> Fallout Equestria: Embers > by Anthony Rineer > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Grey Walls > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grey, impenetrable walls narrowing into thick, steel hallways. Rooms left to right filled with ponies either sleeping or fucking, but now that I think about it it`s probably the latter. The Atrium bustling with ponies, hurrying to get to their jobs their stuck with for the rest of our lives. The Overmare`s office occupied with the one pony that`s given the responsibility to protect us. Honestly, I hate her. Brainwashing us with that bullshit, saying outside is nothing but a void filled with helpless souls; who had the misfortune to be outside when the bombs dropped. But`s it not all that bad. Besides everypony calling me 'nerd' for studying all the time. The only pony that doesn`t make fun of me is my little sister, Flash. Weird, I`m a Unicorn and she`s a Pegasus. Mom and Dad died a couple years ago, when the Overmare was elected. So, I was the only pony who could take care of her; But, Mom and Dad mentioned a brother who left the Stable. Lucky son of a mule. So you`re probably wondering what the unlucky job I got: Engineering. Some other ponies have to clean toilets, so it`s way better than that. Oh well, stuck here for the rest of my life; in this steel prison. Beep. Beep. Beep. I extend my hoof trying to turn off the alarm, knocking everything off of my nightstand. Finally, my hoof clicks the alarm off and the annoying beeping irrupts and stops. Really, why can`t we just wake up whenever we want? After getting out of bed, I slip my utility barding on. I peek out into the hall and see nopony, and I walk out into the hall; and start making my way to engineering track. Walking, I start to hear ponies` doors opening and eventually hoofsteps. I start to trot and eventually gallop. I honestly don`t wanna get caught around a whole bunch of assholes. I think today we have to repair the ve- I knock into the toughest pony in the Stable: Big Doon. Well, I`m a dead pony. I wonder what they`ll do with Flash, replace me? I chanced a look at Big Doon and He picked me up by the collar. "S-S-Sorry?" I close my eyes and put my hooves up to protect my face, not like it will do good anyways. Big Doon reaches his hoof up and punches right across my muzzle. I could feel the warm, red liquid pouring down my muzzle and dropping onto the floor. He punches again and blood comes spurting out once another time. Now, there was an audience watching and chanting 'Fight Fight Fight'. After several pounces, he drops me to the ground and starts walking down the hall; ponies clearing way for the mammoth of a pony. I eventually stand up and wipe the blood off my muzzle, and start the journey to Engineering. As I walked, ponies glanced looks at me and murmuring. Probably about me, mostly. "Yo, what happened?" The main engineering pony asked. I walked past him and started trotting towards the chart for the day. He catched up to me and looked at me, waiting for my answer. Still looking forward, I replied. "I got in a fight." "With who?" "Big Doon. I was walking and I bumped into him, I still think he takes drugs." I chuckled at the thought. "And he beat the pulp out of you?" He asked. Orange Juice never was the shiniest apple in the apple tree. Or orange for his case. I nodded and kept walking. After looking at the chart, I walked to a toolbox; I levitated it and placed it at the vent. So, I was right about the vents, atleast. Pulling out a wrench, I noticed the drugs placed in my toolbox. I swear to Celestia, I hate everpony in this Stable. I picked it up with my horn and walked over to the trashcan. I noticed a Security Guard staring at me. Well, this day can`t get any worse, Right? We arrived at the Overmare`s office and the Security Guard opened the door to the room and pointed his hoof at the Overmare. I walked with her and to the desk. Behind the desk, is the all powerful Overmare, regent as ever. "Thank you, Raspberry." The Security Guard nodded and walked out of the room, locking the door behind him. After he left, the Overmare looked back at me and said. "What is it this time, Wary?" Her hooves crossed across the desk, waiting for my response. "Somepony placed drugs in my toolbox." I said trying to sound as honest as I can. "Uh-Huh." The Overmare stood up and walked up to the intercom and speaked into it. "Escort Wary and her sister to the Stable Door. Make sure they don`t put up a fuss." She sat down and pointed to the door. I scowled at her and stood up, walked over and dropped onto my haunches. I can`t get believe we`re getting kicked out of the Stable.This is ridiculous! Flash and I can`t survive out there! Finally the Security Guard arrived and we started to walk to Stable door. Eventually, we were at the door and sure enough Flash was there. "Wary, what`s happening?" Flash asked, with worry showing up in her voice. "It`s okay. Just follow me at costs, understand?" I said with skipping a beat. She nodded and I stared at the Guard, he pointed to the door and we walked to it. He pressed some buttons on the control panel, and the door skidded back; slipped to the side. I levitated Flash onto my back and together we walked through the opening. Through the door was a linear, narrow cave. At the end was a thin, wooden door. We trotted over to it and opened it. Flash and I put our hooves up, to cover our eyes. Finally, after adjusting to the brightness and looking out over the hill. Well, couldn`t get worse, Right? > Out of the Frying Pan > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- You ever hear the saying "Out of the Frying Pan"? Well, that saying has a lot of effect in this situation. Life in the Stable was never easy, even before our parents died. Everypony giving us a hard time, especially me. I never seemed to get a break, always in the center of attention in a negative way. Even Flash got picked on, even know she is one of the most silent ponies I know. Mom always did her best to stand up for us, Dad never helped at all. So now I got to take of a filly in a radiated infested wasteland. We stared out at the wasteland for a long while, to eventually I decided we need to find shelter. Goddesses' know what`s out here in this pit of hell. We walked down the small path, and onto a cracked road. Scattered around are what I assumed are wagons, from all the books I read. Flash still on back, clenched onto my neck and closed her eyes. I let out a sigh and continued on, watching out for potential threats. After a couple minutes of walking, my Pipbuck started clicking annoyingly. I looked down to my Pipbuck and the radiation meter was approaching the yellow states. I stepped back and looked around, scanning for what the source was. I spotted a barrel tipped over, spewing green glob everywhere. I strafed around it, trying to avoid the sickly, green slime. Eventually we passed it, and onwards. We came across a pony, or what I assumed was a pony. Her skin was dissolving and showing ghastly bones beneath it. Next to her was a AS-88. Hah, I knew that weapon catalogue was useful! I levitated it up and checked around the remains for ammo. I spotted a magazine and picked it up with my magic. I placed the extra magazine in my spare barding pocket. I glanced back at Flash and noticed she was asleep. How you can sleep on a mare`s back, I`ll never know. She snores quite loudly too. I started trotting west, and glanced a look at my Pipbuck to make sure. This AS-88 was in decent edition, the last owner apparently doesn't know how to repair stuff. I cocked the gun and whoa that`s a cool feature. My Pipbuck had activated a system called E.F.S. I swirled around and noticed a few green bars. I figured that meant 'friendly'. On the way to the green bars, I saw a sign that degraded a lot; but I squinted and read what it said. 'Baltimare, enjoy your visit!' I looked around and continued towards the green bars again. I stepped over the hill and spotted them, two stallions and a mare. I walked towards them and they raised they`re poorly repaired weapons." Hey, don`t shoot! I`m a friendly." I said with urgency. The mare looked over to my back and noticed Flash. She motioned a hoof to the two stallions and lowered her own weapon. "Where`d ya come from?" she asked glancing at the snoring filly on my back. "Me and my sister got kicked out of our Stable. Please we don`t want any trouble." I said gesturing to the hill containing the steel prison. She sighed and turned around, motioning for me to follow her. I looked at the stallions and they merely shrugged. I walked over to her left and walked with her. "Ya can travel with us ta Greenhill." she said still staring forward. I scowled at that and thought about it for a moment. She looked at me, waiting for a response. I nodded and she looked back. "Greenhill is filled with ta usual townfolk. Merchants mostly, with the typical drug dealers." she said without blinking. How is that possible? "Thank you. I have to care of my little sister." I said with my Canterlot accent. Our Mom said that our ancestors were rich, powerful ponies. "My name is Wary and my sister`s name is Flash." "Mah name is Waker." she said with a small smile. I glanced at the sleeping filly on my back and then at my flank. My cutie mark was two eyes focused, meaning I was always...well...focused. "Ya the third Stable pony to come out this year. First the Stable Dweller, then that mare in the Hoof named Security. Real heroes them two." she said looking back at me. "I bet." I said looking forward. I looked around and noticed on my E.F.S., was three red bars. I looked around and saw three dirty ponies, with battered clothes. I saw a faint shimmer and felt the sensation of getting shot. Waker notioned the guards and we took cover behind a stained, broken desk in a pile of rubble. Waker pulled out a clear, glass bottle filled with purple liquid and put it to my mouth. I chugged it down and felt the wound healing slowly. I levitated my AS-88 and shot blindly behind cover. Eventually, I noticed a option on my Pipbuck named S.A.T.S. I pressed the button and time slowed to a small halt. I aimed for the torso and activated. I successfully shot the pony and she staggered back, another shot killing her. The gunshots woke up Flash and she looked around, then looked up at me. " What`s going on?" "Just lay down and cover your ears." she did what I said and layed down and put her forehooves to her ears, hopefully enough to block out the sound. I shot a few times and my gun clicked. I pulled out the magazine and the slapped the extra one in, and continued firing. Waker shot and a second pony fell, blood pouring onto the radiated ground. One stallion got shot in the head and fell down, dropping his ground in the process. Waker growled and shot repeatedly unto the final pony died. She walked over to the fallen stallion and picked up his gun, placing it over her back. "Dang raiders, fuckers shouldn`t be down this far." she hissed under breath. I glanced at the dead stallion and walked over, shutting his eyes. We glanced at each other for awhile and I walked over to Flash. She was still laying down, sobbing. I sat down next to her, rubbing her head. "Hey, it`s okay. There all gone." I said trying to comfort her. She looked up at me and sniffed, then rubbed her eyes. I picked her up and placed her on my back. I glanced back at her and smiled at her. She shot a small smile back. Looking back, Waker stared at me and we started walking towards Greenhill. > Greenhill > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Smoke filled the air. Crackling, embers floating about from our temporary fire. It wasn`t luxury, far from it; The Stable was. Sadly we were kicked out, because I was cheated. I always knew the Overmare was out for me, she just needed the excuse to screw me over. Her mother was a good friend of mine, and she was jealous. The Overmare`s mother passed away and was elected. Ever since then, she lubes up and royally fucks me. Well, did fuck me. Okay, enough about fucking. Over the pass hour, Waker explained to us about the wasteland; not skipping one crucial detail. I merely nodded every time she asked if I understood. I`m worried about Flash, she`s more quiet than usual. It doesn't happen everyday you get kicked out of your home, especially for a filly. When Mom and Dad died, something broke inside of her; like a twig. I`m just trying to assess the situation, because other wise I`d snap. The smell of pre war beans spread around our noses. Above the fire was a rusty pot, containing brown beans. Waker pulled four bowls out of her saddlebags, and placed them in front of us. Flash just stared at it, before murmuring under her breath; and picked it up with her hoof. I levitated mine up and proceeded to pour the food into everypony`s bowls. I filled mine last, then pulled it up to my muzzle, and sipped it gently. Waker just gulped it down and belched loudly, Flash giggling at it. I placed the bowl down after I finished, and trotted over to the edge where we were. Out in the distance was Greenhill, the little dots bustling around. I glanced back at Flash and surely enough she was done eating. I smiled a little and turned back to the horizon, staring at it`s beauty. Eventually, I noticed Waker packing up and that was the sign we were leaving. I shot one more look at the horizon and smiled widely. I trotted back and picked up Flash, placed her on my back. She adjusted on my back and gave a small smile. We started towards Greenhill. Walking, me and Flash squinted at a small camp in the distance. Waker caught what we were looking at, and joined in. Finally, we stopped staring and started up again. I felt my saddlebags getting shifted around and I saw Flash digging through, her little hooves shoving through stuff. "What are you looking for?" "I`m looking for a drink. I`m thirsty." I frowned at that. My horn glowed and out a bottle of water came. She snatched it out of my field of magic and unscrewed the cap, gulping it down. I chuckled a bit and we continued. The wind picked up and I looked up at the sky. There was little white specks gliding down towards the ground. I though about what it was. Maybe snow? The books in our Stable had some information about winter and snow. I felt my back shaking and looked back at Flash. She was shivering. Oh hell No! I immediately dug into my saddlebags and pulled out a small stitched, warm cloth. I placed it around her and she smiled and mouthed "Thank you". After a couple of minutes, I started shivering as well. My jaws were chattering and I felt my hooves starting to go numb. No Wary, you can get through this; For Flash. Waker glanced back, making sure we weren`t falling behind. Few seconds later, my hindlegs were numb; all feeling going away with the wind. I put my hoof up to my face, trying to block the wind. It didn`t take long for the snow to start cover the ground, the white speckles turning the color from mundane to white. I looked forward and notice we were a couple yards away from Greenhill. The town was absolutely filled with people of all sorts. Ponies, Griffons, Zebras, and some weird zombie looking ponies. The guards noticed our approach and aimed their guns at us. I scowled at them and they just kept their guns up. "Open up the gate, Dickwads." Waker said. The guards stepped down and eventually the gate opened. One guard stepped forward, his slime colored mane flowing through the wind. "Who are these ponies, Waker?" Waker walked up and murmured to him. He nodded and strafed to the side. At that point my legs were about to give out. "You`re welcomed here as long as you don`t start any trouble. Flash nodded and finally I did. I walked past him into the town, knees weak. Through out the town was so many shops, merchants and customers alike. As we walked through, people were staring at us. Some even started whispering to each other, and others walking past me. I spotted a bar and though why not? Crap, Flash was still with me. Oh well, not like she`ll like alcohol. I trotted towards it and looked around. I noticed that there was scrap everywhere. Finally we arrived at the bar and pushed the door open. Conversations stopped for a second, and resumed a second later. I walked up to the counter and sat down on a stool, Flash hopping on one herself. The bartender glanced at me and cleared his throat. I pulled out some bottlecaps Waker gave me, saying that`s the currency. Meh, beats me. I dropped them on the counter and said. "Whiskey... please." He reached his hoof under the counter and pulled out a rectangular bottle filled with zesty drink. He also pulled a shot glass up and proceeded to pour the drink. After filling, he pushed it to me. I levitated it and gulped it down in one go, the warm drink making a new home in my belly. Flash was fiddling with her hooves and was singing lowly about wrapping up winter. I smiled and motioned for another, and the bartender did just that. Gulping it down, I noticed a stallion walking over, and sat down. "You new here...Huh bitch?" He said in a drunken matter. I glanced at him, frowned, and punched square in the muzzle; knocking off the stool and onto the wooden, stained floor. I stood up and walked over to him, looking down at him. After a moment, I replied. "Yes...and if you don`t leave me alone I will beat you into a bloody pulp." He spit on my hoof and I sighed. I picked him up by the mane and slammed him up against the wall. I pounced on him several times, before I dropped him on the ground. I walked over to Flash and placed her on my back. I walked to the door and everypony was staring at me. I walked out and looked around, glancing around for something to do. The wasteland was just grand, wasn`t it? > Dirty Paws > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The cold, harsh wind was brushing through my teal mane, as if it was ethereal. My grey fur, numbed by the freezing snow. I`m standing outside the bar, scanning around the town. Flash on my back, as if waiting for a command. My decent repaired firearm floating beside me, grasped by my field of magic. I settled it in my newly acquired holster, slipping in with ease. I looked up to the sky, watching white speckles drizzled down slowly. I was walking through the marketplace, browsing the merchant`s goods with a watchful eye. I spotted a armor and weapons stand, firearms and bardings spread through out the table. I trotted over and looked them over, eyeing each one as if they had a disease. I saw a 56. Revolver, the scope shimmering like it was the sun itself. The merchant was spying at me and I pointed at it. He stared down at it and then picked it up with his hoof. I dropped bottle caps on the counter, and levitated the revolver. The steel shining, showing off it`s glory. I slipped it into my saddlebags, adding to the contents. After the gun chaos, I spotted a lone zebra sitting at a table; his cloak covering half of his face. I frowned and thought for a bit, wondering. Finally, I made my decision and started trotting over to him, smiling a little bit. He shifted a bit and looked up to me approaching, and turned back down. At last, I sat down next to him and smiled. He glanced at me for a bit, before giving a small smile. "What`s wrong?" He scowled at that, then he decided to answer. "My brother was murdered." I frowned at that and put my hoof on his. He shifted his hoof a little before he said. "Why do you care? I`m just a stranger." I grinned and hesitated before replying. "No one is a stranger to me." I said with my heavy Canterlot accent. He smiled at that and looked at me for a moment before saying. "I`m Pinpoint." "I`m Wary, and this is Flash." I said gesturing to the shy filly beside me. She gave a small ruffle of her wings, before waving weakly. He waved back, before turning back to me. He stared at my barding for a bit, before asking. "Which Stable did you come from?" I flushed and he saw my uncomfort, and said. "I...Sorry...." I gave a small smile and then sat up. He shifted up and walked to my side, bumping my hip with his own. I picked up Flash and plopped her up onto my back. She moved, looking for a comfortable position. I glanced back and after she stopped moving, she gave a small smile. Together we walked to the gate, and out into the wasteland. Walking along the side of the road, I felt my legs give out under me; and set me tumbling down a hill. After that, Pinpoint galloped down the hill, hurrying with pace. He reached the bottom, extended his hoof and helped me up. I gave a small smile and grabbed his hoof, levitating Flash next to me. I dropped on my back once again, and together we walked back up the hall. We reached the top and I spotted a small wire connected to two small wires. I scowled and we continued on. Flash was digging through my saddlebags...Again. She gave a small grunt and finally a water bottle was lifted out of my saddlebags. I heard a large gulp. And another. And another. And another. A empty bottle flied across my vision, landing a couple inches away. I looked back, brow arched, and she just shrugged. I turned back and came face to face with a battered, dirty pony. He growled and slid a knife across my face, creating a huge gash. I pulled out my revolver and shot her in the knee. He let out a scream and slipped out a gun. He shot me in the in the chest, blood drizzling out of my wound. I shot him in the head and held a hoof to my chest, warm red liquid sliding down my hoof and dropping onto the ground. Flash was shaking and I reached my hoof back, running my grey hoof through her orange mane. I levitated her onto Pinpoint`s back, her clenching his cloak. Pinpoint arched a brow and I shrugged. Another gunshot rang my ears, sliding inches away from my head. I ran to an overturned wagon, taking cover behind it. Pinpoint disappeared and reappeared next to me. He looked at me and said. "What`s the plan?" Crap! A plan was a good idea, now that I think about it. I looked over the damaged wagon and spotted four raiders. Two mares, One stallion, and a cult looking zebra. I looked back and let words slip out of my mouth. "There`s four raiders. Two mares, one stallion and a zebra wearing a monk looking robe. You go left with your cloak and I will flank them." He nodded and turned invisible, going left I presumed. I unlocked my cylinder and looked inside. Four bullets. I slapped it shut and spinned it, cocking it. I strafed over to the right, trying to stay out of their range of detection. The four raiders scanning, looking to brutally murder me. I squinted and looked through my scope, aiming my crosshairs on the stallion. I let out a long exhale and fired. His brains splattered over the wall behind him. The remaining raiders looking around furiously, blood lust activating. I saw Pinpoint deactivate his cloak and spotted him behind one of the mares. I nodded and he placed his hooves around her neck, and snapped it; her body hitting the cold ground. I activated S.A.T.S and placed three shots on the remaining mare. The first shot missed completely, the second grazing her ear, and the final hitting her square in the forehead. I aimed at the zebra and my scope settled on her head. I sighed and pressed the trigger. The gun clicked. Damnit! I jumped over the barrier and rushed her, levitating the stallion`s fallen knife. She spotted me and stepped back, pulled out a small bag. She blew some glowing dust into my face, blinding me. My eyes watered, I raised my hoof up trying to wipe it off. Pinpoint rushed up, slid under her, and pointed a sword to her throat. She gave out a small chuckle and just smiled. Pinpoint growled and slid the sword clean through her neck, decapitating her. I stood up, eyes watering. "You alright." I nodded and slumped down a little. I felt dizzy and my knees gave out under me, and I faded into sleep. ~ ~ ~ "Wary wake up!" My eyes popped open and I looked up at the ceiling. Still grey as ever. I jumped out of bed and walked over to my mirror. My cyan eyes glaring back at me. Grey fur sticked up in a few places and my teal mane looks like a tornado cane through it. I levitated a brush and runned it through several times. I placed the brush back down and my mane looked decent enough. I walked to the door and exited. My usual routine was to report to maintenance and check the chart for the duties of the day. I heard the sound of slapping flanks and blushed. I speed trotted to maintenance and spotted Orange Juice and Mom. Mom`s mane was navy blue and her coat golden, her cyan eyes peeking at me. I blinked and they turned into raiders. Flesh missing from several places, blood stained into their coats. They disappeared and so did the scenery. I awoke to the sound of hoofsteps. My body felt weird and...odd. My eyes adjusted and I noticed I was on Pinpoint`s back, my own back brushing against his cloak. I reached my ho-. No. It wasn`t a hoof. It was a paw! I was a wolf. Pinpoint looked back at me with a sincere smile. Fuck.