuck yourself..."

"Glad we had that talk! Ok, i'd like a full glass of..." I looked at the glass next to me,"...whatever the fuck that is..."

"Sure Lonely, you gonna pay? And that includes all the other times as well..."

"Ummmm..." Its not that I didn't have the money...I just don't want ta pay up is all," I promise Empty, i'll pay you back when we come back around. Shuldn't take long. In fact, it'll be in like...Two days! Yeah, two days, i'll py back and then some!"

She scowled at me with her cold pink eyes." Fine...but I wanna see those caps Lonely. I mean it..."

She brought the mug to me and slammed it on the table. It was steamy, smelly, and...Fuck it, lets drink up!" Whoa!" the drink, sorry, the sludge crawled slowly down my throat and settled in my stomach.

"Hows it taste.." Empty Bottle asked smirking at me.

"Honestly...not bad. I'm positive you spit in it though."

"Actually that was Wash Cloth, she's gotta crush on you. Likes watching stallions drink her spit up. Oh and thats Brahmin mucus, hope ya enjoyed it."

I looked over at the dirty sandy mare waving at me and bating her eyes. I waved back nervously. I don't know whats worse, the mutated cow snot or the dirty mare spit...Oddly enough, it was kinda-

"Lonely, we'er heading out. we don't have time to goof around." Candle Stick stepped in and a few of our caravaners followed. She was a crimson mare with a midnight purple mane and tale. Her horn was white and so was her barding material. She had a long barrel shot gun on her back and a sharp machete. A key chain hanged from a circular hole in the handle. It was a mare and a stallion holding a heart in a hug. It was dirty but it shined like diamond.

"So you like it..."

"What, what are you...oh."

"Well..."

"It's a nice present Lonely, anything else you want to point out? We have to go come on..."

I followed the mare outside. Empty yelled at me to remember my tab, I wasn't gonna pay that stupid bitch. Hah! I mean its not like she can find me where i'm going. I'll be halfway across the wasteland before she can even spell two days. Bet she doesn't even know what a two is! Hahaha...yeah, any who, Candle Stick was  loading up our caravan. We were to meet up with Papa, and the others. Dean, Arson, and Boulder were with us. The brahmin were fed and we were ready. Ammo, potions, more ammo, sharp weapons, blunt weapons, even more ammo, dynamite for some reason and hey look...ammo! Yup we were ready. 

I strapped my barding up a little tighter. It was uncomfortable but its saved my life on countless occasions. I've taken hits from all kinds of munitions, nothings punched through. A few bruises and burns but i'm like a steel paladin in this thing. Nothing for the head though...eh, Lucky I guess. I got my favorite hat from the foot locker under the seat of the wagon. I made sure both of my double barrels where tucked in there respective pockets. Yes, i'm ready to brave the big bad terrible wasteland...


"You still wear that filthy hat," Dean asked as he polished his rifle in the covered part of the wagon," You can't just walk up to some rotting body and put on their clothes, its disgusting..."

"Dean, you shit in a bucket. We all do when were on the move. Why the hell does it matter if he's wearing some dead ponies hat?" Boulder stepped in. He was a large grey stallion with scraggily orange mane and a burn on his cheek."We aren't really the cleanest group of ponies in the waste ya'know?"

"We do what we have to, I get that, but a dead guys hat? Come on, thats not important."

Arson looked up from his straw hat and groaned. He never did like the arguing," You two should stop flirting and just get it over with already. You bicker like a couple. And if Ol' Lonely want to wear his dead ponies hat, then let it be..." 

The two stallions finally shut up. I never paid them any mind on that regard, my hat. I liked it, I took it, I never looked back. Its my hat now so fuck that dead dude and whoever knew him. This is my head and it needs a hat! On it! And it does! 

Soon enough we reached Papas caravan and the other five wagons. They were all making last minute checks. Zella was pregnant, so the wagon needed to make room. Doesn't happen often, but when it does we take that kid with us. Thats just the way it is. We took this job and the contract is binding and deadly, as in it'll be a messy end for early termination. So we had to make sure we didn't get any pregos, but when it happened, we told 'em it changes nothing. It was nice though, contracts or no, we were a family and we all liked doing this. We were a caravan that actually liked caravanning. Even if we ran into some pesky tribals or crazed addicts. Even rival caravans, we were together...

"Papa! Were here! So, whats the-"

"Boy, why the hell are ya out ya wagon!?"

Yup, family..." Just thought I'd check on progress...Wheres Mama?"

"Busy, and you know that we would make progress if ya'd stay in yer wagon..." Papa put me in a headlock," Make me self clear!?"

"Yes, sir, I get it!"

"Good," He released me then chuckled," What is it ya need Lonely?"

I stared at the the strong stallion, the old guy was pretty massive. He was a vomit green and had several scars on his shiny bald spot. Had a large gray beard and eyes a s sharp as knives. I swear he could cut down an whole army with that stare. His cutie marks was...seven wagons..." Zelly, is she really coming with us. Our doc is good but...babies?"

"Your worried about that ol'mare? She'll be fine, besides we gotta quota! And a contract! Do what your told and you want die! Simple right boy?" Papa slapped my back, I swear he almost broke my spine..shit!

"Yeah, yeah...ouch...So, what about this stuff?"

A few crates with some gun parts and ammo. Ammo, ammo, ammo! That and a few amor pieces, some kind of symbol on them, looked heavy." This stuff is heavy anyway, I paid a few ponies in Rider to pick it up and stow it away. We'll come by later..."

"Later...we'er gonna be gone for at least another year! Right?" I asked, remembering a certain payment.


"Don't worry boy! We cutting it short this time but not too short. Don't worry about the tab, won't stop long."

I exhaled, hah, really don't wanna pay," Awesome!"

"Come on now we gotta get goin now, get on git!"

Papa pretty much threw me in my seat next to Candle Stick, she giggled at me as I struggled to sit up right." Not! Funny!"

"You have to love 'em though. His a good pony, when it counts anyway..." Candle looked over at me as she riled up the brahmin to move.

"Yeah, your right I guess. Does he have to be so damn rough though? I mean his like a diamond dog!" I brushed my barding, not that it looked any better before...The wagon got in position and we started moving further and further from Rider. It might be a small town but it was bigger than most. Could see it for miles away, but if you couldn't, your ass is far, far away. Learned that the hard way several times, several places.

"How long...?" Candle Stick asked. She was still looking forward, straight faced...

"Huh?"

"You know...how long have we been doing this? How long have we known each other Lonely...?" Candle smiled at me. I felt weird, she always does this.

"Look, we been doing this forever and we've know each other forever. Thats as good as your answer gets." I huffed slouching in the wagon, trying to get comftable. The sun was out and hot. Shining right on me, I felt like a damn target. I squinted as we continuesd on in the wasteland heat.

"Oh come on Lonely its just a question. Don't get so offended all the time."

"Your always doing that, messing with my mind. What do you want Candle?!" I through my hoofs up, still squinting. I bet I looked pretty damn stupid doing that.

Candle Stick had a different look on her face this time," Sorry Lonely, just thought i'd break the ice before I get all serious..."

"Seriou- What the hell are you talking about? Are you high, you taking chems?"

"No Lonely, i've been thinking. How long can I keep this up, out here? I don't want to die doing this. Its nice being around you...well when your not being a complete ass. But, I just can't do this forever, I need to leave, escape. I can't wait for that damned contract to end."

Candle wasn't always a flirtatious asshole. She use to do a lot of poetry, at night, nothing but candle to light the mood. Didn't take long for the wasteland to ruin that though. Raiders destroyed the town and half the ponies in it. I feel like she'll start rhyming if she gets anymore serious than this. I understood her fear though, even if she wouldn't admit it. Radiers are scary, dying in the waste is scary, dying last..."Hey you made it through that shit Candle. Papa made sure we gave those ponies a proper burial. We can pull through for another year or two."

"If you hadn't found me...," Candle paused and sighed," I can't keep this up Lonely. This land is hard, unforgiving. I've seen good ponies put down like wild animals. I've seen ponies turn on each other, kill each other, hell, even eat each other...Thats just too far for me..."

I wanted to say something but I couldn't think. I had like fifteen jokes about cannabalism all lined up, something told me too soon. I wasn't the best pony to talk to about shit like that. I have no idea what she wants me o say. Yes Candle, lets run away together! Is that what this is about? After the silence came more silence. We didn't talk for some time. I hid my eyes from the sun, Candle had some magic hood blocking the sun from her face. Lucky, unicorns have all the fun. The whole trip was me thinking of shit i'd rather do than get burned by the sun. Eat an actual pastry, find out if that dirty mare is clean in at least one spot, lick whatever that stain is on my barding, figure out who farted, find another shotty, find another hat, not exactly in that oder though...I diverged my attention between Candles plot and the key chain I found. I always liked junk, its random treasures in the waste that made this place a little better to deal with. Ever now and again i'd find something worth putting in my pockets or my pouch. Thats how I made the barding. A bunch of padding from other crap armor stitched in and weaved, skillfully I might add. Shottys where taken from some dead unicorn. Couldn't hold'em with magic but I have a system. One sits in my front hoofs holster and the other only hind leg. Taste a little bitter holding the handle in my mouth but I manage. Gets stuff dead, dead is good.

"Ever heard that story...?" Arson asked me, looking from under his straw hat.

"I've heard a lot of stories Arson, you need ta give it a name for me to know if I had heard or not," Not like i'd give a fuck though. Arson is always full of shit.

"Story of a cursed pony, waging war with cursed weapons. Guess its a legend, you can guess what happened to the bastard if its that."

Boulder pointed to his cheek," Only story I care about is when you burned me, every tell that one?"

"Twas an accident my lady, you happy now, I apologized again...Now anyway, this warrior was powerful with every kind of weapon possible. Swords, bombs, energy weapons, guns, every weapon imaginable. This pony was a god among lesser ponies, a real hero. But you wanna know how he got so powerful?"

"Not really Arson, you just start talking and expect me to listen to another pointless story?"

"Come on Lonely, this ones good." Arson chuckled," Wont lie, most shit I tell is bullshit, but hey this story might be important..."

I sighed, Candle Stick was being all stoic and boring, Boulder and Dean weren't doing anything interesting...," Fine...I guess..."

"Great, anyway, this 'Hero' was the same as any other pony in the waste. Just some punk who'd do anything to be powerful. Apperently he gave his soul to become famous, stronger, and be amazing at anything. So he got just that..." 

Arson took a long pause so I dared to ask,"...Ok, what happened next Arson?"

"Hmfp, he would be efficient with any weapon he laid his hoof on. They would gain attributes that no weapon could undergo.Some would be subtle others would be monstrous upgrades. Although of course theres a catch. Every weapon he'd use would drain his life force, killing him slowly. Not only that, the ponies that looked up to him would tear down his statues and posters and spit on his grave. Basically all that fame meant nothing, the curse he made possible would destroy his good name and pass it on to the next pony seeking power. Sucks right?  All that glory only to be disrespected and forgotten in time. Guess thats what he gets for trying to be a 'Hero'..." Arson chuckled in a raspy tone. Couging a little...

"That...," I paused, it was a shitty deal. I didn't think it'd be that hard to help a few ponies out but it gets to be a chore. Some poor fool always needs you to do something. Its true that our caravan saved Candle Stick and some others. I ways actually suggesting we just leave'em. I saw how pitiful she looked and..."...I hate your stories Arson...Got any with a happy ending?"

"I got some stories about quick merciful deaths, thats as good as it gets."

Of course," Ok thats it. Hey! Stop this train! I gotta piss!"

"What the hell are you doing!?" Candle Stick watched as I stood up to ring the bell hanging from the side of the caravan. It was for emergencies, I needed to piss, really badly." Lonely Road sit down!"

"Hey come on I need to piss!"

"Lonely Im serious your going to-"

A huge bump caused me to fall over the side. Oh but don't worry, these assholes finally stopped to laugh at me. Damn! My neck! I was embarrassed, I'll admit...but hey, at least they stopped. Papa put me in another head lock and let me go when I said i'd start pissing on him. It was just a little pee break i'd be done in no time. I ran over to a ridge, perfect cover for anyone trying to peek at my gorgeous rod! I may have underestimated how much I needed to let this out, I swear I was there for hours...Wait...whats...Something shiny poked out from the cracked dirt. A diamond, gold, a really shiny bullet that would still be awesome if I could just reach it. Come on just a little more. It was so close! But I was unable..."Whoa shit!" I fell in the dirt and the shiny object burst from its dirt prison. I wasn't done draining my fluids, body didn't seem to care that i'd just busted my jaw on the ground. But there it was! A brand new, slightly used, tooth! A tooth!? Well, its mine now! Silver and shiny and mine! Haha!...

I looked over the ridge. Didn't see this coming...There gone...damn shiny tooth...



~~~


I tripped over a smoldering body. Not sure who it was but the straw hat made it clear...I averted my eyes, the burning smell was not pleasant. I trotted slowly through the wreckage, it looked like a war zone. Mamas wagons was completely engulfed in flames. Dead ponies littered the cracked ground, raiders and friends alike...why did they leave...what happened? I saw Zella and Marrow, no pony should die like that. The raiders got to them last. The skin was peeled in some places, bite marks, stab wounds...I searched through the wreckage, most of the valuables were taken, I felt a little better knowing everything important to me was on me. I searched through more of the wagons, finding a friend here, another here, dead on there, and, yup, more ponies I know that are dead. The wagons were in a semi circle formation. Looks like they didn't have time to prepare for an attack completely. Yeah, the rear, they were surrounded. One spot left wide open would be death. Found Papas body, strongest stallion alive, downed by a shot in the head. Candle Sticks wagon was just up ahead...just need to reach it. I didn't see much. Looks like she was crushed by the wagon. A puddle of blood surround her body. A hoof was left exposed. I saw a strange orb sitting in the blood, nothing I had ever seen before. Well, if Candle died for this..."Sorry..." rolled the orb into my pouch, maybe i'll make a shrine out of it. Or sell it...no, bad pony....Dammit. What now? every things gone. Shipments fucked, I can't complete the journey on my own, i'd die without the stuff in most of these trunks and footlockers. Which most of it has been looted or burned to a crisp. Now fucking what!? I spied the key chain from Canldes machete, I took it, to...remember her. I looked over the wreckage, bewildered by the fact that I couldn't find all the bodies that weren't here. I took what I could, which wasn't much, and went on my way. A few twelve gauge rounds, a knife, some healing potions. Some rad-x, still looks good. Dirty, dirty water. Guess its back to rider...


"Dammit gotta pay that fucking tab!" I stubbed my hoof as I walked past a plank that read: Welcome to Rider. Bad hoof writing but readable. Couldn't see the place anywhere though. That means I got a ways to go huh... I kept stubbing my hoof though. I looked down and it was...a lunch box? I kicked it outa of anger, damn, thing!" Take this you...shit face!" I kicked it, then I heard it...the rattling of bottle caps. Holy crap, money in the ground! Wait...no, no,  I know what this is. I'm surprised that it didn't go off. Just a bottle cap mine, not worth dying over... How many did I break my hoof on.

"Come on, get it out!"

"I'm trying, i'm trying..."

What are they...? Those idiots! An electric blue mare and a white mare with black stripes on her legs. They were well armored, nice guns too. That blast however would make all that pointless. " Hey what the hell are you doing!?" The electric blue mare stared me down with velvet eyes, quickly drawing her ten millimeter automatic. The other mare stopped tugging on the box and stared with fearful yellow eyes. She cut her eyes between her rifle on the ground and me," Ok, calm down...I just-"

"Shut it, Hazel, pull it out already!" She aimed it with practiced steadiness, the other slowly tugged at the lunch box at her hooves. Still watching me, Hazel kept it up. I wanted to stop her, t I felt as soon as a sound left my mouth i'd be dead...," Just leave us be..."

"I will but-"

"Go! No talking, just go!" Her velvet eyes scared me a little as her face contoured with an angry look.

I took a deep breath, it'd suck to die when I only wanted to help," Please here me out..."

The mare trotted to me and smaked me down, Her hoof rested on my barding and her gun pressed against my face," What I say!? I said leave, no talking! How hard is that to do!?" The gun pressed deeper into my skull, I could see her tongue squeeze slightly on the trigger. The sub machine gun shacked in he mouth. Damn...damn....damn! I have to piss again...


A sickening wet explosion tour her away from me. She looked at her friend in horror as hazel lay there without her hoof, and botte caps lodged in her face. The mare screeched in an unnatural tone as she gurgled for the other mare to help her. The mare rushed to her side and held her in her hooves. She stared at her friend in a mix of sorrow and disgust. She looked up at me as I walked closer," I'm not here to hurt you...I tried to warn you..."

"Help her! Please! Please! Help her...please!" The mare pleaded and sobed. Dammit, I didn't want to help them...it'd cost me every potion I have...I opened my pouch. The potions were cheap. It'd take two to do the work of one. First thing first, we needed to take out the bottle caps and pieces of lunch box. The electric blue mare nodded when I told her what was needed. She whispered something to Hazel and she noded," You have something hard..."

"Wha- Oh yeah...heres a knife." 

"Have you done this before...?"

"No...."

"Just...try your best...please..." She placed the knife in the mares mouth. She handed me the mare I carefully set her down and began. I didn't want to dig out the bits with the knife...not yet. I took the bigger chunks first. I clamped down hard with my teeth and tugged the bottle caps out of her face. She squirmed but the mare held her down, still whispering something that soothed her.  I finished up, only a few whimpers this time. It could be that she was loosing to much blood and energy to react anymore than she did before. 

"Ok...the knife..."

The mare took the knife away," What...? No, I..."

"Shhhh, stay calm..."

"Easter...I can't do this much longer..." I started digging out the bits in her hide. She epped as I continued. Some were too deep, I hoped the potion could pick up the slack. 

"Hurry drink this..."

"Will this heal her leg...?"

"Doubt it. She'll heal up enough for you to take her to Rider. Docter there is a true prodigy. He'll fix'er up good." I lifted Hazel onto Easters back. I put her hoof in a pouch Easter had free." Keep straight that away, Rider isn't too far..."

Easter kissed my lips," Thank you stranger. If you hadn't taken the time to warn us, we'd be dead. Maybe the waste isn't completey lost." She stared in my eyes for awhile with a hardened look. She must have broken a lot of rules when It came to trusting me...Easter began to trot to rider. I couldn't bring myself to go after her, not terribly ready to pay that tab. Besides something caught my eye when I was helping them out.


~~~


The grave yard was pitiful really, but why not. Maybe I'll be a grave digger for now. Well...nah, but there could be some cool trinkets there. Maybe some more silver teeth. Not my favorite random treasure, but hell, why not. Dirt was being thrown over the side, I got closer. The dirt was getting kicked up fast. I could hear mumbling as I approached. Not that I cared much for meeting more crazy ass ponies but...

I saw a few more hoof prints around the grave. Were there others here? I looked at the cloak on the branch of a dead tree. It ruffled with the breeze that blew by. Well...not making friends up here, maybe this pony is more interesting than I'm thinking. I mean, sure, they dig up dead bodies but why not right? Fuck let just jump down already!"Hey-"

I couldn't speak. Seven bullets. Seven from a revolver...It was a crimson red, cream handle, Blood red seven. The bullets. They hit me so fast. I dropped quickly. I couldn't move, couldn't breath. One in the neck. Three in the chest. The others in my legs. So fast...my barding didn't even...Can't...can't....Mare...above me...mumbling something. I fucked my friends over because I had to piss. Over some useless tooth, I guess this is payback huh...Tried to be a hero...just one nice thing...now I can't even live long enough to know if it meant something. What an adrubt end...can't end this way...just...can't...

My eyelids grew heavy as I fought to keep them open, my breathing was faint. The mare above me sounded sincere but it didn't matter. I was dead, dying, whatever...Its over. At least I didn't die alone...
	
> Chapter Two: Kellum and Dizzy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Tired. Tired of waiting, waiting for the next scrap of food. If it can even be called that. I get tired of listening to stories of how ponies could change things. Thats all they were though, stories, dreams, what some pony wanted to be but was too scared to pick up the gun and pull the trigger. Instead, most ponies are the runnin type. The cowards. Shit, we'er all cowards aren't we? You got the most bullets, the better guns, you win. You get the drop on 'em, you win. You got more food, your a target, you got more food in ya...ya win. Simple, coward, tactics...A real hero, a real pony wouldn't need our shortcuts. There so high and mighty right?

"Hey! You done having your thirtieth introspective or did your brain finally fry from all that useless thinking you do!?"

Dizzy. My ghoul campanion. Says he hails from Canterlot. Didn't believe him, till I saw him take a torrent of buckshot. Allthough he was more than that. Even being a ghoul he was rather different. Decapitation doesn't kill him. Dismemberment only irritates him. I even saw his head get smashed to smithereens once, every little bit just crawled back into place. Most disgusting thing every witnessed. Flesh would just come on back, crawling like a rad roach. Squishing and sloshing...

"Seriously! I need help you ass! Stop with the deep thinking before your fat head explodes!"

"Alright, alright. Give me that shovel."

"Get it yourself!"

"Jeez Dizzy, can't ya just be a little less cranky?"

"Its not my fault that you couldn't find the only marked graveyard in Rider! How can you possibly get lost, its in the middle of nothing!" Dizzy threw the dirt out, shoveling with his rotted hooves," Sometimes I wish I could just die so I wouldn't be stuck with your incompetence!"

"You don't mean that, now come on. We got to get this over with already. I hate grave digging, makes me feel...wrong..." I never liked digging in graves. Defiling a ponies resting place made me sick. I wasn't a believer or anything. Never thought the goddesses were strong enough to make the waste land better so how could they be real. But just rustling the bones of a dead pony, felt like I was spitting in the spirits face or somethin. I donna know...I needed the caps to eat, Dizzy needed something for the pain. Something that didn't quite get easier with each shot and amputation he got.

"Stuff it Kellum, your a merc, whats it matter if your soul is rotten. Just-" Dizzy stopped, his hoof hit something hard," Ow, fuck! I found it! He's in there Kellum, finally!"

I shoveled the rest of the dirt and started pulling up the planks of the wooden casket. Wasn't anything special, for a legend you'd think he'd have his whole body covered in gold. My red combat armor clanked as I reached in to grab the decomposed corspe. Dizzy hoped up on ground level. A revolver lay in his crossed hooves, I wasn't interested. I heard enough stories to scare a virgin into a whore. I picked the revolver up and set it back inside the coffin. I lifted the body up, Dizzy grabbed the corspe and dragged it next to the dead tree," Alright, get your lazy ass up here!"

I was about to get up, but an orb caught my eye. I never seen anything like it really. It kinda looked like a perl, or it a least I thought a perl might look like that. Mama never got around to showing me what one looked like, always liked telling me bout the old world. I wondered if she ever knew about this? Had my suspicions that it must be some magic involved. I let it be, no point in taken something that could be worthless anyway. I scrambled to the top of the dig site. My brown coat made it difficult to know how dirty I was, but my yellow mane was always covered in muck. Easy to see. Hard to get rid of. Never had time for a shower, or time to find safe water...

"Kellum!" Dizzy growled in his hellish ghoul voice," Focus..."

"Sorry...just, thinking..."

"Its been three years since we started this expedition of ours, most of the time your always thinking...Don't you every wonder what it'd be like if you just didn't even worry about, ya'know, thinking?"

"I'd imagine i'd be like you..."

"Yeah, your point!"

"No point really. So, what do we have?"

"Lot of jewelry, you'd think he'd be a mare. Clothes are still nice...With this, and the other junk, 5,000 caps. Find anything else in that coffin?"

I shrugged," Just some orb...why?"

Dizzy's jaw dropped, almost fell off actually," You fucking brilliant asshole! You found a damn memory orb! Those things have to be with something, A unicorn might buy it, worth a shot, get it! Get it, get it, get it!

I hoped down again, we had dug out a crater just trying to get close to this damned casket. I hope he was right about that estiment. Should hold us over for a few weeks. If we'er lucky at least two full ones. I reached for the orb. It felt strange, I felt like I shouldn't have grabbed for it. I could hear my heart beat slowly, once, twice, three times...four...five...six...*cough* *cough*"Shit!" I spit out some mucus, drained from my nose. I didn't have time ta be all superstitious. I grabbed the orb and returned to Dizzy. We gathered up our findings, put them in the sac, put that on the kart, and wheeled it all to Rider.

"Did we really have to take the corpse?" I asked Dizzy as we headed to Rider. Shouldn't be too far now.

"I don't feel like taking all his crap off in the heat, makes me angry! Rather do it in the hut!"

"Everything makes you angry."

"Your damn right, the hut however is a lesser piece of shit compared to the goddessdamned sun!"

There it was again. He always said stuff like that. Never took him as a believer. Always bitter, hateful, don't know why we became friends. Sometimes I wasn't sure if he even considered me that. If we weren't, why would he stick around for three years? How old is Dizzy anyway?"Dizzy?"

"Yeah, what is it..."

"How old are you?"

Dizzy looked back at me and stopped,"Why?"

"Just curious. You say your a Canterlot ghoul. Most ghouls there where there when those bombs exploded long ago. Wouldn't that make you like, a two century old ghoul...?"

Dizzy turned around and snarled," Whats it matter!? So what, I came from Canterlot! Big fucking whoop! If I wanted to talk about my past I would, problem is, I never liked my past! Sure as hell not gonna talk about it!" Dizzy gritted his rotted teeth.

"Well, I just wondered if you ever believed in the goddesses?"

Dizzys expression softened. I never thought i'd see him drop his guard like this. He said plainly and clearly," No...not even for a second..." His eyes shifted to the left. I looked behind me and dropped to the ground. A whole army of raiders was moving slowly across a ridge. On a higher ground I saw what looked like a preacher with a mare by his side. They weren't running from the raiders though...what the hell?"Those idiots are going to get...wait..."

"Is that preacher leading them?"

Dizzy grumbled," We gotta leave...their looking at something else. Come on, lets get out of here..."

I wanted to watch, see what they were up to. Guess it wasn't that dire. Needed to sell this junk so I could eat something that wasn't smothered in radiation. Soon we found ourselves approaching Rider. We kept our gear close and our weapons closer. Dizzy liked his pistol. Me, I liked my brush. It did its job, modded and maintenance kept it my favorite gun for ten whole years. Condition was like new, and if not, better. We had just a few caps from our last run for two crappy drinks at the Rusty Pegasus. Never liked the name, not one pegasus in sight. Shuold've changed it really.

"Cheers...to, still being alive" I clinked my glass to Dizzys. He stared at his glass with some kind of a distant look. Like he was looking beyond the drink somehow.

"Two hundred and eight years...Thats how old I am," Dizzys voice cracked, I could hear his breathing slide out of the holes in his neck." Saw the greatest, wealthiest city fall...covered in pink cloud. Don't know how I kept my sanity...thought i'd be mindless by now. Guees it took an all out war just to find what I'm good at...staying alive." Dizzy furrowed his brow. He threw the cup at a table next to us...Unfortunately that table had a group of griffin mercs. Didn't seem very happy about the drink spilling over on there table. 

The head griffin rose from his chair.  He stared down at us with his red eyes, lots of chem use maybe. He's beak was cracked and a scar ran straight down the middle of his face. His barding was sleek, bright purple. Tapped his claw on the ground impatiently. " Well...?" he paused," An apology...no, it'd save you a lot of hurt ya'know. I hate being dissrepesteced by a bunch of puny ponies, especially a ghoul..."

"Why don't ya shove that threat up your ass feather weight, trying to sit here and sulk with my ass of a friend! Jeez, its like stupidity runs in the griffin blood line or something!"

The griffins weren't even wasting time, not a single word left there beaks. Battle saddles loaded up and took aim. Five distinct shots blew Dizzy away, his body flew into the wall. Different fluids leaked from his raged clothing. He lay there almost lifeless. I kept drinking, this was one of my favorite kind of moments. I liked watching idiots like this piss themselves when they can't oil something as annoying as Dizzy. "You! Dumbass, you see that? Your friend crossed us. If you got any sense you'd..."

"I'm trying to drink here buddy...plus, my friend isn't really getting the point. Maybe you should express you inqurys to him a little more." I took a swig from the mug and reached slowly for my brush gun.

The merc griffin stared at Dizzy, saw his flesh crawl back to his body. Other ponies watched in awe as well, his body rose slowly. He staggered and mumbled something I couldn't make out, not that I didn't have an idea, i'm sure it was something intelligent as it always is. " I told you griffin, to shove it!" Dizzy pulled his gun quickly, battle saddles unloaded. I fell backwards in my chair and put a few shots threw their wings. Made sure to ground them before this fight got unfair. Ponies started clearing out and grabbing drinks as they ran outside. I missed the wings of the griffin behind the leader, he swooped upwards and came down raining bullets on our heads. Dizzy stood in front of me and took every shot, at the same time he unloaded a clip into the griffins skull. He fell right on top of us, like a rock with wings. "You idiot! Your suppose to take out the wings! I hate air targets!"

"I missed, happens...Come on help me get this bastered off..." We tried shoving but the griffin was a lot heavier than I thought. I could hear the other mercs reloading. I wasn't new to the idea of shooting through a downed ally. Fuck, we can budge but not fast enough. At this rate..."Grenade, left pocket, ya see it?"

"Yeah, what about it!?"

"Grab one, throw it."

"Why don't you just get it! Does look like I can throw a grenade without splattering your remains all over the place!?"

"Not much choice Dizzy, you'll survive the shots. I won't, you gotta try. I can't move to it..."

Dizzy siged, looking at the pouch he ripped it open. All kinds of explosives rolled out onto the floor. Acid grenades, incineration bombs, plasma bombs, it was a buffet of Dizzys least favorite weapon. He picked up a standard fragmentation and threw it over the dead griffin," There its done!"

"Dizzy...did you even take out the pin?"

"The what? What the hell is that!?"

"It release the lever on the grenade! It makes it go boom you fool!"

"Fuck i'll try it again then!" 

Guns unloaded. Bullets whizzed by and ripped throughout the exposed parts of the griffin merc. They ate at the armor till there was nothing blocking the path of the other rounds. Dizzy grunted in pain, reaching out for one of the grenades got his hoof shot off. He shifted again, more rounds went through him. Some shots dented my armor, others pierced it. I could feel them, like they were still moving. I heard a familiar sound, clink sound. Griffins yelled, a big explosion came shortly after. Probally a good thing we were under this griffin because these winged pest were hoarding loads of explosives in there rucksacks. The owners of the bar, along with a few other ponies, helped pull the dead griffin off us. They didn't look entirely happy with us but they told us if we cleaned the mess up we'd be even. Turns out these griffins were harassing most of the patrons here, coming and going. Glad we could help I guess. I limped to the door of the saloon, told me the doc was as good as a whole staff."Thanks again Empty Bottle..."

"Just get patched up, need these corpses cleaned up. I can deal with the vomit, the urine, but not the rotting bodies...hurry up now your getting blood on the floor."

I chuckled at the mare. Very hospitable pony. Dizzy and me made our way to the docs. I wasn't found of doctor visits, tried my best to keep away from them. Heard stories about doctors who do experiments on ponies, while there still alive. I had a feeling that this one would be that kind...I hate doctors, always patch myself up. This time however was different. Wounds too deep, can't really concentrate much. Dizzys been yapping this whole time and I don't even remember when he started talking. Now that I think about it, i've stopped moving. Not exactly what I was planning but this'll do, i'll just pass out here then...

"Kellum! Kellum you better not pass out...! You ass...!"


~~~


"Here, take this just in case..." The doc gave me a few buff outs and some med-x. I wasn't keen on taking drugs, even the medical kind, but the pain was more then I could handle. I popped a few med-x and stored the rest along with the buff out in my puch. Looked over at Dizzy, reading...Dizzy can read? "Don't stress yourself, those bullets opened a hole in your chest. I used some potions to heal ya up, but that hole left some tissue in a weak state. Take it easy and it'll heal."

"Thanks doc, how much I owe ya..." I was hoping he'd be paitent enough to wait. Not really caring any money.

"First ones free, next time you show up half dead you better have some currency of some sort. I don't run a charity, its a legitimate business...Do me a favor though and don't make this an everyday thing. I like the pay that comes in...just get tired of healing up idiots..."The doc showed me out. I limped out the door, dizzy followed me.

"You read?"

"What? What kind of question is that? What else can a two century old fuck like me fill his time with!? Hated it when I had actual skin, now, its the one thing that reminds me that I don't have to deal with it in agony, all this shit!" Dizzy pulled our wagon, harness buckled around his frame,"...besides, you can learn some useful shit in those books. Maybe if you spent more time reading and less time thinking to death you'd learn a bit more. Implied knowledge isn't knowledge..."

Dizzy grunted and snarled as he pulled the heavy wagon. Our little treasures and trinkets rattled, every small rock we hit made them all shake and shift. He didn't complain about pulling it this time, with all the holes in me, I wouldn't be much help. I wondered what made Dizzy so mad all the time? I perished the thought, we were approaching two ponies with a brahmin pulled wagon. More efficient then doing it yourself, but we weren't exatclly well off enough to by something that needed to eat. We'd probably end up killing it and cooking it. The two ponies, a mare and a stallion, stood on each side of the brahmin. One was in some reinforced leather armor. The other was adorned in bramin skin overalls. Goggles on his mane and scarf around his neck. The mare had her mane in a ponytail and a combat helm. She took her goggles down and stared at me with a confused look. Dizzy set the wagon in front of them and unstrapped himself, he pulled the tarp back after that. We both laid out the different merchandise. Broken weapons, sky wagon parts, ok condition grenade launchers. Most of it was junk, but the merchant wanted to see what he could make of the stuff we found. Being a scavenger in the waste wasn't easy. Sometimes you never found anything, other times you'd hit the jackpot. We had a burnt radio and some kind of engine but it wasn't exactly worth much.

"This here, this is some interesting finds. None of it looks like it works but...I think I can make this work. How much you want for all this?"

Dizzy grunted, his eyes darted to me," Better if you ask the cripple. Hasn't been doing much but getting shot."

I chuckled, it hurt a little but thats fine," For all this junk, two thousand..."

The merchant raised his eyebrows, looked over it again," Ok...i'll do that..."

"For this junk..." I pulled the corspe out from the wagon. The merchant gagged and coughed, dizzy and me chuckled. "This right here is good for something right?"

"*ack* *cough* Um, I don't know if ya noticed. But I don't buy corpses..."

"No, not the corspe." I grabbed a few of the silver pieces from his person we were able to extract," This stuff here, its valuable, has to be. Got the corspe of a legend here." The merchant inspected the silver, the jewls caught his eye too. He grinned and looked over the corspe. He went over to his body guard and whispered something.

"What are they doing?" Dizzy asked as he reached for his pistol.

"Hey calm down...just give 'em a sec," I stopped his hoof from moving any higher. He mumbled and grunted.

The merchant turned back around ," Ok...whats your price?"

"ummm..." I thought on it, they looked interested in the metals. I didn't know if they were that valuable or if it was just some pretty metal. Doesn't matter to me..." Three and five hundred..."

He pondered on the price for a while," Alright...i'll throw in another five hundred for the whole corspe. Deal?"

"Yes! Here take this smelly thing!" Dizzy tossed the body over. The body guard caught it and glared at the ghoul. The merchant handed over the caps."I don't even care for counting it, sounds like a lot to me! Hahaha!"

"It was nice doing business with ya..."

"Wait...," I ran back to our wagon. I had almost forgotten about the orb. It glowed, like a star would, I reached for it. That feeling came over me again. I ignored it, picked it up and presented to the merchant. He looked confused, but after closer inspection he seemed amazed."Well...whats it worth?"

"Um, not much really, i'll give ya a thousand...maybe...I don't know, kinda worthless..." He couhed a little and patted his chest," Yeah, not much I could do with it. Thousand caps, i'll get it out of your way."

I looked down at the glowing orb. Dizzy said it was a memory orb, not like it wasn't impressive but what would I do with some other ponies memory? Dizzy was too busy counting the caps, guess he was so excited that he just had to do something with 'em. I rolled it around, a small letter rested on the bottom. I was a little curious but...its just a stupid orb. For a damn unicorn, witch I am not. We already got over five thousand..."Alright...i'll take that..."

"Ok then...here ya go. We'll be on our way, be careful out here..." The merchant left, moving towards the outskirts of Rider. The body guard stopped and looked at me. I wasn't sure why, she turned and continued to accompany the merchant. What was that about?

Me and Dizzy pulled the cart through the the ruins of the older part of Rider. Its said that there was some war here a long time ago, wiped everything out. The part of the town remaining was the smallest part of rider. Things is, that part isn't an average sized town. Always imagined the place being some big fortress, or castle. Mama use to tell me a lot about the princesses, and all their subjects. Maybe it was something like that? We kept most of the junk and threw the rest out, no point in keeping it I guess. We passed the sign that read: Welcome to Rider, getting close." Remember, gotta watch for those damn lunch boxes..."

"What asshole sets up a bunch of mines right outside of a town! Its shit like that doesn't make sense, unless these ponies are filled with caps, I don't want to see there insides fly everywhere!" Dizzy picked up the pace," Come one lets hurry up, i'm getting all sticky in this fucking heat!"

"Yuck, sticky?" I gagged," Anyway, didn't take you for the kind of pony ghoul to not like it when ponies explode."

Dizzy looked back at me with a cold stare," Stupidity is sad, lost its funniness a long time ago for me. Nothing makes me madder than some greedy bastard expecting to get rich, don't even think that it might be a trap until its too late." Dizzy sighed," At least you aren't a fucking idiot..."

I smiled," Well than-"

"Maybe your a little stupid, but not a complete idiot..."

My smile was wavering in its strength to hold up, I just nodded," Gee, thanks..."

We reached our shack, it was worn down and leaked like pony full of bullet wounds with a drinking problem, but, it was home and home is...smelly I guess. We put the left over scraps in the foot lockers, stashed the weapons and started sorting through the caps. I could finally get my guns repaired, some clean water maybe, and food that doesn't turn my shit into strange colors for once. Dizzy wasn't eager to spend money but even an undying ghoul has everyday desires. I know he wanted a better slide for his pistol, maybe a grip that didn't taste like burnt ass.

"How do you even use that thing?" Dizzy pointed to my brush gun. I never gave it thought, sometimes i'd stand up on my hind legs, sometimes i'd use my mouth. Always thought it akward but when your still more alive then the pony shooting you up then ya can't complain much. 

I held up the rifle and smiled," I just manage however the situation calls for me to. The wide trigger makes it easy for my hoof to pull back on when i'm standing straight up though, saw a few ponies do it before. Pretty damn effective if ya ask me.

"I didn't..." Dizzy said flatly,"....but that is a smart choice, couldn't do it myself. I was thinking of making my pistol an automatic, think it'll be worth it? 

"Why not we got the money, i'm feeling hungry though..."

Dizzy sighed," You and your needs, fine lets get some grub for you obeseness!"

I chuckled, his cruelty never dulls," Your a real asshole Dizzy..."

"Yeah well-," Dizzy stopped mid sentence. His red eyes darted to his pistol then back behind me, then to my eyes. He had a pissed look on his face but it wasn't directed at me.

My rifle was still in hoof, I was ready to cock the lever but a feminine voice spoke from behind me with a stern reassurance of my life ending quickly If I were to finish that action..."You, and him, Kellum and Dizzy. You have something i'm looking for.

"Can I turn around first?"

"Slowly..." I turned," Gun, on the floor. Ghoul, yours too. If you comply no pony gets an unwanted death. I got word from the towns people that your grave robbers, is that correct?"

"Entrepreneurs of the finer things of life that include digging through a corpeses grave, thats us." I smiled, she looked at me with a raised eyebrow. I noticed her revolver, it couldn't be...

"Who the hell are you!? And have you ever heard of knocking you rude bitch!"

She disregarded him. She didn't mind the name calling, but her revolver floated even closer to Dizzys head," I heard you don't die, but getting your head blown off can still be bothersome. Please, tell me if you have the orb or not. I need to have it in my posetion before its too late. The fate of the waste land depends on it..."

Dizzy broke into a fit of laughter," Oh boy, fate of the waste land huh!? Haha, this is just rich!"

The unicorn was loosing her patience, she put a round into Dizzy's chest. He stopped laughing and held his chest. Seething in anger and spite he tried to jump at the unicorn. Magic enveloped him and tied him to his chair. Yellow magic belts wrapped around his legs." I don't have time for this! If you don't tell me were the orb is, I'll kill your friend. The revolver  pressed against my head. I could feel the burning metal sear at my flesh. I hissed in pain.

"Fucking crazy bitch..." Dizzy mumbled,"...we sold it ok, to some merchants. Had a brahmin, said something about a hut next to one of those old post office buildings in Old Rider..."

She eyed Dizzy, sized him up. Her gun withdrew and she holstered it behind her ragged robes. The mare wasn't sure whether to trust him or to just out another round in him from the look of things." You actually treasure the friendship you have with this pony. I figured you were just a greedy partner...I'll take your word for it..."

The mare took a look at me and turned to the door," I hope you find what your looking for..."

The mare stopped, paused for a while," My name is Sweat Peas...and i'm sorry for this, and thank you..." 

Sweat Peas left the hut and closed the door. The belts on Dizzy disappeared and he slumped to the floor." Fucking shit that hurt, whats with her?!"

I trotted over to Dizzy, picked him up and started inspecting his wounds." You'll be fine, flesh is reconnecting. Your always fine anyway, so stop yer whining."

"Fuck you...I'm just gla-"

The door opened quickly, a familiar clinking sound along with a distinctive thud caught our attention. The cramped space was ideal for such a weapon and the timing was perfect. I wasn't expecting to die in such a way. I was a little hopeful when I realized only one of us would die. The problem with that logic was clear when I realized that this weapon was specialized for the soul purpose of complete magical obliteration. Before we could share that knowing glance that'd this'd be it the device ignited. The flames burned first then the magic hit. It was fast...too fast. Should have shot her, years have made me soft I guess...

The thought that entered my head...before it was over...what was so damn important about that silly orb?
> Chapter Three: Sweat Peas
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The after shock shook the door to the hut. Blue smoke slithered from underneath. Those grenades shouldn't be carried by a bunch mercs. That kind of power to chem addicted fools is too great. However, it got the job done. I can't have them getting in my way...Maybe I could have...no, what's done is done. My beige coat was filthy with dirt. I wondered how long I've actually been out here searching for this orb. It started with at least seven of us, trying hopelessly to track down the origins of this orb. Ever since our informant told us about what that damned abomination was going to do with it...we had to act fast. 

I continued towards Old Rider to find these merchants. This mission has lead me all over the waste. Watching friends die, doing regrettable things...That stallion, in the graveyard...


~~~


"Filthy bug..." I had gotten done killing a rad scorpion. It was the biggest I've seen yet. My gun was finally out of ammo from the ordeal. Its been several months but I finally found Rider, or at least the ruins of the older city. We had chased some clues down that told us that the orb was hidden in the grave of a legendary gun slinger. It was rumored that he had mastered any and all weapons. Lots of other stories surround this mythical pony. I didn't believe this curse, but it didn't matter if I did or not. What's important is that I get to that grave before some other pony gets to it. Not much further...

Smoke rose to my right, I wasn't alone out here, but I had no friends around. I was curious as to what it could be...I haven't the time for exploration. I came all this way to desecrate the resting place of a pony long gone. I just want this to be as quick as possible. There's nothing more disgusting than disrespect. I ventured further and further from the old town. The graveyard finally came into view.

"Finally, I can end this ridiculous journey...," I smiled as I walked forward, but the grave had been dug out. Nothing left at all. I jumped in and searched frantically for the orb, hoping that it was overlooked...no luck. No...no! I was so close! I was almost...My ears shot up. A noise behind me, I saw the handle of a gun. My magic whipped it around quickly.

"Hey-"

Seven shots before the pony could utter another word. He dropped...eyes wide in surprise. Guns, still holstered...

I could have sworn that he laughed before he passed. Eyes staring into mine. He was actually quite handsome for such a dirty stallion. If I had only...I'm so tired of making these damn mistakes. I couldn't make it through our mission without dooming everyone I've traveled with. Now this poor buck is dying in my hooves...because I was too jumpy...He lay there, shaking, his eyes closed slowly" For-forgive me...please, I'm sorry. I just, I was..." I was scared, I rarely feel that. Now, I felt like a murderer. I've killed many ponies, but this actual felt like murder. The one death in this forsaken place that makes me want to shed tears...I can't stop now, ponies will die no matter what I do. If I must burn Rider to the ground to find the orb...


I climbed up out of the grave, I floated the revolver over in my magic and placed it in my holster. A strange weapon...needed more ammo though. Rider should have some. I had a moment of silence for the stallion, I didn't even know his name. The grave was unmarked I guess this'd be perfect. I started putting dirt in the grave, but something was bothering me. I didn't finish and galloped away quickly. The town wasn't too far away, I reached a store, it sold weapons, ammo, and even a few potions and assorted aids. It seemed to be a general store, complete with useless trinkets. Snow globes...who would every waste their time on that...?

"Do you have ammo for this gun?" I floated over the revolver. The black stallion looked it over, with one eye I might add. The other eye, sorry, where the other eye would be was covered in scratch marks and scars. He had a large nose ring the reminded me of a bull I saw in slave camps. His ears were damaged, bitten, mane and tail were grey at the roots, black on top. He nodded and pulled out a few drawers from behind him. The rounds were strange...they had seven red stripes one them...

"That gun ya got there, I'd be carful. Thing is cursed..." he picked through the rounds," How many?"

"Twenty-eight for now...what do you mean cursed?"

"See that seven, it ain't no lucky number...belonged to some trashy hero wannabe. Made a deal with a devil pony. Bad energy with that gun. Never had any use for these rounds until you show'd up. Same size as some of the rifle rounds, just won't fit for some reason." He picked through the rounds quickly and scooted them over. I floated them into my pouch." Just be careful...any pony near that damn thing, it ends in tragedy. No such thing as a happy ending and such..." He smiled with crooked teeth.

"Thanks for that...how much?"

I paid for the rounds and headed out, should have gotten more potions. I saw the bar across the street. I trotted over to see if I could find out something. There had to  be some little detail, some clue left behind that could tell me who dug up that damn grave...and I found that little clue...well, three dead feathered mercs...maybe...

"Hey! Any pony know who killed these griffins!" I got blank stares and some looks that were more...I don't even want to go there. Most ignored me, others tried to peek up my cloak. I asked again, or I tried to. The bartender stopped me.

"Hey, lady, please, no more yelling. The two ponies your looking for just ran off to the doctor. I'd recommend that you didn't disturb the doc though. He doesn't like being interrupted. I'm pretty sure your not trying to find 'em for conversation so...don't kill'em until they clean up this fucking mess."

"....I just need to talk to them..."

"Sure you do..." The bartender went back to serving drinks.

I eyed the griffins. Most of there body parts were spread across the tavern. I trotted over to their corpses and picked through there bags...its all broken and melted. I searched the more intact one, may have hid under this one, shot him right out the air...crazy ponies, this thing crushed them...there's no way that both of them walked away from an aerial strike from a trained mercenary. I grabbed a grenade from the merc. A blue band covered it, but it wasn't an emp. A red dot was on the band...what's a merc doing with this...Dammit, he sent them...

I trotted quickly to the doctors building. Half of it was collapsed but the entrance lead to the main part of the building. I thought of the warning I got from the bartender but I had no time left. If mercs were that close to those ponies with the orb...there could be any number of ponies and mercs alike looking for them or it. He would just have to understand. I entered the hospital and barged into the operating room.

"Who the hell are you!?" Get the hell out!"

"I need information..."

"Read a book, if there's any left in this backwards shit hole..."

"I need information on two ponies, came in from killing three mercs..."

The doctor looked at me with a scowl," Go fuck yourself scribe. I know what your going to do if I tell you. I know your type, your probably telling yourself that your not going to kill them but you will...so no, go somewhere else for you info..."

"I need to know! Now, you will tell me!"

The doctor's scowl deepened and he pulled a small pistol from his lab coat. My revolver was drawn almost by itself with my magic. I shot the pistol from his mouth then shot his ear. "Argh! You fucking...! Fine I'll tell you!"

"Good...were'd they go, whats there names?"

"Kellum...Kellum and Dizzy. Dizzys a ghoul, can't miss 'em..."

"A ghoul? He must be a Canterlot ghoul then. Maybe that explains them surviving that air attack. Tell me, tell me where they are!"

"What's your problem? Why should I, give me a good reason!"

I pressed the gun to his head," I'm done being nice doctor. Tell me and I won't leave this town without its healer...tell me, you must know."

"I guess I kinda gave that away huh? Just came up during some small talk with the ghoul...Not to far out from here. Just on the outskirts, they got a little hut...happy now?"

"Thank you doctor, you've saved more lives than you think after this..."

I left the doctor to treat himself. I hesitated to leave, our mission was to make sure we got rid of any pony who would even know of our existence, or what we were doing. It got to the point were the body count didn't weigh equally with the missions focus. It was unnecessary. We needed to get closer to the orb before silencing ponies...I had to get rid of them...they had it, but I need to rest. I need time. a few hours...


~~~


So many regrets  but I must keep moving. I sighed, wiped my eyes and continued to the merchant's huts. I needed to find them before it was too late. As I walked through to Old Rider I noticed a pony following me. I ducked into a corner...I pulled the revolver from my holster...I jumped from the corner when I heard the hoof steps close in."Stop! Why are you following me!"


An electric blue mare, I haven't seen her in town, why is she..." Did you...?" The mares eyes watered up, here velvet eyes looked right through me. Her white mane was frizzy and a little stained with blood," Did you kill him? I saw him, in that grave, that cloak that was left behind...I saw you leave the doctors building...Followed you. Then you killed those two scavengers..."

"You...you knew him?" I was devastated, destroyed. I took some pony away from another..."I...I didn't know..."

"No, just stop it. You didn't even give mercy. You shot him seven times, seven! You could have shown some respect." The mare stepped closer," You took something good out of the waste, Something worth killing for..."

"J-just stop moving...please!" 

"You better be ready, to fucking kill me!"

The mare pulled out a machine gun and started spraying, she closed the distance quickly. I slipped behind the wall. She bended the corner and put the gun to my neck. I had the revolver to her face." I don't want to do this..."

"Then i'll give you two options..." She pressed the gun to me deeper,"..one..two...three...," Her eyes, they looked so hurt. I started loosing myself. My magic faltered, her gun shook. I couldn't...I don't want to do this...,"...four...five...s-six..."

But I don't want to fucking die!

"...seven..."


~~~


I found the house, it was in Old Rider like Kellum and Dizzy told me. I was starting to regret this mission more and more. I lost all of my friends. I kill just about anything that startles me. And that mare, she had so many chances to kill me. She had so many chances. Why did she...why did she do that.

...There was a brahmin outside. She spotted me and started yelling something." Hey! Yeah you...!"

"Hey keep it down, Gauge'll get all pissy again."

"Oh whatever, he's a great pony and all but he's such a dick!"

"Amen to that, but calm down alright. This mare looks all depressed and stuff..."

I stared at the brahmin, they can talk..." Ummm, So there's merchants here right?"

"Yeah, well just one, that'd be Gauge. Inette is his bodyguard. He got too injured to fight the way he use to..."

"What happened to him..." I asked unsure if I wanted to know something so personal...No! I will not kill these ponies...

"Just a lot of different things I guess. He was tortured, abused, one time he told us he was in an explosion. I don't believe him on that but he swears its happened. He's been stabbed in the legs a couple of times. Gauge has just been through a lot of trauma, can't shoot as well or fight as good, but he's one tough bastard."

"Ok, thank you..."

"What are you doing!? Are you crazy, you can't just walk in!?"

I pushed the door open slightly," If they kill me, then its what I deserve..."I opened the door. "Don't Sho-"...before I could finish,  pain erupted quickly in my head. I fell hard to the ground...nothing but blackness. The stallion walked up to me, I saw he's blurry face. Old hardened eyes seemed familiar. I staggered slowly to my hooves. "I said don't shoot..."


~~~



After talking to the two ponies, I was able to gain access to the orb. I was surprised that this transaction didn't end in blood shed. I felt great about the future. I trusted these ponies, I did something I shouldn't have, I dwelled into the orb while still in there presence. Maybe they'll see that as a sign of respect? I tapped my horn against the orb, The world around me faded around me...


~~~


My host was a stallion. He had a burning sensation in his chest. It was before the bombs, I could tell because the sky was simply beautiful. The sun seem to be setting over Equestria. The clouds were shades of blues and purples. My host seemed to admire this scene until a mare walked in, a zebra mare...

"Gonna miss that sky. So, we ready dear?"

"We have had some complications, I'm sure we'll sort it out before the time comes." The zebra sat in an office chair in front of the stallion. He sat down at his desk, straightened up his tie. I noticed he was wearing a black suit, the tie had a mixture of black and white stripes going parallel. One red stripe stood out the most. I could feel his mouth curl up, a smile. A warm feeling rustled through his body, the mare blushed." Dare...I appreciate what you've done for me..."

"But...," The stallions smile persisted, even though the news sounds rather on the bad side.

"...we can't be together Dare. My cover as a double agent is straining my loyalties with my own clan. I wish I could...I just can't Dare..."

The stallion chuckled," Oh please, cut the shit Talimane. You wanna call it quits, I'll believe when I see it. I see how you look at me. Don't think I don't notice that smile..."

The zebra frowned, she adjusted her suit and huffed," The combination for that vault, the one with your gift inside. I have them with me. But we can't discuss this in your office..."

"Oh? And why not dear, we've already said so much," I felt my lips, rather, my host lips widen into a thin grin. It felt as if his face was about to split wide open.

The zebra blushed furiously, she wasn't amused but a look in her eye told me that she wasn't completely upset with him either," I don't care what that pink pony knows...but this is something I won't leave to chance. No matter what happens, they will not be able to stop the reckoning. But this is for you eyes only, and whoever else seems appropriate..."

Dare leaned back in his chair," Ok...we'll reconvene at a later time and head to this vault..."

Talimane smiled, she rose from the chair and trotted over to him. Her eyes had an attractive, sultry look in them. I wasn't attracted to mares, but she was an exception. How could she like this monster? I know she was the enemy such a long time ago but...She leaned in to him. I could feel her breath hit my neck, I shivered. I didn't want to be in this position but I accepted it. The kiss wasn't too long...nor was it bad, just the fact that I was in some other ponies body made it hard to concentrate. I felt disoriented and a little startled when her tongue moved inside slowly. When she backed away, a knife, its point, rested on Dare's chest," I admire you Dare, I believe your a wonderful asset. I...I even think I love you. But if you betray me...if you..." Talimanes hoof started to shake.

"I risked everything for you. I gave up my old job, my family, I did this for you. Just trust me ok. I've gained the trust of a few strong standing ponies and I believe I'll be able to see this mission through. Then me and you can have an actual kiss that doesn't end like this..." Dare took the knife from the zebra, she looked me dead in his eyes. A scornful look on her face. Why did zebras always look so mad?

"Say it...say it or I'll rip you tongue out through your neck..."

Dare cleared his throat, I could feel that warm feeling burn in his chest. He was getting uncomfortable again. Heart burn? "I love you Talimane..."

They kissed again, she quickly withdrew from him and began walking through the front door," Now come, our meeting is  a little sooner than expected..."

The memory actually skipped through them walking through the office and out to the streets. A sign told me it was Hoofington. The memory blurred and there walk to the vault was being revealed. I felt queasy, I wondered if that was him or me. Talimane and Dare were accompanied by two other ponies. One was a pegasus mare and the other was a earth pony stallion. They kept eyeing the zebra every now and again when they would check behind them. I've seen that look before, they weren't completely trusting of this mare, but they were ready to betray all that they knew for something...what was it though?

Dare groaned," Talimane...are you alright with this...?"

"No, but I'm doing this for you, so shut up. We're almost there..."

The vault didn't look complete but it was still protected by the code that needed to be inputted to the terminal. Taliman punched in the code. She told the three ponies the combination out loud.

"Zero, two, one, zero, four." She paused and pulled the leaver down," Thats the first step...Two, two, three zero." Talimane pulled the lever one more time," That was the second code...zero, six, one, zero, zero..." The leaver was pulled again. A cranking noise echoed through the landscape and gears churned and cranked. The door pulled back and rolled over into the side and the vault was open. Zebras held guns up to the ponies that stood outside. "Stand down! Now!" The zebras followed the order, reluctantly. My host's chest started to burn again, stress?

"I could have lived without the show of strength Talimane..." Dare clutched his chest, our chest.

"Sorry my love I..."

Talimane's eyes widened. She blushed. The pagasus giggled," Wow Dare, really? Your banging the zebra bitch. Guess that explains a lot."

"Cool it Slipstream. We're here for one thing, stop making wise cracks, this is serious..." The earth pony spoke, with a very deep voice. It boomed and rumbled. I wondered how these ponies could do this...? Was their cause not grand enough for them to resist the urge to betray it?

"Its fine Squash, yes I am banging the zebra bitch. If you know what's good for you Slipstream, you'll show her some respect. I wouldn't want to let her loose on you..." Dare cackled at the pegasus's frown. The pegasus mare turned to the zebra and apologized quickly. I didn't since any truth in it but Talimane and Dare didn't seem to notice or even care for that matter. The burning sensation came back, but this time it felt comforting. Whats wrong with this pony?

"You , come. We have your gift here. Its in the middle of this vault..." The Zebra appeared from the hall leading inward to the vault. He stared at Talimane, then at Dare. He didn't seem bothered by it. His eyes met with mine, I felt like he was trying to tear me out of him. Dare mumbled something and started making his way to the hall.

"And my friends here...?" 

"They'll stay put for now. I trust you, even with my daughter, but that'll stop at that. You need to inform me when you bring guest."

"Sorry...of course..."

The zebra stallion was adorned in a red garb .Draping ends of the robe were tied to his legs with gold bands. His neck had gold bangles around them. Cold black eyes stared deep into Mine, and Dare's eyes. I was afraid of this zebra. I'm glad his dead. There was a scar under his eye, it looked cracked and dry.

"What happened there?" Dare turned his head to ask. They were walking down a long corridor. A large opening lead to some glowing sphere at the end of the hall.

"Sword turned against me in battle...Stabbed right through the eye. I was dead for some time, but a pony brought me back, my entire squad had been revived. Foolish pony...the second attempt was a bit messy, but I got more of us out this time, That time..." The zebra grunted," That burn in your chest..."

"What?"

"I can tell, when your face contorts a bit. Your eyebrows twitch, just at the corners...it must be some immense pain. How is t you hide it so well?"

"How did you...?" Dare paused, he dismissed his question and began again," Ok, yes, I have this...condition. I don't know what it is, had it since I was born. Couldn't cure it with magic, just lived with it."

"You've gotten close enough to my daughter, she knows when it affects you doesn't she? I was never really keen of working with ponies, but I took a chance. I was furious with her taking a liking to you. I gave that a chance as well. I must insist, why betray your country?"

Dare's face contorted. I was familiar with this feeling. He stopped before they got to the end of the hallway," I respect you, your daughter, but thats my business. I don't deem it important, won't change a damn thing if you know or not..."

The zebra looked surprised, after a while he smiled," Fine...I just thought I'd ask. Your right though. It's none of my business." Dare turned back to the hallways exit," Here it is, our gift to you. We will try and minimize the size, make it easier to transport. When we'er done we can hand it over to you and you'll be able to carry out your wishes. I'm sure what you plan to do with a megaspell is none of my business either..." The zebra smirked.

"I plan on making sure I get what I deserve in this life..." Dare's lips curled up wide again.

He started to laugh under his breath. The glow of the mega spell was alluring, I felt terrified but at the same time, captivated, intrigued. Such a powerful weapon should not be in the hands of such a reckless monster...

The memory faded away, the world I left came flashing back...


~~~


Dare, he wants this orb to remember that damned code. He must believe that the mega spell is still active. Whether it is or not, I cannot allow him to have this. It will not happen, I won't let it..."Its as I feared...thank you. I will see to it that your rewarded..."

"Just do what you have to Sweat Peas...Sorry about the bullet though." Gauge patted the bandage, very considerate of them.

"I deserve much worse...,"  much worse than a scratch from a bullet...I eyed Inette, I remembered the connection that the zebra shared with Dare. Even if there love was shady, I felt that Inette was holding something back from her campaion. Was it wrong to feel an obligation...?" And Inette...?"

Inette rasied her head, she looked in my direction, " Yes?"

"Tell him..."

"Excuse me!"

I wanted to say more but the look on Guage's face distracted me. I turned to the door, I focused...No...

We were followed...
	
> Chapter Four: Gauge and Inette...*sigh* and Betty the Brahmin...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Cute!"

"Yeah, super cute!"

"Funny, handsome, and probably really hung too!"

"Betty shut up, we've talked about your rambling. Don't make sow your mouth shut..." The two headed brahmin glared back at me but obeyed. I sat back in the wagon chair, goggles snug, cigarette lite. Doesn't really get any better than that. Been seven years on this side of the waste. Could have picked a better spot, could have picked a worse one. Just too much shady business from here to Old Mane. Gotta get this junk into shape, make some caps out of it. Faster we sell this orb though, the better. I knew it was risky but who's gonna know? Its not like those two idiots are gonna know were we are right? Even if they manage to spill our location we'll be kickin dust east before any pony notices. Besides, with Inette covering my ass, i'll be safe...


"You should be nicer to them Gauge, they do what you ask and they respect you for what you did for them. You could ease up on the tough pony act." Inette came from the back, just finishing strapping down most of newer inventory and a new passenger. Don't usually buy dead bodies...

"This an't an act Inette, this is how it is. And don't go saying that stuff out loud..."

"You know its true, and it is an act. Stop being so damn arrogant..."

"What the hell has gotten in your saddle? Did I hurt you or something?"

Inette glared at me, great,"You saved me from myself more times then i'd like to remember. I owe you my life. I just wish you'd take that more seriously. Betty and me, you mean a lot to us. We'er your family..."

I groaned, I hated when she did that. II hated being reminded of all that shit in the past. Its in the past so it can stay there, not so it can come back and visits for a week. I just want to sit back, smoke on this filthy cigarette and relax while my goggles cut the circulation from my face. Ya'know, just deal with the waste land, not women...Dammit, I do love these two...er, three? Urgh, doesn't matter, I went through so much just to keep them alive. And I kept doing it over the years. Gotten older, bones ache, can't hold a rifle the same way anymore. Get tired and cranky. Just wanna lay in the waste and rot sometimes. These two or three...Is Betty...fuck it. They are indeed my family, I just wish I could admit it, say it, but I had a family. Beautiful kids, wonderful wife. Had and old world service, never thought of it at first, thought my mare was crazy when she wanted to get married. Now, I just wish we could have gotten married everyday. Why not? Its fun, get to wear a nasty suit, kiss, go on a honey moon and get crazy. Bet the cake tasted better though, our cake had lots of different flavors. Could blame the cook. How do you burn icing?


We were getting further and further from rider. It was a nice place, Empty bottle and her sister are good ponies. But, it was full of cheapskates. Had to get way from that place. Made a little money but I'd rather go back to making weapons, fabricating ammunition. Those Readeamers knew how to live. Lost track of them though but ever since then i've been trying to find what suits me best in the waste. Hard to pin something down really.

Inette took her helmet off. She sighed," This heat is too much..."

"Not as bad down south, they get heat so bad that ponies burn alive. Cooked in their own skin..."

Inette grumbled," Can I just complain about something without you telling me something gruesome?"

"We live in a gruesome world. Been here too long to not notice it all ya'know?" We hit a bump. Heard a metal clanking sound when we hit it. Told Betty to stop, and she did. Inette raised her eyebrow at me, I looked at her sternly. She nodded her head and jumped out after me. I wasn't too surprised to see it but there it was, a whole mine field. Bunch of bottle cap mines. Who the hell took the time to do this? It was further away than the ones from rider though. There were some near the welcoming sign.

"Think its Raiders?"

"Maybe...they could be from the war. Nah, there not that old. Had to be when currency was switched over. But the war that took place in Rider, the one years ago. About ten years ago there was a huge showdown between these two warlord wannabes. Gathered up a bunch of guns for hire, some chem addicts...had a big bloodbath. You wanna know who won?"

Inette rolled her eyes," Doesn't really matter to me Gauge. Lets keep moving alright. That wagon train we saw earlier was fresh. I don't want to end up like them."

"Yeah...your right. Strange thing about that wreckage, there was some blood streaking from underneath a wagon. Like a pony just dragged themselves from under it. Probally dead now...poor pony...Alright lets go, mind the mines now!"

"Yeah, yeah, hurry up and get in ya old bastard!" Betty waited until we were in the wagon then took off. She stampeded through the mines.

"Betty what the hell are you doing!?" Some of the mines exploded and others just bumped against the wooden wheels. Wha the hell! Why is she...?!

"WOOOOOOOO!"

"This is fun huh!?"

"Betty this isn't a good idea!" Inette held on to the seat as the mad brahmin raced through the exploding streets of Old Rider.

"You crazy Bitch!"

Betty came to a complete halt and I shot right out of the wagon. Went flying, hit the door of our hut. My head was ringing, blood poured from my nose. I tried to stand but I ended up falling down again." Sorry Guage, guess we got a bit carried away!" Betty snickered as Inette hoped down off the side of the wagon.


~~~


Five years I was a slave. Three was spent trying to find my family. Some old family debt that followed me somehow. These asshole, they come out of nowhere demanding money, say that they'll execute us all if we don't pay up. The alternative wasn't any better. Some sympathizer suggested being and indentured servant. Basically meaning i'd be a slave. I wasn't treated too bad but i'd rather not share my experiences with the different masters. Got a scar for each one of them. Some scars that don't appear on the skin...Got tired of being owned, last master I had, choked'em to death. Escaped and bought a few others with me. I spent three years with a bunch of slaves searching for my family after that. They probably moved on...probally dead. Couldn't blame 'em either way really. I was young...thirty something...its been...shit...almost twenty years. Fucking waste, fucking waste of a life. Could've just killed those fuckers, I was just too fucking scared! Too fucking soft! I'd murder a whole goddessdamned family if thats what it took! I'd have done anything...anything...


~~~


"Fuck!"

"Hold still." Inette swabbed my cut. Bridge of my nose split right open. I swear, that brahmin is asking for it. "If you would have been a little nicer she wouldn't have done that. You know she can be a little...well she can be an ass."

"Ya think, ya really think so!?" I siged," I'm just on edge I guess. We gotta get this orb as far away from Rider as possible. Can't stop in this hut for long..."

"Once we sell it, we'll be rich. What should we do with it all?" Inette dabbed the rag again with whisky. Didn't want to waste potions, I didn't want to waste whisky.

"Retire, stockpile, wait for these assholes to blow themselves sky high."

Inette dabbed my cut again," You really think its that unstable...that it could..."

"Yes, and when it does, we'll be long gone. They would have gotten there filthy hooves on the orb soon enough, might as well milk it for all its worth before the fuck this miserable place up even more." I brushed away Inettes hoof," Thats good enough..."

I trotted to my cot. I was tired. This day only made me feel even more so. I just wanted to rest and get on with the next day. I took off my hat and and laid my goggles next to them on the table. The hut was small, just enough room for the two of us, Betty was outside. Thin sheets and a rotting mattress was what kept us comftable."G-goodnight Gauge..." Inette called out on the other side of the room.

"Turn the lamp off when you get in the bed...and goodnight Inette..."


~~~


She stared up at me, apologizing with those pitiful eyes. They were puffy and red. Her eyes were naturally red though, the irises of course. Her clothes were messy, stained. It looked as if she had been crying too. I approached her slowly but she flinched. Her eyes shut tightly when I raised my hoof. The feeling in my chest tightened, I felt pity, then I felt dirty for pitting my only friend in this world. She forced her eyes open and yelled something. Before I could answer she was holding my legs, hugging them, she was squeezing tighter and tighter. I wanted to kick her off, scold her. She was weak...I was weak without her. I let her cry into my hooves. A few tears dropped from my face. The scars on her legs, the dried blood. The bruises, the bight marks, she was shaking...I thought, I could end her pain, kill her, save her from this world...no, i'll let her suffer. She's all the family I have left...


~~~


"Pass me that over there...Thanks...alright, I think thats it."

We had finally finished packing up the loot. I strapped a small pistol to my underside just in case. Don't even know if i'll be able to hold it steady. Damn hooves are fucked, teeth are chattery, rather have a weapon then none though. Inette loaded her assault rifle. Made it herself, I helped...mostly. Picked her out of a line of ponies for hire. Needed some pony permanent, a pony I could trust with my life. Put her through the test and she passed, one thing about her stood out though. The one thing that made me doubt her, she's been so good for a while now. 

Inette trotted to the door," I'll check on Betty..."

"Hey Inette...thanks..."

"All I did was pass you a knife Gauge..."

"No, not that dammit, I mean thanks for...thanks for having my back. I'm not the same stallion I use to be." Inette paused, she smiled and reached for the door. I heard something though...something, some pony...,"Inette!" I whispered loudly.

She stared at me with a confused look," Wh-"

I motioned for her to be quiet, she reluctantly listened. I pointed to my gun then pointed at her. She raised an eyebrow, thought it over then unsheathed her rifle from her back. She inched her way back to the table. She leaned against the table holding the rifle level with it. The door opened slowly...

"Don't sho-"

The feminine voice was cut short once Inettes bullet burst through the air. The bullet struck the mare in the head. Strange, no splatter. " Hold your fire. Keep that gun on her though." I slowly made my way to the mare. She was a scibe, unicorn, with the steel rangers i'd think. She had a couple of grenades, and a interesting looking revolver. Still in the holster. Opps...

"I said don't shoot..." The mare groaned. She held her head and staggered upward. Her horn started to glow.

"Hey, no tricks!" Inette took aim," Next shot will blow your head off!"

The mare stared at Inette," If I wanted you dead...Please, I'm just pulling out a potion. I didn't realize how little you'd tolerate visitors."

"How about you start with who you are before you start getting smart. Hate to have our first house guest to end up murdered in cold blood..."

The mare siged, she drunk the potion and wiped her face," I'm Sweat Peas..."

"Ha! Ha, ha...ahhahaahaaaha! Your what!?"

"My name is Sweat Peas, i'd apriciete it if you showed a little respect. You showed me more of that when you shot me..." Sweat Peas cleared her throat, I stopped laughing for her sake. Was pretty damned funny though." I'm here for something you two have. An artifact that could have dire effects on the waste. I need that orb, I know you have it, and i'll kill you both for it..."

Inette's hoof lightly grazed the trigger," You'd really kill us both, for some stupid orb?"

"You know its worth, or you wouldn't have risked bringing it here! Your both already in danger! The ones who seek that orb have already sent hunters, scavengers, and bounty hunters to find it! Their paying high prices for that orb. They don't care who dies over it! Give the orb to me and save yourself the trouble...!" Sweat Peas stared at me with wide, intimidating eyes, but they pleaded with a familiar sincerity. She might have a silly name, she might be a little assertive, but I believed her. Fuck the caps, I just wanted to be away from all this shit. Making money off this orb would have just put me right in the middle.

"Alright...I believe you..." Inette's jaw dropped. Sweat Peas smiled brightly.

"T-thank you...I...Thank you..."

"Gauge? What about the caps? How are we going to retire without it...Gauge?"

"Just get the orb Inette, i'm sick and tired of living this life as it is. We fix this shit up, sell it and move on. I'm slowing ya down anyway..."

Inette stared at me with hurt in her eyes. I swear if she starts crying...She reached inside the red puch and pulled out the orb. Sweat Peas held the orb in her magic. It floated to her," If you two wouldn't mind watching me as I delve into this orb...i'd be very grateful."

Inette gave me the look I gave her," Not a problem...?"

"Thank you...this might take a while..."


~~~


Repentence of sins. He told me thats what the water was for, to cleanse the dirtied vessel of his treacherous deeds. I laughed when he said that. He was my drinking buddy and now his some fancy preacher with a twisted daughter and a dead wife. I wasn't even sure if was going by the same name anymore. Didn't matter, told him that that life wasn't for me...not yet. Told him right off that I had the perfect candidate. She was hesitant but she took a shine to the daughter after they spent some time talking. She was beautiful when she tried, when she didn't...she was stunning. The way she fought, the way she challenged fate. Now, she was a shivering mess. Waking up in cold sweats, convulsing, vomiting everywhere...she disgust me. Instead of leaving her to the waste, I took'er back to get her fixed up. She was my warrior, my best friend, I needed her better. Jobe was the only pony I knew who could scare sobriety into any being of existence. I never asked what he did to her to make her quite for good...I didn't want to know...Tried to reach him again one day, never found him again. Locals say he just up and left after he heard the goddess command him to find the "end of the world". Sounded like some crazed ponies fantasy. Maybe the waste finally did him in. Maybe even the ones with there souls saved can't hide there broken parts forever. I wished long and hard that I wouldn't end up like him, and I didn't, i'm just worse. I'm aware of just how fucked I am, and now, I don't know how to take that. One thing for sure, I got my stunning warrior back...I need that to last...a little while longer...

Don't have much time left...



~~~



"Its as I feared...thank you. I will see to it that your rewarded..."

"Just do what you have to Sweat Peas...Sorry about the bullet though."

"I deserve much worse...," Sweat Peas eyes had a sad shine to them. Her yellow eyes focused on the door." And Inette...?"

Inette rasied her head," Yes?"

"Tell him..."

"Excuse me!"

I heard six hammers pull back, from outside," Inet-!" Inettes face was frozen in disbelief. A looked down, the hole she was staring at was on me. Oh yeah, theres a hole in me. It was slowed down, but  by the time I noticed the wound, it was over. Rounds from what I believe to be six revolvers pierced the hut and ate through us all in as little as ten seconds. We all fell to the ground. I saw Inette twitching, trying to say something. The orb rested in both of the mare's blood. I watched as we all bleed to death.

Not how I wanted my retirement to go...
> Chapter Five: The Bounty Hunter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Does it hurt? To breath, to walk? Does the pain make you wish you were dead? What's it like to be half dead? What kind of questions are those...?

Breathing was impossible sometimes but after a while I was finally able to stabilize myself. This suit helped with that. I didn't need it to keep me alive anymore, now, I just outfitted it with gear. Stealth protocols, self healing applications, ammo restoration, trauma indicators, new heads up display...all kinds of details. A nice even black sheen covers it, makes it intimidating. Red goggles, place for my horn to stick out, covered in a protective case. Six...six revolvers. Four strapped underside, two on my fore legs. Travel light, buy what I need wherever I end up. I've gotten use to making sure I use everything, to make it all count. 

Does killing get easier? Do you regret anything? Why did you stop writing me? What will we do now that you've gotten the money? Why...why can't I get those questions out of my head?

I strapped on my gear, got all the ammo I would need. A few potions, med-x, the works. I wasn't sure were this job would lead me. No pony has ever requested me through secured radio channels. That's a first, very fancy. Red flag shot up in my mind though. I wasn't keen on running into high numbers of opposition, but I hate shady jobs just as much. I could put millions of ponies in the ground, but its that sneaky knife in the back that catches you off guard. I've been in that situation before, not gonna deal with it again. That's how I ended up with this suit. Not a complete loss, but once is enough. I don't know how many brushes with death I can take before this body finally shuts down.


I trusted you. I loved you. I still do. A job, its a job, you were just a way to get closer...How many times do I have to say it?

The warehouse was enormous. It stood out here in the waste. The only standing structure for miles. The radio frequency lead me here. I followed the waypoint on my heads up display. Wasn't entirely sure how it worked but it did. Now and again I would run into the occasionally wild life: rad scorpions, feral ghoul ponies, they showed up as red ticks on my display. Everything else was green. Nothing I couldn't handle, just a waste of ammo. The slick black revolver: Outsider, I took him out, black magic surrounding it. The ghouls came running, rad scorpions too. They split off to attack each other, but there was still a few coming right for me. I barley paid attention to aiming. I shot six times, everything dropped. Outsider was my second fastest revolver, black smoke rose from the barrel, nice red flash after every shot. Magic lubricant enhanced the standard ammunition and increased its firing speed. I turned back to the warehouse, it was a relic, almost in perfect condition besides the rust and the gaping hole in the ceiling.


~~~


The large warehouse doors rolled open, the buck I talked to earlier was rude but let me in after I showed him the radio broadcast. Why would they care who got the request or not? Any pony that got that frequency could follow up on it, they didn't have it relay a guest list, its first come first serve bases. But I'm sure they got a few ponies that answered the call by now. I stepped inside, there were several armed guards surrounding were I entered, some up top too. They all watched me as I walked straight ahead to what looked like a stage. There were mercs, bounty hunters of all types sitting in chairs in front of the stage. I sat next to a black mare, her mane was smoking, as if she were on fire recently. She looked at me with white glossy eyes. She started to rasp," Hehehe...nice suit..."

"Thanks."

"Ever thought how much it'd suck to suffocate in that?"

She couldn't see my face but I'm sure she sensed my eyebrow arch up. My second glance I noticed her horn," Transformation?"

"Yeah, don't see it often do ya? It hurt like a bitch but its worth it."

"Too permanent for me..."

"Didn't stop you from slipping that thing on, or did you find one that didn't mind the user being free?" I nodded my head," Reengineered I bet, that's smart. Not many ponies can do that..."

"Had to live in it before I could get this far...what made you want to use the magic your using?"

She chuckled, a deep growling kind of chuckle," Wanted to be a weapon so I didn't have to be good with one. Carry a pistol, only use it when I'm desperate though, I can gas a major city in twenty minutes...given enough time to prepare. I see your an expert with weapons though..."

I smirked, I was a little flattered for some reason. The fact that she would notice that." I carry a few revolvers...doesn't make me good..."

"Your a unicorn that can shoot with six different firearms, I'm sure all that levitating gets to ya. I'm pretty sure that takes skill in any case..." She smiled and looked forward at the stage. I was blushing, I'm glad she couldn't see that. "See those griffins, those three. There under watch more than the rest of us cause the can fly. Heard they slaughter a whole town once for being disrespected. That stallion in the black duster, got a machine gun tucked away somewhere, its got hundreds of barrels. How the hell does he hide it I wonder?" She chuckled in a raspy voice.

I stared at the mare, her eyes wandered in my direction," What's your point?"

She frowned, her milky eyes stared off into the crowd of bandit ponies," Urgh, trying to guess your gender...see what your all about. I've talked to most of these fuckers. So far, your one of the few that isn't really interested in the money...not completely anyway. So your either blood thirsty or your looking for something. I guess your identity is the thing your not giving up, would keep a suits mask that was that uncomfortable if there wasn't a reason...right?"

I chuckled. The mare smiled wide," Who I am is none of your business if that's what this is, but yes, there's something more than the money. I'm just searching for a pony. Maybe the next town will have them in it"

The smoky mare smiled once more and stared forward at the stage again, waiting for the event to begin. whatever it was...

We sat there for a few more minutes, and hour was approaching and the seats filled up as we waited. I felt uncomfortable with so many mercs. I spent most of my time looking through the crowds of ponies, they weren't to happy about being in such a cramped space either. I wanted this to be over with, quickly. A ghoul pony trotted across the stage, he stopped in the middle and smiled with sharp rotting teeth. I've never seen a ghoul like him before. He wore a suit vest, with a dress shirt. He's pants were dusty but he actually looked presentable for a ghoul.

"Names Carcus...." The smoky mare next to me rasped in a quiet tone." Yours?"

"You can call me Six..." Carcus smirked, we both turned and gave our attention to the ghoul.

"...Good evening, Mercs, Bounty Hunters, Treasure Hunters, all the other scum of the waste land, welcome. I know your probably wondering how true were those words on that broadcast, I can assure you that you'll be paid in full and then some. I have a small business of counterfeiting caps. We're a very lucrative operation. But enough of that, your here for a simple task right? Just want your instructions and then your off huh? Well, let me make this clear to all of ya! This package is special...if you damage it you die. If you sell we'll know, and you'll die. This clean water so to peak, in this sea of desires is not to be tasted by you. If you exploit this treasure I send you to find, you will regret it..." The ghoul looked over the crowd, I wasn't particularly feeling threatened, neither was any pony else. The ghoul sighed and continued," I'm not one for idle threats, but trust me, I don't like being betrayed. I will pay you all up front, when one of you or your group retrieves the artifact then I'll pay you the rest, maybe something extra for your troubles. Don't show up empty hoofed or I'll turn you inside out. And if your a unicorn, keep your horn away from it...if you get too curious, I'll know. Now, I'd suggest you all line up so I can get your names, pay you, and tell you were to start, we have a lot of waste to cover..."

We all got up from our chairs and attempted to line up. Lots of shady characters, lots of unfriendly ones.

"Six huh? Guess your too good to share your real name?"

I shook my head," Carcus is your real name then?"

"My real name was too soft, had to change it. Look the part, be the part." She looked over to me with her milky eyes," Is Six the name your life has changed into, why Six?"

I patted my guns," They each have a special name..."

"Oh, I see...You famous or something?"

"I'm good at what I do, better if I'm not well known. You?"

"Same here, people just think its some freak accident when a couple of wanted criminals die, smothered in toxic gas. Or an act of the goddesses, I'm flattered either way though," Carcus smiled, her black teeth and gums were glossy. Smoke seeped through the cracks slowly.

She was a fool to have such a drastic change on her body. But its effective...

The line moved forward, caps in tow, most of them took off quickly. I saw some looking at maps they were given, many were green...but there were some that I'd hope not to meet again. The competition for this artifact was more than I'd though it'd be...no turning back now. I reached the desk, the ghoul looked me over and smiled. The pony at the desk stared at me expectedly," My name is six..."

"Alright...eh, Six? You get to take a trip to Rider, small place, not to many have that one. Although, you will be looking out for ponies that look like this...Group of scribes. Not hard to miss at all..." The pony pushed over the caps and handed me the map.

"Remember unicorn...no curiosity, no tricks, you'll be rewarded for your troubles..." The ghoul glared at me, with a smile. 

"Of course..." I turned and headed out the large door that was wide open. 


~~~


"Hey...wait up Six!" 

Carcus was trying to catch up, by the time she got to me she was coughing and wheezing. I stared at her for a while, unsure whether or not I should do something. "What is it?"

She spit, black gunk landed on the dried up ground," I got a place not too far from Rider. I was thinking we could..."

"No, I think you can hold your own but, I can't have you around me..."

"What!" Carcus snarled at me," Is it because of my body? Com on, don't be like all the other sensitive ponies out here..."I continued walking, I could hear the glossy eyed pony mumble under her breath.

"I've tried working with other ponies, it never worked out well...," I pulled out my revolver, Salt. The long barrled white gun was covered in white magic. It was able to shoot phosphorus rounds, overuse would ruin the gun so I just used my magic to add that extra burn. I aimed at Carcus," Go...or I'll burn your insides..."

Smoke quickly seeped through the cracks of her angered face. Contorted in a strange way she snorted at me, and growled," Think I'm scared of you? Don't be stupid, get that pole outta ya ass, and let me keep you company!"

"I don't need your company, I need you to take a hint, so back off!" I shot at the ground, it sizzled underneath her. She didn't flinch.

"Maybe your a mare...nah, you gotta be a buck, cant stand having a mare around you huh?"

"Fuck you..." I trotted of, she didn't follow. I looked back, I cursed myself in my head for that. She had that stupid grin on her face...I stormed off as quickly as a could. The wasteland winds picked up and dust and sand blew across its surface, covering my get away...


~~~



I've never seen anything like it. Out here, the waste get strange. Things can twist and warp, even your mind at times. It was a village, town? It was completely composed of the sand rock, sculpted in the shape of houses and barns. It was a small democracy formed here on the outskirts of the waste. I wasn't trying to stray so far from the path but my map was lost. I found clues though, dead scribes littered through out the waste. I had finally caught up to them but they aren't dense, they shook me as soon as they could. They left trails, of blood in one case...their mission has been unforgiving but they shouldn't be tracking such a dangerous artifact. The town wasn't to friendly to the rangers, locals opened up fire and took out one of the scribes as the ponies passed by. The unprovoked attack lead to a huge firefight and a magical blast that left a crater the size of three Brahmin. One of these scribes is incredibly powerful, although, this ,much power would have weakened them...probably used it as a diversion. Didn't bother taking the body, took the guns and ammo, provisions. 

"Witch direction..." I asked the orange pony wrapped in bandages.

He pointed straight ahead," Wont take you long, if you followed 'em here...could be heading to Rider. Its a ways off but I'm sure you can handle it. Take care of those scum for us, all they do is take, never helped any of us."

I glared at him, but I nodded, not like he could see me through the mask. He smirked," Thank you...I'll sort them out..."

Following the clear instructions from the bandage pony, I found myself being surrounded by the old ruins of a city. A place that use to be, they were like skeletons of a great beast compared to the shacks and shanty towns I've seen. My eyes caught a sign on the remains of a building. It read: Old Rider Saloon. This couldn't be it, could it? My ears jerked, I heard a faint noise...a gunshot? I began to trot in that direction but something told me to hide, so I did. I felt ridiculous but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something coming my way. I waited...and waited...

~~~

"The time is far from today...it will not be long till the goddess embrace us all. I need you to be ready my child..."

"Father..."

A dream...? No, I'm asleep but ponies are talking nearby...I smelled something rotten, it was faint but I could tell that I had been in a dumpster. I hadn't noticed that before...The voices were close by, I could here some mad mumbling not too far off though. Was it...raiders, it must be dark out too, there was no light coming through the holes that had rotted its way through the lid of the dumpster. I could here the voices getting louder, they were right in front of me now...

"I'm not saying I'm not ready, I am afraid...What will the goddess tell me to do, will I murder innocence to justify her words, must I spill blood to support our cause?"

A long pause made the night seem quieter than ever," My dear offspring, you will be called to sin, and die for those very same sins, it is the only way to purify those who are filthy and disgusting in their putrid ways...We must make "hero's" of the filth, or destroy them in the process to accomplish our goals. We have no choice but to loose our way, so they can find their own..."

The daughter, I presumed, sniffled for a while before speaking," Yes father, I understand..."

"We will not see this world when its finally cleaned...but our hand in this will give others a chance...inspire..."

The voices from further away drew their attention. The father said something about getting the "raiders" under control. I knew that raiders were deranged, but are they mindless pets now? And what is a father and daughter doing with them, what does it mean...I'm not sure, but it has nothing to do with why I'm here. I waited for them to depart, and they did, I found myself walking the lonely waste in the dark...

The night wasn't unforgiving, I found some clues that helped me confirm the scribes presence, a dead scribe in a collapsed building. Shot three times, point blank. Betrayal? Ambush? I walked further and found the remains a few dead scorpions and rad roaches. This led me to believe there was only one scribe left, and they were low on ammo...and weapons... Of curse that all changed when I found another dead body. He was scruffy, shotguns were holstered, seven bullet wounds. No exits, the body was already showing signs of decomposing. But it couldn't have been that long...I was right behind this scribe...but how far behind m I now...?

It was a fitting resting place for the buck...I didn't bother to stay too much longer...


~~~


"Those three, you know why the were here!?" I yelled at the bartender, she was terrified.

"Look, I told you already they were gunned down by some crazy ponies, a ghoul and some idiot!

I was drawing too much attention...The ponies in the bar slowly reached for their guns, I could tell they were agitated by previous outburst. I let go of the bartender." Were these two hurt in the process?"


~~~


"Fuck you! I've had enough of this town, they can fix their own problems, and yours, ain't mine!" the doctors bandaged hoof swung at me, trying to shoo me out. I pulled "Smile" out the bright ivory handle was covered in yellow magic, orange stripes covered the gun and a flaming barrel aimed at the doctor..."Smile" was kind of a flame thrower. It pacified many ponies with loud mouths. The doctor glared at me with clenched teeth.

"You talked to a scribe didn't you? Told them what they wanted...those two are probably dead...just let me know where they are so I can find 'em..."

The doctor swallowed hard, he reached for a cigarette from his coat pocket, tapped it on the barrel of my revolver and took a puff...," Crappy little shack on the edge of rider...now please get the fuck away from me..."

"Thanks..." I holstered "Smile", as much as I wanted to melt his mouth, I wanted to catch this scribe even more. This towns gonna need him, maybe.


~~~


What a mess...the sun was rising and I'm still shooting in the dark. The ghoul, the treasure hunter, nothing but paste. The grenade was magical, it had to be...The tracks the scribe left were hard to see in the cracked earth. I wasn't sure how I could found 'em. Now what...?

Another gunshot...it was much closer now, it rang out louder than ever. I ran towards Old Rider. Of course, this scribe isn't done here, what I'm looking for is what the scribe is looking for, it's still here whatever it is! I raced through the ruble, dilapidated buildings, and randomly lain land mines. I pulled out "Seeker", a shiny silver revolver with a star as the sight. Grey magic enveloped it and I spread the bullets in the air to clear out any remaining mines. Reloading was difficult while on the run, but this was an emergency...

The body was just lain out, but she was already decomposing faster than normal...What is this, a new scribe weapon...? That's it, I don't have time for this, I have to kill this renegade before they unleash anymore of this dreadful new power...I cant take any chances...

I arrived, this had to be it, this is the only shack that looks inhabited. This brahmin is obviously domesticated...I cant have her spooking anyone inside. I'm going to end this once and for all...I pulled "Quiet" from my fore leg, her sleek purple shine, light weight frame, came slinging out of my holster with ease. The magic around it was almost invisible but a light purple was reflecting from its shiny surface. This special revolver was made specifically to be modified for this purpose. I aimed and dropped the brahmin. Her sound alone hitting the ground might have failed this mission...Withdrawing "Quiet" I pulled out "Widow", she was covered in intricate designs and stained with a red hoof print. My fastest gun was trained on the door, orange magic held it steady...I waited...nothing. I carefully trotted to the door and pressed my suited body against the door. My ears perked up against the wooden barrier, I heard a conversation...

"Just do what you have to Sweat-"

-This was my time... I disenchanted the revolvers and pulled them all out slowly, I took a few steps back and aimed in a horizontal formation across the shed. I need to make sure I wouldn't harm the artifact, magic would probably harm it more than bullets. I cocked the hammers back...

Look me in the eyes when you kill me!! No, no! Stop it, please shut up!

Blood pooled from under the door, I waited to gather myself before holstering my guns. I was exhausted, and tired of hearing my thoughts echo the past. I was also hoping that did the trick. It did. The two mares had just finished dying. The buck however had more drive. In the name of decency I put on through his head so I wouldn't have to witness his pitiful shuffle. The scibe was a mare, is a mare. She had a strange revolve with her, I wondered if that was the weapon she used against all the others? The artifact was lying in the blood between the two mares. I was surprised at what it was, just a damned memory orb. This is what they died for...this trail of death and loss was for a bunch of pre-war nonsense?!


~~~


...Fucking coward...

"Aw, so you've made it back? Interesting...the artifact?" The ghouls was drooling, or at least he would be if he could...can he? " I take it that the journey was taxing...maybe I could provide you with nourishment...company?"

He smiled at me crookedly, I cringed inwardly," I'm fine.." 

"Of course you are," He raised his would be eyebrows," I'll get your caps, and much more, just sit tight while I get this thing, Authenticated..."

I felt a familiar chill down my spine, something told me to open fire on these bastards and run, run till I dropped dead...Instead I just turned on my radio and listened to it in the chairs facing the stage.

" Reports are coming in from a small town in the waste called Rider, or at least there were reports. A giant gas cloud devoured the entire town right before communications went silent. No telling what it could be, but the controlled detonation has most of our waste citizens claiming the attack to be a "bale fire ghost" or just the after affect of a failed bale fire bomb, finally going off. I'm hoping for the best, but if your anywhere over near lil 'ole Rider, keep your distance. The gas can burn your eyes and drop ya dead just being outside the town, trust me, I got first hand accounts...their dead now of course-"

I turned off the broadcast...Carcus...What the hell was she thinking? 

"Six...was it?"

I looked up, the ghoul pony was behind me. I stood up and faced the well dressed monster," Yes, that's me..."

"I've had a few unicorns help me, pilfer around with this orb. Its been tampered with. You seem trust worthy, but I cant take chances with a jeopardized orb. My brain could fry, or worse..."

I was confused, I was never interested in the orb in anyway. I wiped some blood off of it, but that was for my convince. I saw the orb under his hoof," Wouldn't it 've fried those other ponies brains?"

"Their special, and that isn't important. Your going to tell me why your filthy horn was touching my orb!" The ghouls breath was intensified when he yelled, I could smell rancid flesh, and the remains of rotted gums as he approached me with more accusations." What did you do!? Who are you working for!?"

My magic flared up, instinctual. I noticed my defensive stance and gasped inwardly. I could feel his men aiming at me, guns at the ready. I wouldn't survive the run out of here...I had to think carefully..."I'm sorry, habit. Look, I have no clue who messed with your orb. All I want is my caps, scratch that, I just want to leave and keep to myself alright. The scribe I followed could have tampered with it but I wouldn't know. I'm just doing my job, nothing more, nothing less..."

The ghoul backed off and pondered the response. After a long drawn out silence he began to walk off. I never thought id sigh a sigh of relief, but this sure called- " Kill this fucker!"

All six revolvers whipped out at my sides, pure instinct. The seventh one felt....heavy...but I fired it with the rest as the pressure lay one. I raced to the closing door. My heads up display was telling me about injuries I couldn't even feel, adrenalin was my drug, besides all the med-x and potions being injected into me. I shot the guard closing the gate, "Salt' burned him, "Outsider" overkilled him. I was still tearing my way to the exit, killing off snipers, and even some bounty hunters who returned. Guess they thought it would be a good idea to fuck with me... I shot, I reloaded, I shot, and reloaded, I was in a trance, my body wasn't keeping up with my demands. I could feel my limits crush me like a building with a week foundation. I couldn't get out with the group from outside blocking the way, and the guards inside the hanger was an endless onslaught. I surrounded my self with my revolves, trying my best to inch toward to door. "Fuck this!" I holstered my guns and bolted for the door, my body withstood most of the hits but medication was running dry, like my ammo... I burst through the blockade and unleashed everything I had at them, backing up as I covered my escape. Bullets still flew past me, in me, I couldn't keep this up much longer. My legs wobbled, my goggles filled up with blood. I was far past my limit, I was in a trance that let me ignore a head wound... I finally created a perfect opportunity. They fell back to regroup, a fresh wave was ready to take me, I escaped into the mercy of the waste land...


~~~


"Shud up...dammit shu, staw, stop eh...leave me alone!" my revolvers...including my newest one...i'll call her "Lucky" she saved me, saved me from all of them..."Fucking die...just stop...just stop!" My guns dragged in the sand, different magic holding them, the aura around them wavering...so fucking...so tired..."JUST STOP CRYING! WHY ARE YOU CRYING...? I...we...we were nothing..." I'm...dying? Too much blood...how was I shot so much? What happened to me...? I can't...I can't stop thinking about her. I just want to have one thought to myself, just one...Please...please let me, let me...I'm so...I just want...

My heart beat slowly, I collapsed. My guns made the beautiful crescendo of master weaponry softly hitting the sand. I kissed the hot ocean of grain and smiled, I was at my end, a corrupt fool who can't let go of the past, stuck the knife in my back...and I let him. Or was it that bitch Carcus? She wouldn't let that one altercation go? What was I fighting for? What did I die for...? I'm such an idiot...She's already dead, yet I still search for her...

The sun started to fall from its throne, a figure appeared from the sands. His smile faded as he reached me, a somber stare let me wondering if I had seen him before, I blinked slowly, the wind becoming a cushioned noise, muffled by a fuzzy haze that filled my ears. The world faded around the figure, but his features and his voice rang out from the darkness...

"All is lost...let it all end."