> Fallout Equestria: Mineko's Virtue
>  by tigrean
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Intro and Prologue
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FALLOUT EQUESTRIA: MINEKO’S VIRTUE



Introduction

Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria...

…there came an era when the ideals of friendship gave way to greed, selfishness, paranoia and a jealous reaping of dwindling space and natural resources. Lands took up arms against their neighbors. The end of the world occurred much as we had predicted -- the world was plunged into an abyss of balefire and dark magic. The details are trivial and pointless. The reasons, as always, purely our own. The world was nearly wiped clean of life. A great cleansing; a magical spark struck by pony hooves quickly raged out of control. Megaspells rained from the skies. Entire lands were swallowed in flames and fell beneath the boiling oceans. Ponykind was almost extinguished, their spirits becoming part of the ambient radiation that blanketed the lands. A quiet darkness fell across the world...

…But it was not, as some had predicted, the end of the world. Instead, the apocalypse was simply the prologue for another bloody chapter in pony history. In the early days, thousands were spared the horrors of the holocaust by taking refuge in enormous underground shelters known as Stables. But when they emerged, they had only the hell of the wastes to greet them. All except those in Stable Twenty Two. For on that fateful day when spellfire rained from the sky, the giant steel door of Stable Twenty Two swung closed, and after 190 years it reopened and on the west side of the Everfree forest a bustling trading post was created until a year before Littlepip left her stable, that is where my story begins.


Fallout Equestria: Mineko’s Virtue





Prologue


Blade Casting… and Death?

        I want to explain about my life and what happened and why I did what I did.  First of all I was not born in a stable; I was born in Trade Post 22.  I have a charcoal colored coat with a teal mane and tail; I was also slightly shorter than most mares my age.  I was the best friend of a pony from the stable 22 Overmare’s family her name was Raven but before I say more I should explain about my special talent, Blade Casting.

        What is Blade Casting?  Blade Casting is a specialized form of telekinesis and enchantment spells that allows unicorns to take 8 to 14 pieces of metal or gemstones enchant them with their magic and are able to fuse them into a blade as well as shooting the pieces for a long ranged attack. The parts are tied to the wielder which allows them to never be stolen or able to be retrieved even if the pony is unable to see them.  This art has been around since before Luna was banished to the moon but over the years they slowly became useless and very few were left after the bombs fell, only 2 ponies besides the princess’ knew the art form.  The art form was thought to be dead, but as with any magical talent it shows up when it is needed the most, that is the nature of magic.  Well it seems that the magic chose me and I was the first new blade caster in over 500 years needless to say once I got my cutie mark a lot of responsibility was put on my shoulders.  No pony could figure out why I was able to do this, many say it was in my genes, I’m not sure but when my mark showed my father seemed to know and gave me a gift that was passed down in the family for many years.  The chest he gave me had 14 pieces of diamond cut into small geometrical shapes that look like they could fit together like a puzzle and had edges sharpened and were as sharp as a razor.  Once I used my talent every gem that my spell touched had a deep blue glow in the middle of the diamond.  Well I started training and I was slowly growing in power and control I was able to use up to 10 pieces before I started to go on more scavenger missions for the town.  Unfortunately with the power there are, I guess you could call them restrictions, in order to maintain the blade you must never lose you reason to fight, that is the fire within you that helps maintain your purpose.  Once that falters you with lose your ability to maintain the power and until you find the reason or a new reason to fight you are unable to cast your blade, the reasons can be as small as survival to as noble as one of the virtues of the elements of harmony.

        Now I must tell you about what I would call my first death.  As I said I was the best friend of Raven a very beautiful unicorn mare inside and out, had a black coat with a silver mane and tail. She was the daughter of the overmare’s family from stable 22 and she of course had one of those pipbucks.  She was a brilliant pony, was the last of our class to get her cutie mark, her cutie mark was a white book with a black bird in the center of it, and was my best and closest friend that I have ever had.  Her specialty was casting shields and had some good knowledge in the medical spells so we made a great team for scavenging in the wastelands.  Well one day Raven and I went on a scavenging mission for the trading company in our town, 22 Caravan Company, about a year ago and that day changed my life forever…

        We started heading back after a day of scavenging but unfortunately the weather slowed us down and we were unable to get to the town outskirts till real late at night.  After we went over a small foot hill we saw a sight that horrified us, the town, it was BURNING!  We ran to investigate trying to find survivors we went head on into the dark smoke as it engulfed us, we split up.  My eyes were burning as I searched breathing started to get difficult I knew I had to get out of here quickly before the smoke made me fall.  I spent just one minute more then I started to panic worried about my friend, I started to call her name, coughing,  I was getting weaker I could tell, finally I decided I needed to get out of there into fresh air, or at least as fresh as you could get in the wasteland.  I got out of the smoke still coughing and gagging, I stumbled on my fore legs as I fell just before my eyes got too heavy I saw Raven coming out of the smoke with a glow of magic while she was carrying one of the town guards in a telekinesis field, all I could think was thank the goddesses she got out of there before my eyes closed.

        When I opened my eyes I heard crying from Raven, I slowly pulled myself upright and slowly moved towards my friend and nudged her, “What’s wrong Raven,” I asked.

“Everybody was dead or gone, I couldn’t save them even the only one I found alive, he died an hour ago,” she starts to cry and wraps her forelegs around my neck, “and even worse I found a building where they corralled all the young fillies, colts and elderly, and killed them all,” she started crying more I didn’t hear it my anger and raged consumed me at that point and I vowed to find who did this and bring them to justice.
 
        Finally we cried for the rest of the night, in the morning I asked her,” Raven did the pony you try to save have any clue on who did this and the direction they went?”

“Yes,” she replied, “But you are not going to like this, the force that attacked was led by a purple alicorn called herself Mars, they came from the west and after the fight he saw them heading southwest of here.”  By the Goddesses, I thought,Celestial and Luna fuck me with my own horn why would they do this to us.  “Mineko?’ She saw my shocked face, “What can we do now, it is an alicorn we can’t beat a goddess.”

My anger flared and I said, “Raven, SHE is no goddess, I will make her pay, justice will be served.  We will track her down and we will make her pay I swear but I will need your help, Will you help me Raven?”

She look at me with those beautiful loving green eyes and nodded, “yes, because I believe you can do it Mineko.”  My heart just melts as she said that and we started off on our quest. 

Well we finally caught up with fake goddess Mars 8 months later.  Raven and I fought her for almost 3 hours, my blade was barely damaging and Raven was casting some her best spells she had in her arsenal and Mars just seamed bored, it was like she was toying with us and that was when my worst fear happened.  Mars launched herself into the air and started casting a micro balefire spell.  Raven saw that and we were too far apart, I couldn’t do anything, Raven Casted her most powerful shield on me and pushed me as far and as fast as she could with her telekinesis to get me as far away from ground zero unfortunately she couldn’t move herself.  Mars released the spell as the whole world in front of me and Raven, erupts in an explosion of green fire.  The blast of heat and fire destroyed the shield she cast on me my whole body was burned and I was sent flying about another 20 feet.  My whole body was in pain. I tried to scream, but I couldn’t speak. I was barely conscious. 

Mars walks up to me, “I’m impressed my little pony you are still alive,”  She laughs evilly, “For that I will not kill you outright so you understand and can think about what revenge got you as you die.”  As tendrils of electricity hits me all over my body like whips.  I try to scream but I couldn’t move I barely could breath, all I could do was stare up at Mars’ face with her sickening smirk. I couldn’t believe this she was enjoying it.  I couldn’t hold my eyes open as the whole world faded to black, was I dead?


Footnote: Grantedtraits Heavy Hoofed: Your Melee, unarmed, and Blade Casting strikes do more damage but less critical damage, and Blade Casting: You are one of the few that specialize in Blade Casting but because of the training involved you can only learn half as many spells as a normal unicorn.


> Fallout Equestria: Mineko's Virtue Ch 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	
Chapter 1


Life


(Life isn’t about looking at the cards you were dealt, it’s about playing them to the best of your ability)

        The world was black, “Mineko wake up,” a distant voice sounds, “Raven is that you?”  The distant voice sounds again, “Mineko you need to wake up.” Confused, I think “Huh, wha…”  The distant voice again, “WAKE UP!”

        My eyes snap open as I take a deep breath, I panic, I’m strapped down on a gurney, and I thrash around as I’m blinded with a bright light.  From my peripheral vision I could see a small pony running into another room shouting something can’t make it out.  I continue to thrash trying to say something but it doesn’t come out.  I see an elderly pony hurrying in as he stands on his hind legs with his fore legs across my side he says in a genial voice, “It’s ah’right y’all safe now, ya needin to calm down, ya eyes will adjust soon enuf.”

Finally I feel my voice coming back and my vision starts clearing.  I am able to get a better look at the elderly earth pony with his light brown, probably the most vibrant brown in his youth, and white mane and tail.  Behind him a young earthfilly with a yellow coat, a brown mane and tail, was shyly looking at me from behind him, with curiosity in her eyes.  “Where am I, who are you, and what is going on?’ I ask, as I stop thrashing about.

The elderly pony smiles and he moves off my chest, “Mah name is Doc Cross, this litt’l filly is mah granddaughter Butter Cup, ya in mah ranch house, y’all wuz in ah coma for about 2 months. Ah fixed ya up the best ah could ya came to me in pretty bad shape.  Butter Cup here read to ya every night before she went ta bed, wuz reading to ya before ya got up just now.”

I listened to him as I slowly started to comprehend all he was saying I asked, “How did I get here the last time I remember being awake was in the wasteland?”

        “Well that’ll come in time first of all, ah need to run some test on ya first then ah’ll answer yer questions.”  Doc Cross continues, “First of all ah need to get them straps off of ya and remove the nutrients bag.”  He sets about his tasks while Butter Cup just watches him and me.  “Ah’right that should do, now slowly just sit up.”  I quickly try to sit up but then I got very dizzy and fell back on the gurney.  “No’un ever listens to Doc do they, I said slowly.”  I sigh and I try again this time I slowly come to a sitting position, “Ah’right that’s good now let’s get ya on yer hooves now.”  While he said that he helps me off the gurney.  I try to put pressure on my legs I just fall right on the floor, oh god it’s cold.  Doc Cross stifles a laugh as he sees my reaction to the floor.  “Easy now there,” as he helps me up, “just lean on me, we’ll get you walking in na time at ‘tall.”  My legs felt so stiff like I never used them, it was so hard to even get them moving. Come to think about didn’t he said it has been two months.  Then the sudden realty hit me, I almost fell again. “Easy there, we don want ya falling again,” Doc interjects.  Oh fuck me with Celestia’s forehooves, the thought passes through my mind, I’ve been out two whole months! “Not to worry there ah promise this won’t take long and then ah’ll answer all yer questions,” Doc says misinterpreting the face he saw.  “Al’right just step up to this here machine and we can get a good readin of yer basic physical health.” Doc said. As I slowly headed to the machine with his help it was starting to get easier to walk, I look around and finally got a better look at this house, it seems that it was once an old ranch house rebuilt and the family room was converted into a clinic.  The sitting/dining room was adjacent to the clinic as the device was out in the hall. Once I reached out to the hall I saw To my right the door that lead out of the house to the wasteland, to my left I saw three more doors on the wall I faced, my guess would be that two of them led bedrooms and one led to a bathroom.  “Al’right,” Doc said taking me away from my thoughts,” All ya needin to do is stand on your back legs an then place yer forelegs in th’ holes,” he instructed me.  I did what he said, it kind of makes me feel weird never seen a device like this.  “Good now all ya have to do is when ya feel pressure pushing up your legs ya push back, this machine’ will also take ya blood pressure as well,” Doc instructs and continues with the explanation, “Ya will then feel pressure on ya back legs pushing up ya need to push back there as well, so y’all ready?” Doc asks I nod, “Well then ‘ere we go.” 

        The Machine starts it test as I notice Butter Cup with a concerned look nip at her grandfather’s side to get his attention and asks, “Will the pretty unicorn be al’right pappaw?”

        Doc turns to his granddaughter and said, “She’ll be just fine why don’cha go start setting up some snacks for us an’ then off to bed with ya, now scoot.”  She smiles and then heads to the sitting room as I hear sounds of clanking glass and cabinets opening.  Once she is done she comes back to Doc and gives him a quick kiss and said, “G’night pappaw.” as she goes into the first door on the left in the hallway and shuts the door.

        Finally the machine finished the tests and Doc takes a look at the results, “Ayep it seems that ya ’ave recovered well physically, now it is time for the mental tests.”  He helps me out of the machine and takes me into the clinic and did a visual test using one of those eye test posters.  He then took me into the reading room sat me down and asked for my name and asked various psychological questions.  I answered all of them truthfully, finally after the last one he pours me some water and offer’s me some apple slices.  I looked at the plate greedily as my mouth watered, I was famished.  With my telekinesis I lifted about eight slices and ate them one at a time while they hovered near me.  Doc then broke the silence, “Well the tests are done y’all are as healthy as ya coul’d be fer being in a coma fer two months,” I was on my fourth slice at this time, “now as ah promised ah will answer any questions you got.”

        I finished my fifth slice of apple started on my sixth as I ask, “How did I get here, and umm where is here?”  I finished my sixth slice going to my seventh.

        Doc sits up straighter and takes a sip of his water, “Well ya see ya were brought ‘ere by a stallion, couldn’t get a good look at ‘im but ah do remember that ‘e had no weapons besides what looked like zebra weapons no firearms,” Takes a sip of his water and eats a slice as I’m finishing up my eighth slice, “I tried to tell ‘im ah wuz closed for the night ‘til ah saw yer condition, then ‘e help me get ya in the gurney and just left, never took off ‘is cloak and didn’t speak a word while ‘e was ‘ere. As for where ya ar’, ya in Doc’s clinic I’m about a day away from Bomber City which is west ’o ‘ere,”  I lifted three more slices of apple and finishes up my water, he continues, “Been ‘ere for about 7 years and ‘aven’t been attacked yet.”  As an afterthought he knocks on the wood table.

        As I ate one of my apple slices, I ask Doc, “So that filly of yours, what is her story?” I paused, and continue, “She is not your granddaughter is she?”

        Doc looks at his water then looks up at me, “Ya right she isn’t, ‘bout 5 years ago she was found in mah yard, was malnourished and in pretty bah shape.  Ah fixed ‘er up an she been with me ever since.  Ah’ve been the only pony she knew till ya came.”  He paused, “Ya very perceptive for youn’ one how’d ya figure it out?”

        I ate another slice of apple and I explain, “First of all I notice that her features did not match some of your features, also the lay of her coat was different than yours as well,” I paused and ate my last slice and I continue, “You made a nice oasis in this screwed up wasteland and I know she loves you with all her heart even if you are not blood related.  I hope you have a quiet life from here on out but I do still worry for you.  The wasteland is bitter and eventually, even though I hope not, raiders may find this place and destroy this place.”

        He looks at me and chuckles, “missy been here for 7 years and I have few tricks up mah sleeve, ya haven’t lived as long as I have in the wastes without learning haw ta protect ya self.”  He pauses, “Well ah’m plumb tuckered out and ya needin ta go to bed as well, ya need rest, Doc’s orders.”  With that said he starts to clean up, I help him and after that was done he showed me to one of the beds in the clinic and I slowly climb into bed as he heads to the hall towards his room.  As I slowly start to fall asleep as I’m thinking on what all happened in this hell of a wasteland.

*  *  *

        Mars was standing in between her and Raven.  Both Raven and I were hurting, bleeding profusely as many wounds were all over their bodies and Mars seemed untouched.  “We are not amused your efforts are worthless all you are, are a couple of unicorn how do you expect to stand up against an alicorn a goddess.”  Mars does a dark laugh, “For your folly I will show you what happens to ponies who defy a goddess.”  Mars’ horn glows as I all the sudden couldn’t move or talk.  Raven turns to run as Mars turns on her and an energy beam shot from her horn and hits Raven as all the sudden Raven freezes an her skin starts to boil and slowly starts to burn off as then she explodes in blood, guts and brains.  Mars was no longer there I was standing in a puddle of Raven’s blood and then I heard her voice, “Mineko why did you kill me?” “I didn’t kill you mars did” I cried.  “Mineko I believed in you why did you kill me?” Raven’s voice said.  As I hear Mars’ distance laugh and she said, “THIS IS YOUR FAULT YOU KILLED YOUR FRIEND!!” as she continues to laugh, I Screamed “No YOU KILLED her, YOU MONSTER.”  Mars continues to laugh as it slowly disappears, I then screamed, “RAVEN.”  As I wake up in a cold sweet.

        At first I was disoriented then I realized I was at the clinic and I started to take deep breaths as I look around as I see a shy Butter Cup looking around the entrance frame from the hall where her bedroom was.  It was early in the morning the sun just broke the horizon.  I look at the shy filly and tried to give my best smile even though it was just bravado and she slowly walked to me and asked me, “Did ya ‘ave a bad dream?” as she slowly puts her forehooves around my neck in an innocent hug and says, “Mah pappaw always sed if you see someone ‘ave a ba’ dream ya just give the pony a hug and helps get rid of the ba’ dream.”

        I just give a surprised look at the filly and I slowly give her a hug back, “Your pappaw is a very wise pony.”  As I stifle my tears.  I thought, “The wasteland is a cruel mistress and to think this particular filly is so innocent I hope the wasteland doesn’t ever sink her teeth into this pony”

        Butter Cup releases me from her hug, “Well ah gotta make breakfast I hope ya feel better now,”  she said as she heads to the kitchen in the other room, while she was walking towards the room she turned and said, “when ah had bad dreams my pappaw would do th’ same fo’ me and it made me feel better too.”  I heard her start taking out pots, pans, and various other utensils.

        As she was working my thoughts started going into a dark place.  Mars was right, Raven’s death was my fault if I wasn’t so dead set with my vengeance against Mars for what she did to my town Raven would still be alive.  Without Raven what is left for me I’m no hero I’m a murderer.  I start to cry a little but hardly any tears came out, I think the wasteland not only stole my friend from me but my tears as well.  Doc comes out from the hallway and with a cough takes me out of my reverie.

        “I got som’ thangs for ya the mysterious pony gave to me,” Doc said as he takes me to the sitting room, “He sed to me once ya got up to give them to ya ah think ya ready for them.”  He walks to a footlocker pulls a key out, unlocks it, and opens it to show me the contents.  Inside the locker I saw my blade casting robe and armor, my saddle bags.  I take my stuff out as underneath, I gasped, and I saw Raven’s pipbuck and a strange metal container that I remember her having with her always.  I pick the pipbuck up amazed that it still looked like it was in working condition.  “Damn,” I thought, ”When Stable-Tec made an Item they made it to last.” I set it aside.  I then picked up the metal box it was locked unfortunately so I set that aside as well.  I stared at my friend’s pipbuck in awe, Doc notices the stare, ”ahem,” Doc continues, “I wuz once in a stable myself ah could attach it to yer foreleg with no problem.”

        I gave Doc a look of surprise and just nodded to him. “I guess,” I thought, “if Raven wasn’t with me then I could at least have a part of her with me.”  Doc started to work right away attaching the device to my right foreleg.  From the kitchen Butter Cup yells, “Soup’s on.”

        Doc and I cringe as I turn to Butter Cup and said, “We are just in the next room.”
        She gives an awkward smile, “Sorry force o’ habit.”  We finished up with the pipbuck we sat down to eat.  Butter Cup made some eggs and some fried apple slices that were very tasty with cinnamon flavor, along with a side of milk.  I was amazed at how well she cooked.  While we were finishing breakfast we heard a group of explosions coming from the south side of the ranch.  Doc looks up and said to Butter Cup, “Go to the cellar until the all clear signal.”

        “Got it pappaw,” she answers, as she runs to the cellar.

        Doc looks at me and said, “Get on yer armor I want ya to cover me.”

        “What’s going on Doc?” I asked.

        “That wuz one o’ the traps I set fer raiders and the like,” he pauses, “If it wa a social call it they would’ve gone the normal route.”  After he said that he quickly ran to his room and grabbed an old army helmet, put it on, and a pump action shotgun.  I quickly donned my robe and armor and verified that my gems were in the associated pouches.  Once I checked I started to head out the door following Doc as I heard, just as I reached the door, swoosh.  I look towards the noise and to my horror I see an incoming missile.  “Oh for Celestia’s sake, the raiders had a missile launcher, SHIT!!”  I thought, as I dove for Doc to get him out of the blast.  I look behind me as I see most of the clinic room go up in smoke.  I look towards where the raiders shot as a I see the one that had the launcher just kick off the battle saddle and draw a knife in his mouth and grins, I also see about 4 more of them with him he quickly sticks his forehoof towards our direction as out of the 4 there were 2 unicorns and 2 earth ponies as well as him seemed to be an earth pony as well.. They all seemed to pull out various weapons and started to take up positions to attack.  Before I could gauge the weapons I see Doc takes the shotgun in the mouth grip as it pumps and fires a shot at the leader.  The leader dodges as part of the buckshot hit an earth mare that was just near as she falls on her forelegs as the right one sustained an injury.  I then activate my magic as I try to bring out my gems to form a blade as it just fizzles, “What?!” I thought as one of the Unicorn bucks aimed and shot at me while I was not focused with his hunting rifle, in a telekinetic field, as the bullet hit me in my left shoulder, luckily my barding absorb most of the force. I heard two more shots from Doc as the mare that was injured, her neck explodes from the buckshot hitting her.  Doc yells, “Yeehaw take that ya raider bitch.”  As he said that another raider popped up from her cover as she had an assault rifle, in a telekinetic field, she shot at Doc.  I’ve never expected how nimble the old coot was he quickly dodge the shots and ducked behind his fence.  Finally I snapped out of the shock and summoned 3 of my diamonds and telekinetically sent them at the unicorn with the assault rifle, one hit her in the eye, another in the neck and the last hits her in the left shoulder and I ran towards her as she collapsed.  The buck that shot at me first decided to take this chance and shot at me and this time I wasn’t so lucky the hit me right in my right flank dead center in my cutie mark.  The burn from the bullet was unbearable and I stumbled sliding across the ground and I felt my chest burning, I stopped about 5 feet from the unicorn with the assault rifle, which was dead.  As I collected my thoughts I heard a couple of shotgun blasts and then a click.  I look up and saw Doc looking at his gun and it look jammed, the buck looked at this and took his chance and he charged him with the knife.

        “NO!” I screamed as I forced myself up as I saw the buck ram into Doc very hard as the both stumbled back about 3 feet.  I decided to charge the buck I point my horn towards him as I ran as fast as I could ignoring the pain that was surging through my right hind leg.  Boom I rammed him in his left side as my horn pierced through his left shoulder and caused a minor wound across the back of his neck, I then quickly moved my head in an upward direction as I hear the bucks flesh and muscle tear from his shoulder, and my horn was covered in blood and gore. 

 The buck stumbled about 3 feet after the attack as he looked at me his yellow eyes burning with rage and hate as he said, “You bitch, I will rape you till you bleed and then eat your corpse and piss in your skull, get her guys.”  Just then I noticed that the 2 other ponies, no I won’t call them that, the two other monsters in pony form were almost on top of me, both of them giggling as they lick their lips coming towards me.  I did the only thing I could I used my telekinesis and reached out to the assault rifle and grabbed it, I do hope it still has some bullets, and I activated S.A.T.S on the pipbuck.  Time slowed to a crawl as my heads up sparkle lit up all the parts on the unicorn that shot me with the hunting rifle.  I targeted the head and then switch to the earth mare and targeted the head there and I fired.  The assault rifle Let loose with a slow resounding three round burst in the first bucks head right behind the ears as he slowly fell to the ground as the second three round burst went through the left ear and exited out the right side of the neck, time sped up to normal as all the blood and gore sprayed all over my coat, armor and face.  I look towards the small house as I see that it was all up in flames.  The leader buck look up at me and I looked down at him, I had the assault rifle next to my head pointing him, with a look of horror as he tried to get up but fell back down do to his wound, he pleads with me, “Hey I was only kidding I swear, I didn’t mean it honestly, please don’t kill me.”

        “What about all the others you killed, did they begged for their life before you killed them!” with a determined look I pointed the rifle at his temple and released the last three round burst into his head as blood and brains scattered on the earth under his head, “The wasteland is not forgiving and neither am I!”  I drop the gun and run to the side of Doc.  He was coughing up blood as I see where the knife stab him in the right lung and it cut through a major artery as well, he didn’t have long to live, my eyes started filling with tears.

        He shakes his head slightly to get me to come closer, “Ah know it’s bad,” he coughs, ”ah know ah got only a few minutes left, and one thing ah just realized I never got yer name.”  He coughs.

        I reply “Shh, don’t talk maybe I can find something to help you, ”I continue, “my name is Mineko.”

        He laughs and coughs, “Naw Ah’m a doctor,”  He coughs, “these ‘re grievous wounds and my house is burning down.”  He coughs again, “Ya need  to get Butter Cup and take her someplace safe and willing ta take care ‘o her, take her to Bombertown.”  He coughs and whispers what the all clear signal was as he just stops breathing.  I couldn’t hold back any further as I put my forehooves around his neck and balled.  I thought “By Luna why are all the caregivers dying I should die I can’t do what they can all I can do is kill,” and I continued to cry

*  *  *

        Once the fire burned out from the house I gave the all clear signal to Butter Cup as she climbs out of the cellar and looks around shock and horror.  By now I stopped crying and I wrapped my forelegs around Butter Cup giving her a hug and I said solemnly to her, “I’m sorry but your pappaw is dead,” she looks up to my face, “I’m so sorry, I couldn’t save him.”  She busts out crying as I hold her close to my chest.  I let her cry a little longer and comforted her by saying, “it’s alright I’m here for you, just let it all out.”  I finally heard her stifled her cry and started sniffling and I let her go.

        “So what do ah do now,” she asked.

        “Well,” I answered, “first of all I’ll need your help to burry your grandpa and all the rest of the dead ponies, and then I will take you to Bombertown and find someone that can take care of you.”

        “Wha’ about y’all, what ‘ill ya do once you get to town,” she asked, “couldn’t y’all take care of I trust ya more?”

        I looked at her and replied, sadly, “you don’t want me to take care of you, I’m not a care giver all I can do is kill.”  I started using my telekinesis to gather all the bodies, I piled all the raiders together and kept Doc separate.  We then buried Doc first, marked his grave, and then we buried all the raiders in an unmarked grave.  I tallied all the items that I found off the bodies and it seems we had 1 shotgun with 12 shells, a 10mm pistol with 20 shots, 1 assault rifle with 30 shots, a combat knife, and 1 hunting rifle with 20 shots, some bandages and 100 bottle caps. Meanwhile Butter Cup was salvaging what she could from her old house for food and medical supplies.  She manage to get enough food and water to last us a week and found 4 healing potions, 1 super healing potions, 1 box Party Time Mintals, 2 doses of Med-x, 1 dose of rad-X and 3 doses of rad away.  After we gathered and packed away our supplies I did one last look around the house and saw a little statuette of a very beautiful white unicorn with a blue mane and tail, and for her cutie mark it was three blue colored diamonds, similar to the shape of my gems for my blade casting.  I decided to pick it up and I felt a rush of magical energy rush over me and I look at the bottom of the statue and saw “Be Pleasant” engraved on the bottom, I rapped it up in some cloth and put in my bag.  I went to Butter Cup as she was saying her last goodbyes to her grandfather’s grave and we started heading west towards Bombertown.


Footnote: Level up, granted perk: Cherchez La Filly: In combat you do +10% damage to opponents and sometimes access to unique dialog options with ponies of the same sex



> Fallout Equestria: Mineko's Virtue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


CH 2


Out in the wastes


(Scarf? Check. Saddle?  Check.  Boots?  Check.  ‘Spike refusing to get up and go back to sleep’?  Check.  It’s a good thing I’m so organized.  I’m ready!)


        Butter Cup and I walked to the west end of the ranch, I look back at the ruined house and fought not to shed tears unfortunately one slipped and slowly crawled down the side of my face.  Butter Cup just kept her head down and we continued to walk silently together.  I had to maintain a cool head for her I can’t fall apart in front of her as much as I wanted to.  Doc Cross was a good pony he shouldn’t have died, there are not many ponies like him in the waste and they are needed the most.  We continued to walk for about ten minutes and we reached a highway or what used to be a highway.  There were a couple of faded signs on the corner one said Ironshod Firearms with an arrow pointing west and another sign behind it Fluttershy Clinic with an arrow pointed north.  Then I spotted another sign, more recent, with Bombertown hoof painted in black with an arrow pointing west in front of the Ironshod sign.  I mentally noted about the clinic ‘maybe after I find a place for Butter Cup I’ll check there for supplies’ I thought, my first priority is to make sure she is safe.  I continued down the highway as off in the distance I saw a two floor building with a big ‘Ironshod” sign on the roof.  I make sure my heads-up sparkle was activated and I shuffled through my inventory sorter reviewed my items, still amazed at what the pipbuck could do I’m so glad that Raven taught me how to use it.  

        While I was going through my inventory I saw three red bars show up in my sparkle.  “Butter Cup find some cover,” I said, “NOW!”.  Butter Cup looked up at me as I crouched down pulled out my double barreled shotgun in my telekinetic barrier and loaded two rounds into it.  “Go now,” I said as I saw the red bars coming closer.  Butter Cup then ran towards the signs to get into cover.  I heard a howl as the red bars picked up their pace up and they finally came into sight, I shot at the lead ‘wild dog’ my pipbuck called it.  The first buck shot round hit it’s chest as it slowed for a second and my second round hit it in the head as it gets blown right off.  The other turned their attention towards me and I only had seconds to reload I moved away from them as I quickly reload as the new lead one got close enough to pounce on me as I quickly go into S.A.T.S.  Timed slowed as I felt the spell take effect I aimed 1 shot at the dog’s head that was pouncing on me as it explodes and then my second shot was lined up on the last dog’s head and in turn it exploded as I reloaded and time raced back up to normal and I stood there took a couple of deep breaths and yelled, “Butter Cup, you ok?”

        She came out of her hiding place near the signs, “Ayep, Ah ‘m fine,” She replied.

        “Good,” I said as I go over the bodies as my pipbuck scans them and lists ‘dog meat’ and gives a price in caps by the list.  I smirk and think ‘well now I understood why raven always knew how to get the right price for stuff’ as after I thought that I heard a distant female voice in my head say, “yes.”  I felt a small chill in my spine and it made my whole body shake.

        Butter Cup looked at me and asked, “Y’all ok Mineko?” with concern in her voice.

        I holster my shotgun, “I’m fine,” I replied and I take out my knife and cut out the better parts of the dogs to get the meat for sale.  I wave Butter Cup over after I was done and then said, “Let’s go.”  We continued west and I saw a billboard with the faded pink face peaking over the bottom word and it read ‘Pinky Pie is watching you’ on the top and the bottom word was ‘FOREVER’.  ‘That’s a bit unnerving, every time I see one of those’ I thought.  We continue to walk as the world slowly got darker as the sun was setting, I decide we should find a place to make camp and we were close to the Ironshod building, so we decided to head there.  Just as we got into the building it started to rain outside I look over to Butter Cup and said, “Hey head behind the counter over there,” I pointed to what look like a receptionist counter, “stay down and start setting up for dinner.  I’m going to look around for a bit and try to find some salvage and maybe some more ammo.”  She nods and I said, comforting tone, “it won’t take me long, used to do this as a living.”  I smile and wink.  She then quickly goes behind the desk and I start to explore.

        So I looked around the first floor and as I figured there was nothing, already picked clean so I headed to the east ladder well hoping I could get up to second floor.  Luckily it was not collapsed like the west one was, so I went up to the second floor.  Once I reached the door to the level I tried to open and unfortunately it was locked.  ‘Alright’ I thought, ‘time to knock and see if anyone is home,’ so I turned around and pointed my flank towards the door and then gave the door a good buck with both of my hind legs with all my strength, CLANG, I turned towards the door and all I saw was a massive dent in the door where I kicked it.  ‘Damn, wished Raven was here’ I thought, ‘she was better at the whole pick locks thing.’  I lean against the door fighting not to shed a tear I do a deep sniff and I examine the lock.  “Maybe I could pick it,” I said to myself.  I continued to examine but unfortunately I tried to pick it and lost about five bobby pins.  ‘Damn,’ I thought as I hit my head on the door a couple of times, ‘Damn, Damn, I’m so useless without Raven.’  Then in my head I heard a distant female say “You are not useless, you have the tools you just need to find them.”  The voice sounded sad, why.  Also in my mind I saw a white unicorn with blue hair just looked at me with an approving look ‘never give up.’  So I look through my inventory and saw Party time Mintals.  ‘That’s it,’ I thought, ‘thank Celestia, but wait didn’t Raven tell me a long time ago that those things were highly addictive,’ I thought, ‘but I will only take one, right, one shouldn’t make me addicted.’  So I use my inventory sorter on my pipbuck and brought out the tin of PTMs.  I pop one of the tablets in my mouth, ‘Mmm tasty,’ and all the sudden the world became so much clearer and my thoughts started to fall in place, I knew exactly how to pick that lock it was so simple why didn’t I see it before, and proceeded to unlock the door.

        I stepped through the door onto the second level and it was all offices separated by a ton of cubicles.  On the west wall there were three doors.  The room was about 60ft by 20ft rectangular and was divided into multiple square cubicles about 6ft by 6ft.  ‘Never could understand how ponies could work in those.’ I thought, as I systematically went through all of them which had 1 desk and a burnt out destroyed terminal.  After I scouted out the cubicles I found a total of 40 bottle caps, 2 boxes of 30 10mm bullets, Guns and bullets book, and Lying, Aristocrat Style.  I then moved to the west doors the south one I could tell lead to the west stairway.  The middle door was a door to an office and was locked so I decided to pick it and again was so easy, ‘wow, defiantly need more of the party time mints,’ I thought, ‘makes me feel like I could do anything and talk to anypony.’  I heard a distant disappointed sigh in my head, as I finished picking the lock and open the office door.  Sitting in the chair was a skeleton pony and on the back wall was multiple bullet indentations as if some pony came in and gunned down the pony and locked the door and left while the skeletal pony was finishing some work, luckily it seemed that the terminal here was still working, ‘Talk about sturdy equipment,’ I look through the desk and around the office found 10 bits, three un opened sparkle colas, five bottle caps, a 10mm silenced pistol, 2 more boxes of 10mm ammo, and on the desk I saw a small orange statuette of a pony with blond hair, three apples as a cutie mark and was in a confident pose, on the bottom was engraved “be strong”, I picked it up and wrapped in some clothe as I felt magic just engulf me and then just slowly felt like it merged with me.  On the skeleton as I slowly picked it up and set it to the side gentle I found an ID card of sorts so I pocketed it and sat in the chair and looked at the active computer.

        Alright I started to hack into the computer had to back out about three times but finally found the password, it was light, ‘go figure’, I look at the options there were a couple of logs and then open floor safe.  I looked around and saw underneath the desk a floor safe, ‘wow how did I miss that’, I laugh silently to myself.  I went ahead and did the open safe option and I went under the desk and took a look at what treasures lied with in.  There were 100 bits, some old finance papers, Equestria Medical Journal, A magical laser pistol, and 10 gem packs for the pistol.  I scoped up all the items and threw them into my bag.  After I gathered the items I went back to the entries and decided to look at the first log set.

        Log30014> it’s been two days since big Mac gave his life for Celestia and I just had to quite the military after that and luckily my niece was nice enough to get me a great position at one of the offices of Ironshod fire arms.  Being the cousin of the Ministry of Wartime Technologies’ Mare has its benefits.  I wonder how Apple Bloom deals with all the publicity being her sister and all
        Log30015>The war is getting steadily worse I’m starting to worry but at least our figures are up and we are gaining new contracts from O.I.A that we are making bank.  I remember when I just was a farm pony never saw this much money when I was there and my office’s efficiency is up, it was the number 1 after the inspection today.  Still though it seems that equestrian is changing too fast I’m worry that we are close to the end and that it will not be sunshine and rainbows.
        Log30016> I was visited by a member of the Ministry of Moral representative today claiming that a member of my office was suspected of selling secrets to the Zebras, I denied it but I still let them access the mainframe.  To my surprise Brightmoon was and also found out that he was actually a zebra, how the fuck did my lead pony resources manager miss that. I proceeded to fire her for her oversight and now the Ministry of Moral is cleaning my main frame I’m going to have to restart all my programs again.  So much for all the work I did making my office so efficient
        Log30017> I just received a message from the army requesting me to reconsider coming back to the army and reassume my commission.  I guess the war went bad to worse but I couldn’t just leave this company so I refused I do hope M.o.M. doesn’t try to change me because I refused.
        Log30018> Oh my god I just saw a big explosion on the horizon and a big green mushroom cloud and then My pipbuck gave me the evacuation signal so I could get to my stable.  I went ahead and sent all my workers I was going to leave after they were safely out and I finish this last entry.  I hope my family made it I hope the bomb wasn’t near my house.

        That was the last entry on the terminal so I shut it down.  I stepped out of the office and went to the last door and noticed it was a metal sliding door, over the top of the door it said lab.  I also noticed that it had a card reader lock, so I pulled out the id card I found and slid it through the reader.  There was a whole bunch of loud clicks and the door slid open, it was darker in here than the rest of the building so I activated my pipbuck light.  I shined the light into the room and saw a bunch of work benches and it smelled like gunpowder and chemicals.  I slowly walked into the room and started looking around.  While inside the lab I found 5 boxes of 20 shotgun shells and also to boxes of 20 specialty shotgun shells called dragon breath, also found a stealth buck there as well, I went ahead and put them in my saddle bags and decided to head back downstairs.

        I reached where Butter Cup was and sat down next to her and noticed she was asleep so I nudged her gently with my fore hooves and she looked up at me and I said, “Hey, found some good stuff did you eat already?”

        She Replied, ”Yep Ah did,”  she pushes a container of trail mix towards me, “here is y’alls share.”  I took it and happily chowed down and then drifted off to sleep myself.

*  *  *


        In the morning we left Ironshod and continued west unfortunately I felt like crap.  My mind seemed to be slow the world seemed cloudier than normal, all the insight I had yesterday was gone and I just couldn’t think straight for the life of me.  As we were walking I quickly brought up my inventory on my pipbuck I also made sure Eyes Forward Sparkle was up as well.  I saw the PTMs and I was about to pull them out and take one but I heard a voice in my head scream “DON’T!’ and it sounded like Raven.  Also in my head the white pony shook her head disapprovingly and the orange pony, which look like the statuette, bucked the tin out of my mind.  I stopped and put my fore hooves on my head while balancing on my rear legs.  ‘I must be going crazy,’  I thought, ‘hearing Raven and seeing the statuettes in my head.’

        Butter Cup looks at me, and said, “Ya awright Mineko, y’all don’t look so well?”

        I replied, “I’m fine just not feeling well, I’ll be fine in a bit.”  As we continued to the west and off in the distance I heard gun shots.  “Lets go Butter Cup,” I yelled as we sped up to trot.  After a few minutes I noticed 5 red bars on my E.F.S. surrounding three yellow bars.  “Butter Cup take cover over there,” I yelled and pointed to some rubble at the side of the road just ahead of us.  I brought out my assault rifle and slipped into S.A.T.S. I targeted the first three red bars that I could see as I fired.  First target got a burst of three bullets to the head as it dropped, the second one got another burst of three to its head and it dropped, and the last burst of three missed the target.  As time sped back up to normal the raider turned its assault rifle at me and fired wildly as he was laughing hysterically.  I felt two bullets hit my barding on the right side and I felt 1 bullet hit me in my left flank and I stumbled a bit, I didn’t let that stop me though.  I pulled out my knife and closed the distance on the raider.  He tried to fire the rifle at me again but luckily he was out of ammo.  I finally closed the distance on the earth pony as he tried to hit me with the rifle and ducked to the right and with the opening I used my knife and sliced across his chest.  He dropped his gun and he spun on his fore legs and proceeded to buck me in the head as I went flying back and I lost my concentration on my telekinetic holds on my weapons.  The raider ran and jumped trying to hit me with all his hooves, my S.A.T.S. was not recharged yet, I pushed myself up with my fore hooves as I jumped up and spun to get out of the way.  I pulled my pistol out with my magic and while the raider was surprised I emptied my clip of 12 bullets into him and he slowly fell.  After that one of the raider mares that was left, unicorn I think, turned her shot gun at me and fired.  Luckily most of the buck shot was stopped by my barding unfortunately some hit my left flank again and I fell on the ground again.  I decided to take three of my sharpened diamonds and telekinetically launched them at the mare, after dropping my pistol, one hit her in the side the other two hit her in the neck and severed the head and she fell.  The final raider was taken out by the caravan guards.

        I slowly picked myself up to my hooves, used my telekinesis to gather my weapons, and yelled, “All clear come on out Butter Cup.”  The caravan leader walked towards me while Butter Cup came from the other direction with bandages ready.
        “Thank you so much,” The caravan leader said, “we were almost overrunned, ummm…”

        “Mineko,” I replied and I finally got a chance to look at the leader, he was a middle aged stallion with a tan hide and red mane and tail, his cutie mark was a pick.  Butter Cup started to wrap up my flank injuries, luckily they weren’t deep.

        “Well I’m Prospector,” He replied.  I started to use my magic to stack all the bodies in a pile I counted 8 total, prospector followed me while I did it and asked, “is there anything we can do for you as thanks for helping.”

        “Huh,” I barely heard him and said, “oh ummm does any of you have any lock picking ability?”  I then loaded my shotgun with a couple of the new dragon breath rounds and shot them into the pile of bodies.  With a large crack and BOOM the shots sent to fire balls into the bodies as they got set on fire, ”by Luna’s horn, holy crap, those are some hell of rounds.”  Butter Cup’s eye grew wide after seeing those.

        Prospector jumped straight up off of all fours, he gathered his composer and came to me and smacked me in the back of the head with his fore hoof, “Why in tarnation did you do that,’ the earth pony said, “as for picking a lock I could do that for you but that is all you want for saving our lives?”

        “OOWW,” I said, “Yeah that is all I need you can have all the equipment that the raiders had.  I also didn’t want the bodies laid about for carrion to eat and I figured that was the best way to take care of them and I wanted to see what those shells did, I had a feeling it had something to do with fire.” I laughed.  I handed him the locked box I had and asked, ”this was my dear friend’s boxed, she got killed and I was hoping to get it opened but unfortunately the key is missing, she….she…was burned to death by magical fire.” I fought back the tears.

        He looked at me, “No problem,” he said, “while I work on this why do you head onto the cart and I’ll let you rest a bit while I am working on the box, we are heading to Bomber town you are welcomed to travel there with us if that is where you are heading.”

        “Sure, I’m sure both myself and Butter Cup can use the rest.”  I give her a quick hug.  So we both climb on to the cart and while we are traveling I decide to read the books I picked up and we were on our way to Bombertown.


Footnote: Level up, granted perk:: Horse Sense: You gain an additional 10% of total experience points gained

> Fallout Equestria: Mineko's Virtue Ch 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ch 3


Friend


(With a friend like this who needs enemies)


        We finally are close Bombertown from what I could see it looks like the town was built up around an old crashed pegasus bomber cart.  Prospector gives me back the case with the lock opened and said, “Here you go all done, and we are close to town.”

        “Thanks again,’ I replied, “by the way what can you tell me about the town?”

        “Well,” Prospector started, “The town has been around for about 7 years, it has all the necessities like a general store called Bob’s Bargains, he is a weird one though claims not to be a pony originally or a zebra.  Then you got the Wood Brother’s Tavern and Inn, ran by a couple of twin unicorns used to be reapers from Hoovington.  Then you got Sky-high Weapons, owned by a dashite came down about 2 years ago.  Then you got Sheriff Brightblood, who runs the town, was one of those society ponies from Hoovington.   The main reason the town grew was that in the center of town is one of those pegasi battle wagons with a working reactor so the founder knew a little bit about how to tap into that power and the whole town has electricity.  When the town grew the founder just disappeared, though that was when the general store was founded too, hmmm interesting.”

        “Well thanks for the info,” I replied, I slipped off the cart with Butter Cup and started to head to the entrance of town.  Once we were inside the sheriff stood up from his chair near is office at the entrance and started walking toward us.  He first greeted Prospector then turned toward Butter Cup and me. 

        “Good afternoon,” the sheriff said to us, “welcome to Bombertown, I am Sheriff Brightblood, what is your business here?”

        “Well sheriff,” I replied, “just need a place to stay for the night and perhaps someone willing to adopt this filly that is with me, the wasteland is no place for her, she needs a good home since her last one was attacked and destroyed by raiders.”  Buttercup looked at me with those sad eyes, not wanting to leave my side.  I’ll have to try to explain to her how dangerous it would be if I tried to take her with me, ‘be pleasant’ as the white mare shot me an approving look in my head.
        “As long as you cause no trouble you are welcomed to my town as long as you need to be,” he did a slight bow, smiled, “hopefully we can speak again, soon, as for now I must get back to work.”  He walked back to his office.  We then start off to the Inn for a good night sleep.

*   *   *

        We entered the Wood Brother’s Tavern; the bar was a square in the middle of the room with decent benches all around the bar.  Tables were scattered about the room and it was busy.  A couple of the tables seem to be playing a card game.  There were a couple of beautiful mares serving drinks to the customers, one was a green unicorn with a long sapphire blue mane a tail that shimmered with a cutie mark of what looked like a lake or pond, I felt my heart skip a beat.  The other was an earth pony with sleek brown fur that glittered in the light with a short emerald green mane a tail that also shimmered with a cutie mark of a tree of some sort, my heart also skipped a beat with that pony as well.  While they were working I found it very hard to just not stare of them, they made the room seem so much brighter and also made you forget all about the wasteland.  ‘Careful, Mineko,’ I heard in my head and again the voice sounded like Raven, I must be going crazy.  I shook my head and try to walk to the bar trying not to look at those mares, I also notice Butter Cup was having the same problem, hell even the patrons including the card players were having the same problem.  I finally reached the bar after what it seemed was forever and I notice a couple of very handsome unicorn stallions working the both were white with a brown mane and tail cropped short though one had a nice moustache, they both seemed to have an aura of command.  Hanging up behind the counter in a special area of the drink rack I saw two finely crafted swords and two sets blade caster armor.  ‘What blade caster armor’ I thought, ‘impossible.’  I took a seat on one of the empty stools and I had Butter Cup take another next to me.

        “What can I get you,” the one with the moustache asked, “You are new here as well I assume you might need a room.”  One thing I noticed as well was he spoke with an English accent; his voice was smooth and practically made me melt.

        “Ummm, yes,” I stumbled over my words, “I would like some hard cider and what do you have to eat?”  I noticed he had the most beautiful brown eyes, you could look into them and just see the depth of his knowledge and that you could trust him beyond a shadow of a doubt.

        He smiled, I melted, ‘MINEKO!’ I heard Raven’s voice again, ‘snap out of it!’  “Well we have different sandwiches,” he continued, “our most talked about ones are the daisy sandwiches but we unfortunately have a very limited supply so they are not cheap.”

        “Ok I’ll have one of those then,” I replied.

        He turned to Butter Cup, “and what can I get you my young filly?”

        “Ah’ll ‘ave the same thing she’ll be ‘aving,” she replied.

        He laughs, “unfortunately you are too young to have the hard cider young lady,” as he pointed to a sign that states “no alcohol for fillies or colts without their cutie marks.”  “It’s my bar’s rules, I’ll get you some nice milk or would you like some sarsaparilla instead?”

        “Awww come on my pappaw would let me have some on occasion, ah am old enough to take care of muself,” she replied.

        I laughed, “Sorry darlin’ but the rules are the rules,” I said, as I nudged her forehead with my nose.

        “Fine,” she sighed, “ah’ll take some sarsaparilla, you guys are no fun.”

        With that comment I laugh and give a quick hug to Butter Cup.  While the food was being prepared I heard a small radio playing a very beautiful song as it finished.  The music died away, and a voice came over the radio. “This is DJ Pon3, and that was Sweetie Belle, singing about that one great truth of the wasteland: every pony has done something they regret. And now, my little ponies, it’s time for the news! Now you ponies remember when I told you ‘bout those two ponies who crawled themselves out of Stable Two? Well, I’ve been gettin’ reports that one of those little ponies took out the raider nest in the heart of Ponyville, and saved several pony captives -- including the beloved author of The Wasteland Survival Guide, Ditzy Doo! Hey kid, thanks! From all of us! And now for some more news it seems I finally confirmed that our beloved Doctor Cross was killed a couple days ago out by Bombertown by raiders attacking his clinic, it is unfortunate that this happened to such good pony but if any of you kids are out by there, visit his grave and show your respects to one of the best doctors that was out there in the wasteland.  I’m sure that you kids are wondering how in the world does he have a grave well kids it seems that a paladin is out there because not only did the pony mark docs grave the pony also cleaned up the battle field as well and buried the raiders as well.  And now the weather: cloudy everywhere, with a chance of rain, gunfire and bloody dismemberment...”

        My eyes grew wide as in my mind.  ‘How in the world does this guy, that I never met, know what happened two days ago?!  My food finally came; I then asked the bartender, “Who is this DJ Pon3?”

        “Well,” the bartender said, “he is the voice of the wasteland; there has always been a DJ Pon3 ever since the wasteland existed.  I believe he works out of Tenpony Tower.”

        “Really, I have a couple more questions,” I said, “Where did you get the suits of armor, and who are those fine mares serving the guests?”

        He laughs, “You keep asking questions I will have to start charging you,” he continues, “well the one with the tree as a cutie mark is my wife Cynthia Wood; the other is my sister-in-law Sapphire Wood.  As for the armor one is my personal set and the other is my brother’s.”

        “I see, wood…” I said as I stared at the girls, then my eyes grew wide as I gaged a little of my drink that I just sipped and turned back to him, “Oh my god you’re one of the Wood brothers the owner of the tavern, why didn’t you say so, and she is your wife?!”  I continue to stare at him with surprise in my eyes, Butter Cup giggled, “By Celestia you and your brother are some very lucky stallions.”

        “Well first of all you never asked,” He replied snickering, “Alex Wood at your service and the other bar tender is my brother is Alan Wood,” the other waved.  He stared at my reaction of shock and awe, “you know if Cynthia met you before me she would probably have been a good friend to you,” he winked, look toward where Cynthia was working, “Cynthia come here got a pony you might want to meet.”

        “Be right there,” she replied, in her very beautiful and smooth voice, it made me just melt as I heard it.  She strode right next to me after a minute.  “So who do you want me to meet dear?”

        “This filly here is the Paladin of the waste as DJ Pon3 calls her.”  He stated matter of factly.

        I was taking a drink as after he said that, I accidently spit the drink into his face and coughed, “how in the world did you guess that he was talking about me?”

        Alex takes out a handkerchief and wipes his face laughing, “Well it is only elementary my dear filly.  First of all I recognized young Butter Cup here, but wasn’t quite sure yet.  So then I saw your face when the news came across about Doc Cross, after that I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, who you were, and because of that your food and drink tonight is on the house.  I have high respect for someone that will take the time to bury and give the proper respect to the dead, not many will take the time to do what was needed because of how brutal the waste is.”

        “Well,” Cynthia said, “It is always an honor to meet a Paladin especially one as cute as you.”  She stared into my eyes with her gorgeous purple eyes, I was in a trance almost, and she continued, “I would love to talk to you in a more private situation darling, you must tell me all about yourself at that time, but for now I must get back to work.”  She the whispered to me in my ear as she was leaving to go back to work, “I will be on break in about a half an hour we’ll talk then, darling.”

        I could feel my cheek just turn bright red especially after her tail lightly smack me on my flank, Alex was just laughing it up, Butter Cup was giggling like crazy.  I just wish I could crawl into a hole and disappeared I was so embarrassed; I swore the entire bar was staring at me.  I need a room I thought, “Umm… Alex, I think I need a room,” I squeaked.

        He composed himself, “No problem 100 bottle caps for the room for both of you.”  I dropped 100 Bottle caps as he telekinetically handed me a key.  I set the key on the counter and finished my sandwich and then I nudged Butter Cup.
        “Are you finished,” I asked.

        She composed herself, “Ayeap,” she replied still giggling slightly.

        As I got up from the bar and took the key, Alex waved to me to come closer and he whispered, “By the way my wife’s barn door swings both ways, I’ll send her to get you when she goes on break.”  He starts laughing again.  I really felt cheeks burning in my head I swore both little ponies were rolling on the floor laughing and even worse I heard Raven’s laugh in my head, I must be going crazy.  Still I really needed to find a hole to hide in or better yet a closet would be the best place to hide.

*   *   *

        We finally reached our room as twilight was descending.  I removed my armor and saddle bags and stretched ‘feels so good to finally get out of the armor’ I thought. I saw there was only one queen size bed in the room.  “Butter Cup you can go ahead and take the bed,” I said.

        “But ah’m not tired yet, Mineko,” she replied, “besides it big enuf fer the both of us.”

        “I need to talk to Cynthia first before I go to bed, but it is time for fillies to get the sleep.”

        “But ah don’t want to be by muself, especially I know you will be looking for a family fer me tomorrow and I want to be with ya at least for tonight.”  She complained while she climbed into the bed.

        “I promise I will be back as quickly as I can,” I said, “Here I’ll sing you a lullaby to help you sleep.”

        “What,” she replied, “I too old for that, ah am not a little filly any mor’”

        “Hush now,” I started to sing:


Hush now, quiet now


It’s time to lay your sleepy head


Hush now, quiet now


It’s time to go to bed.


Drifting off to sleep


Exciting day behind you


Drifting off to sleep


Let the joy of dreamland find you


Hush now, quiet now


Lay your sleepy head


Hush now, quiet now


It’s time to go to bed

        As I finished the song I noticed Butter Cup was asleep.  I gave her a kiss on the forehead and tucked her in bed better.  There was a light knock at the door I went to answer it and standing there was Cynthia gave me a pleasant smile.

        “You know my dear you have a very beautiful voice,” she said, “I just couldn’t interrupt your song to Butter Cup.”

        “Uumm… thanks,” I blushed. “But how could you hear me?”

        “Oh darling I have very good ears,” she replied, “I was going to ask you if we should go to your room or mine but I guess the young one here made the decision for us,” she laughed quietly.  “Well follow me.”

        I followed her and couldn’t help but watch her fine flank swaying as she walked, ‘was she purposely doing that teasing me or is this just the way she walked naturally’ I thought.  The little ponies kept giggling and I hear Raven’s voice saying ‘good luck’ in my head.  Shook my head ‘I must be going crazy I mean after all I was dead for two months effectively’.

        Cynthia stops in front of a door at the end of the hall and said cutely, “We’re here.”  She opened the door and invited me inn and turned on the light.  “Welcome to my room, have a seat would you like something to drink?”

        I looked around the room and said, “Sure what do you have.”  While looking around the room I noticed that it was pretty large, Cynthia went to the kitchen and it was so clean nothing like my home town.  I was in the family room where there was a nice reading chair, a big corner sofa and a love seat all in extremely good condition.  I walked around the room and saw a really nice bedroom with a king size bed; I stuck my head into the room and saw a very nice bathroom in the far right corner of the room.

        Cynthia calls from the kitchen, “We have some sparkle cola, apple cider, sarsaparilla, hard cider, vodka, brandy, and some rum.”

        “Some sparkle cola would be nice,” I replied as I walked into the bedroom to explore the bathroom.  I reached the bathroom and one thing was it was so clean and so large; the shower was big enough for two.  ‘Oh how I wished Raven was here this would be our dream place’ I thought then in my head I hear Raven’s voice, “I’m here please don’t cry.”  As I fought the tears from falling I walked out of the bathroom and I saw Cynthia standing in the doorway that lead from the family room to the bedroom.

“Well,” she said with a smirk, “I figured we would talk but if you want to get down to business I’d be happy to oblige.”  She gave a very sexy smile as she started to walk towards me. I was in a trance, her purple eyes were looking at me and it was like I was the only one she wanted to be with, as she was walking and I couldn’t speak all I could do was watch her walk she was so beautiful words couldn’t describe her.  It was just me and her, the environment didn’t exist at all the voices and little ponies in my head were gone.  She reached me I could feel her breath on my right ear she whispered to me, “You are so cute, so where should we begin, with a kiss, or something more?”  She then stuck her tongue in my ear and licked it so gently.

        I felt my face heat up like a furnace, as I finally got my voice back, “No, talking, yeah talking would be good.  I just couldn’t help myself I was just exploring, yeah that’s it exploring, heh heh force of habit.”  I said uncomfortably, what I needed right now was a cold shower.

She laughed, “well your sparkle cola is getting warm lets go back to the family room.”  As she turned, “come now we can talk,” she was still giggling.  “You know you are even cuter when you get thrown into awkward situations like that, your reaction is priceless.”

        I walked with her to the family room and she nodded to the love seat so I went to it and sat down on it.  She levitated the cola to me; I took it and took a sip of it, oh the carroty goodness was better chilled.  Cynthia had another drink in front of her as she sat next to me on the love seat.  I felt my face heat up again and I asked, “Umm, so what now?” I asked after I set down the cola and nervously clopped my fore hooves together.

        “Well, we talk,” she said with a grin, “first what is your name cause I’m sure I can’t call you paladin when we get intimate,” She laughed as she saw my eyes and face grow wide with that comment.  “Yes, your reactions are priceless,” as she gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.

        I gained my composure, yet again for the millionth time tonight, and said, “Well my name is Mineko, and wait aren’t you MARRIED!?”

        “Well, yes I am,” she replied, “but I love mares and stallions equally, and my husband lets me have lovers on occasion, as long as they are mares.”  She smiled and got up and walked to a book case in the room and looks at a small painting, “My last lover got killed by Raiders while she was guarding a caravan going to Megamart near Hoofington.  Funny thing it is my husband that always seems to find the ones that are interested in me.”  She smiled and walked back to me, “my husband understands that I enjoy the company of mares and he gives me the time, but it is not as special as what he and I have.  We had a beautiful daughter together until after the accident, and now we have no idea what happened to her.  But you need not worry about that, it is your turn dear to tell me about,” she pauses and comes near my ear and whispered in it breathlessly, “you.”  She then sat back down next to me.

        ‘By Celestia this mare is all over me, can’t believe how lucky I am.’ I thought to myself; I replied,”well where to start, ummm, I guess where I came from, I was born at Trading Post 22 and I lived there all my life.  I was one of the first fillies to get my cutie mark in my class, and that was when I realized that my talent was blade casting.  Unfortunately it was attacked a year ago while my best friend Raven and I were out scavenging, by Mars and her army.  When we got back that night it was burning and all the kids were killed along with the elderly and the guards.  After that day she and I traveled trying to hunt Mars down, after about 8 months we got her and we fought.  Unfortunately Mars was too powerful and…and..”

        “Shhh,” Cynthia interrupted, “it’s ok,” as she held me close.  She smelled so good, nothing like wasteland smells I have been smelling, not sure how to describe it.

        “I couldn’t save her,” I cried I couldn’t hold it back anymore I just balled in the hooves of Cynthia.  “I couldn’t save her, my best and closest friend, I’m worthless.  I try to protect and all I do is kill ponies!” I just continued to cry.

        “It’s ok, it’s not your fault,” Cynthia comforted me, “Mineko you are a good pony, the wasteland has always been the culprit.  Raven would not want you to stop trying to help ponies, you are more than just a killer, and you try to protect ponies from the bad ones.  Look what you were doing with Butter Cup, she would not be alive without you there.”   She raised my head from her chest and then gave me a deep passionate kiss.

        ‘Butter Cup’ I thought, ‘oh yeah.’  I just let the kiss continue as my tears started to slow down and once they were gone I broke from the kiss .  “Cynthia I have a request, I need to stop Mars she is hurting good ponies, but I can’t go after her with a filly with me.  Can you and your husband take care of her, please?’

        “Mineko,, you hardly know us,” she replied, “How can you give us that much trust.”

        “Well, first I know you guys know her because of what your husband mentioned.  Second you mentioned that you had a daughter before an accident happened that made her disappear, so I know you will take good care of her.  Third you and your husband are good ponies.”  I replied.

        Cynthia laughs, “Ok, Mineko, I’ll help you with that.  How can I refused such a cute and adorable mare’s request.”

        “Yay!” I bobbed up and down in her forelegs, like a little filly, “Thank you, thank you, Cynthia.  You helped me in more ways than one tonight I should get going will be an early day tomorrow, I’m sorry to cut the night so short so I guess I’ll owe you one when I come back and I promise I’ll come back.”  I start to get up and for once she had a surprised look in her face.

        “Ok, Mineko,” she said, “I’ll hold you to that promise, you better not keep me waiting for too long,” she said in a sexy voice.  She then escorts me to the door as I levitate the cola to follow me.  “I’ll see you later.” 

        As I stepped out the door she held open for me, “Bye, Cynthia, I hope to see you again soon.”  I continued to my room and went into it.  Still saw Butter Cup sleeping soundly I went to her gave a simple kiss on the forehead, “I found a good place for you sweetie,” as I tucked her in a little better and I heard mumble “mama.”  I smiled watch her a little longer and then I turned to the box with the memory orbs.  “Well not that sleepy right now so why not,” I muttered to myself.  I levitated one out a placed it in front of me on my half of the bed got in bed and channeled my magic into the orb as the real world faded out of existence.

ooOOOoo

        As the world  was refocused I found myself in the old Diner of Trading Post 22, my home, I was hearing dance music as some sort of party was going on, and my host seemed familiar to me.  The way she walked, and I was sure it was a she, she was looking around searching for someone.  Ponies were dancing around her I felt a weight on her back, she was carrying something heavy and almost as large as her length from head to tail.  My host continued to walk around as finally I heard a voice, my voice.

        “Raven, over here,” my voice said, “I’m so glad you could make it.  Let me take care of the package.”  As I levitated it off of Raven’s back and set it behind me.  Finally I was able to get a good look at myself as my host watched me as I took care of the package, my main was done up in a French braid and had a purple ribbon in my mane and on my flank I saw my cutie mark, a diamond with a sapphire blue core.  ‘By Luna I’m at my cutie mark party inside Raven that was 6 years ago.’  I turned look back at Raven with my icy blue eyes looking right into Raven’s, ‘my I am better looking than I give credit to myself’.  I smiled at Raven, and asked, “Why were you late, and why were you carrying my present like an earth pony, your telekinesis has always been better than mine?”

        My host smiled shyly and replied, “Well, my parents wanted me to finish with my healing spell practice before I came, and I over exerted myself because I wanted to get done faster to get here on time.” She looked down toward the floor, “I’m sorry.”

        “Well I’m glad you still came, come on lets have some fun,” I said as I ushered her to the dance floor. We started to dance along with the other ponies.  Many times other ponies cut in, as throughout the night we always seemed to be together.  After dancing a bit Raven and I went and got some water, my host was very thirsty.

        “So,” my host said, “what is it like to get your cutie mark, I still haven’t got mine yet, and on top of that how do you feel about it being a blade casting cutie mark?’  She paused, “I mean they are one of the rarest talents to have.”

        “I honestly don’t feel any different than before I got my mark,” I replied, “and don’t worry I’m sure you will get yours soon and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a six pointed star,” I laughed, “you always have been good with magic.”

        “Oh Mineko,” she replied, “that talent hasn’t been around for over 200 year and the last one to have that talent was the Ministry of Arcane Science mare, Twilight Sparkle.  According to our history she had no known kids so her bloodline is gone.  I mean at least you are directly related to the Ministry of Image mare.”

        “Oh come on you believe that hooey,” I said, “I don’t believe my parents, none of the ministry mares had a relationships, except possibly Applejack, and that isn’t confirmed in the history books.”

        “But you have that chest of diamonds with the three diamond mark on the lid,” she said.  “That was her cutie mark after all.”

        “Ha, my parents probably scavenged it and they came up with that story to make themselves seem important,” I replied, “I don’t believe anything they say when it comes to that.  I think I would rather go back to dancing, come on Raven.”  She dragged my host back out to the dance floor.

        “Just because it isn’t confirmed or not in the history books doesn’t mean it couldn’t be true,” she said.

        “Come on Raven that is fairy tale thinking,” I said, “the mares are gone and they had no kids, their bloodlines are history.  Equestria is blown all to hell and those peaceful days are gone and they will never come back.  I’m sorry Raven but reality stinks and can’t be fixed with one great and powerful spell that resets everything, there is no mares of the ministries, no princess Luna, and no princess Celestia, they are dead, gone, and their bloodlines no longer exist.  We are on our own and that is the truth.”

        My host’s eyes were blurry as I heard her cry and she turned and ran out of the diner.

        “Wait Raven,” I heard my voice calling after her.

        My host ran all around town and headed to the school.  Once she reached the school she was staring at a painting on the side of the gym which she could barely see because of the light.  Painted on the wall was a picture of Celestia on the left raising the sun and to the right was Luna raising the moon and the six mares of the ministry were together in the center.  She stared at the painting and mutter to herself, “I don’t care how bad it is without hope all is lost, I believe that they are not gone their bloodline is still here.” She sniffles and wipe her tears away from her eyes, don’t know how long she was there but I heard clopping from behind her.

        “I’m sorry, Raven,” I said behind her, “ that was wrong of me, I was a little stressed, ever since I got my cutie mark I was forced to practiced blade casting all day before my party, I was hoping I could be a singer but that dream ended after my mark appeared.”  I gave her a hug.

        “It’s ok Mineko, I shouldn’t have forced my beliefs on you, that was wrong of me.” She replied.

        “Aw Raven you never know maybe you are right, but right now we need to focus on the here and now not the future or the past,” I said, “come on the party is over and I still haven’t opened your present yet, and I would like you there when I did,” I smiled.

I escorted her back to the diner and we went to the present she gave me and I opened it.  Inside there was an odd looking piece barding along with a unique looking robe, “What is this?”

“It’s blade caster armor and robes,” she replied with a wide smile, “I found the information in a book of mine and I asked the blacksmith if he could make it and spent the whole day on it.  It is amazing how good the earth ponies are at their chosen crafts.  The robe was made by the tailor, I was able to watch him use his magic to create it, it was amazing.”

“Thank you Raven,” I gave her another hug.

	ooOOOoo

The real world came back as I lifted my head away from the memory orb I then levitated the pearl back into the case and decided to look out the window to see how long I was in the orb.  I quickly checked on Butter Cup then went to the only window in the room which gave a splendid view of the town center and the wrecked pegasi battle wagon. It was still night time probably early morning.  While I was staring out the window I saw a shadowy figure stalking towards the wreck, and just before he reached it I heard 2 muffled gun shots as one hit him in the chest and the other hit him in the head. ‘Oh my god’ I thought as I quickly strapped my saddle bags on and I ran out the room.  I needed to investigate what happened, as I ran out the inn I decided to stop and fished out the stealth buck I had and I held my 10mm pistol in my telekinetic barrier, I plugged in the stealth buck and my whole body and gun turned invisible.  I carefully but quickly worked my way to the fallen pony, due to the stealth buck’s time limit, wasn’t sure how long but hopefully was long enough.

Once I reached the body I saw he was shot in the body and then the head, the wounds looked like they were done by some sort of high caliber rifle.  Well I tried to gauge where the shot came from and based on how the body fell there was only one place it could of came from and that was the tower that was on the west side of town, thank Celestia the town wasn’t huge.  I quickly made my way to the tower and activated my EFS.  As I approached the tower all I had on my EFS was one yellow bar so I decided to start to climb the tower so I could find out what happened and who shot the poor pony.  About half way up I accidentally kicked an empty can as it clattered down the ramp, ‘oh Luna, horned fucked me’ I thought, and I froze.  I looked up as I thought I saw a head peer down towards area I was at but then it went back into the tower.  I gave a big sigh of relief as I continued to climb up the tower, I was trying to keep my right side as close to the superstructure of the tower as best as I could.  I checked my EFS again and the bar was gone I started to panic, I was three quarters the way up the tower.  During my panic I didn’t realize that my stealth buck wore off as I heard three gun shots from the air to my left as I felt a sharp burning sensation in my left flank and left side and I managed to move just right as another bullet past my neck and hit the superstructure.  I felt my whole body slam into the tower and I was bleeding bad, I also lost the field around my gun as it clanged down the tower to the ground, mental note: do not go out without armor next time.  My assailant landed in front of me and she was a beautiful pegasus mare, I had just enough of the city light  to make her out she had a very sleek and long red mane and very graceful looking tail, her coat was a tannish orange coat, and on her flank was a branded cloud with a single lightning bolt that obscured her original cutie mark, and she had a 9mm pistol pointed right at my head from her mouth grip.  ‘Oh Luna fuck me with your horn this is it I’m dead,’ I tried to get up but the wounds were worse than I thought I couldn’t move and I barely could breath, I think the shot in my side might of punctured my lung and if that was the case I would be dead in minutes without medical attention. 

The pegasus walked towards me, she put away her gun and then asked me, “Who are you, you are defiantly not one of them?”  Her voice was quiet, smooth and authoritative.

“Them,” I tried to speak, my voice was horse and I was still having problem breathing.  “I was just visiting and I saw a pony get shot wanted to know what was happening,” I coughed and the world was getting duller, “please help Butter Cup,” I said as I coughed and the world was going black.

“Hey stay with me,” I heard her say, “Hey come on…”  as the voice trailed off and I felt like I was being lifted, man I was tired, and I felt nothing after that.

Footnote: Level up, granted perk: Egghead: Gain an additional 2 skill points every level.

> Fallout Equestria: Mineko's Virtue Ch 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ch. 4


What I Fight For!


(I’ve got to fight for my friendships.  For them!  For me!  For Equestria!)

        I woke up in the morning in my bed at Trade Post 22, I heard my Father call, “Mineko, it’s time for breakfast.”  I slowly open my eyes and I smacked my lips, ‘ugg I hate morning mouth’ I thought.  “Wait where am I,” I thought out loud. 
 
        “You are at your home,” Raven said standing next me in my bed, “you need to wake up.”

        “Raven!”  I leaped out of my bed and wrapped my forelegs around her, “I had a horrible dream you were burned to death.”  Though I don’t remember neck being so big compared to my forelegs, and I also I felt a little awkward.  I finally released Raven from my embraced and I looked at myself, ‘oh god’ I thought and I ran to the bathroom and looked in the mirror and screamed, “Ahhhh I’m a filly, nooooo!”

        “Mineko!  Are you alright,” I heard my father yelled, and I heard him quickly ran up the stairs.  I stared at Raven where she stood in the doorway of the bathroom with a sad look on her face as my dad walked right through her with a look of concern in his face.  My eyes grew wide with that sight.

        “I’m sorry dad,” I replied, “I thought I saw a rad roach, sorry for worrying you.”

        “Well get down stairs for breakfast,” he replied, “then after that we need to train.”

        “But dad, I want to be a singer,” I complained.

        He replied, “I know dear, but the wasteland is dangerous and even as a singer you will need to know how to protect yourself, and I think I can help you since I know you dislike guns.”

        “Oh kay,” I wined, “I’ll be down in a minute.”  I watched my dad walk away; he was a very handsome unicorn stallion for his age.   He was very muscular, with a blue main and tail cropped nicely, his coat was solid black with two swords crossed on his flank as his cutie mark.  Once he was gone I turned towards Raven and asked, “By Celestia what is happening, the last thing I remembered was getting shot and having difficulty breathing and now I’m a filly in my old house at post 22, plus how the hell are you here your dead?” ‘I must be going crazy’.

        “This is in your mind but it is also what happened in the past,” Raven said.

        “I remember the day but I don’t remember you being here,” I replied.

        “But now I’m here with you in spirit, only you can see me Mineko.” Raven continue, “You must wake up there is a young filly who needs you and she is by the bed right now at the clinic, crying.”

        “But what am I supposed to do,” I replied, “I can’t just will myself awake can I, and wait how do you know about Butter Cup, you were dead before I met her.”

        “Magic is a very unique element I can’t explain it here and right now, but we need to get you back to reality,” she replied, “I think you should play this dream out and as long as you move forward you will awake, you stop moving forward and you will never get back to Butter Cup.”

        “Ok, I guess I need to get breakfast then and see what my dad wants to teach me.” I replied and headed downstairs for breakfast.  It smelled just the way I remembered how my mom cook and saw my mom finishing setting the table.  She carried herself very regally; she had silk green mane that was long and flowing as well as her tail.  Her coat was a pearly white and she had an air of sophistication and on her flank was a rose next to a revolver for her cutie mark.  My mom has always been great with pistols while my dad was the opposite he was good with melee weapons, no wonder they made a good team.  My mom taught me a lot about guns but I really didn’t like to use them so my dad started to train me in melee so when I was old enough I could survive with or without having a gun.  Today he was going to teach a very important spell I wish I could remember it clearer.  

        I finished my breakfast and told my father, “Ok I’m done so what’s next?”  I still saw Raven standing next to me still a little freak that everything passed through as if she was a ghost.

        “Alright,” my father said, “follow me to the back; I set up a training dummy for us to work with.”  As he walked outside to the back and I followed.  Once we reached the back he pointed his horn at the dummy that was thirty feet away, “I want you to close the distance to that dummy before me, you ready for the race?”

        “Me race you come on dad you are as old as dirt I could close distance minutes before you could,” I said and from the corner of my eye I saw Raven just smile.

He replied, with a grin, “Well then proove it!”  He glared at me with intensity, “Ready, set go!” 

        So I took off as fast as I could and after a few seconds I witnessed a flash behind me. All the sudden I saw my dad at the dummy and I was only half way there and was already huffing while he just stood there unfazed.  My mouth went wide and I tripped and fell face first into the ground, I think I caught Raven burst out laughing when I fell.  I got myself back up and finished the distance and said, breathlessly, “How’d you do that dad that was amazing.”

        My dad replied, “Blink, it is a spell I came up with.  Ever since I was young I hated guns and I valued form more than function and what better art form is there in a world that is destroyed then swordplay.   There was only one problem and that was trying to get into melee range when everypony else is using a gun.  So to get my art to function properly I had to figure out how to close distance faster than a gun.  First thing came to mind was teleportation but after research I found the only teleportation spells existed were ones that went great distances and all I need was to go about thirty feet at the most.  So I had to rewrite a teleportation spell at the magical level to just do a small distance, so I called it blink.”

        “Wow that was so awesome dad.  I never thought you did research and was good with other magic than levitation.”  I said with enthusiasm, “I want to learn that, because I’ve never been good with guns.”

        “Alright my young padawan, I will teach you the blink spell.”  My dad replied with a cheesy grin.  The rest of the day I was training and learning how to do the blink spell.  Raven was there throughout whole time supporting me and being there when I need support it was almost as if she was alive again.  I almost didn’t want the day to end I was with my dad, mom and Raven, it was so great that we even skipped lunch.  During the last half of the day my mom just watched my father and I train, I don’t remember any other times my dad was so happy we trained till the sun went down.  I finally got the spell right as it reached twilight and then mom called us all in for dinner.   

       While I was eating dinner I was real quiet and I was getting a little upset and my mom noticed this and asked, “Mineko dear what is wrong, you seem disappointed, did you not enjoy the day with your father?”

        “I did,” I replied, “and a day like this will only come once I don’t want it to end.”

        “You are right that a day like this only comes once,” my father replied, “but we can have more days that are almost like this.  This day is gone but you can’t just remain in the past Mineko you must move forward.”

        “Besides,” my mother interjected, “we hope you never have to use the training we provided you but the world is a dangerous place we want you prepared.  As far as I’m concerned I want you to chase your dreams to become a singer, so keep working towards that but just keep our training in your heart just in case you will need it.”

        “Whether or not your special talent is combat oriented or singing, you are still our little girl,” My father continued, “just because your talent may be one thing and not another, doesn’t mean you can’t do the other talent you like.  You can have more than one talent, and your cutie mark only represents the one you are best at.”
        “Thanks dad that means much to me,” I replied.

        “Now help your mother clean up and then it is off to bed for you,” my father said.

        “Aaww, dad,” I gave my best pouty face to him and he ignored it, “fine,” I sighed.  I helped with cleaning and then I went to my room and got ready for bed.  I looked towards Raven, “so are you responsible for this and if so, how.”

        Raven replied, “I am just acting as a guide for now, as for how, it is a secret,” she gave me wink, “in time you will learn that secret but for now just know that even though I’m dead I’m still with you in your heart and in spirit.  I will always help you when you need it.”

        “As will I darling,” A gorgeous white unicorn with blue hair and a three diamond cutie mark said as she appeared out from the wall near my bathroom.  “I’ve already helped you once so you can surely expect it again when you need it.”

        “Now, now we can’t go spoilin’ her, now can we.” As an orange earth pony with a yellow mane and a three apple cutie mark appeared out of the wall opposite of my bathroom, “now, sugarcube,” she looked towards me, “Ah reckon that we all will help ya when ya be needing it the most but fer now ya need to go to bed and come back ta the real world, now hurry it up will ya.”  As both the white and orange ponies just faded away.

        “Yes, you remembered what you needed to remember and it will help you in the near future,” Raven said, “for now it is all up to you I found the information in your head and I think it was well worth it.  I also was glad that I could see and live in one of your fond memories of your family.  Now soon your mother will tuck you in bed so you can sleep and now the rest is up to you.  You can stay in this fantasy but then the filly that still counts on you will be forever scarred.  So please Mineko come back us.  Come back to me.”

        “Please y’all are very strong, don’t give up,” As ravens voice changed into Butter Cup’s voice, “please ya is all the family ah have left, please Mineko don’t die, please….” As her voice faded away, and also Raven faded away.

        My mother came up to my room, “So ready for bed dear.” As she walked up next to me and help me into bed.  She pulled the covers over me up to my head and tucked sheet edges under the mattress, and kissed me on the forehead and started to walk away.

        “Mom,” I said, “please don’t go.”

        “What’s wrong dear, why are you crying?” she asked.

        “I don’t…” I stumbled over my words, “I can’t seem to want to go to sleep.”  I sniffed up my tears to make them stop.
        She walk back to me and sat on the ground next to my bed and said, “Hush now, it’s ok,” she consoled me and nuzzled me.  She started to sing quietly, “Hush now quiet now, it’s time to lay your sleepy head…”  My mother continued to sing as I slowly drifted off to sleep.


*  *  *


        Beep, beep, beep, which was all I started to hear as I slowly started to open my eyes.  I was on what felt like a hospital bed with an IV tube attached to my left foreleg.  I also noticed some sort of pod a few feet away on the wall I looked at as the grey sun was starting to peer through a window behind me.  As the haze cleared from my head I started to hear a soft sobbing behind me around my neck area.  I carefully moved to lie on my stomach turned to look at the sobbing pony as I figured it was Butter Cup I nuzzled her and said quietly, “hey kid, did you stay here the whole time I was out?”

        She slowly started to raise her head from the bed and when she saw me her face changed from sad to extremely happy, “Ya awake,” she gave me a real tight hug, and started hopping on all fours and ran out the room excitedly.  “Y’all she’s awake Mineko is awake.”

        After that all the sudden one by one ponies filed into my room.  First it was Alex Wood, then his wife Cynthia, Butter Cup ran between the two and jumped on the bed and gave me another very tight hug , and last a very embarrassed and upset tannish-orange pegasus and slowly walked up to the bed and said, “I’m sorry that I almost killed you.”  

        Butter Cup look at her very defensively, “get away from her, ah think ya done enuf!”

        “Easy now,” I said to Butter Cup, “she didn’t know me and I was kind of being sneaky and all she was trying to do is protect the town.”  I look towards the pegasus, “Am I right to assume that?  Cause I know if I was in your shoes I probably would have shot first as well.”

        “Umm yes,” the pegasus replied, “if I have known you were the paladin of the waste, I would have not shot you.  I’m glad that you are alive and I would like to make this up to you, I really didn’t mean to shoot you lethally.” 

        “Unhuh, well that was the past.” I replied, “The first thing you could do is answer my questions.”  Butter Cup was still hugging me and continued to eye the pegasus cautiously.  “First what is your name, second what is going on here, and third who was the pony you shot and why, and fourth how did you find out where Butter Cup was I never said anything that told you where she was at?”

        “Ok, fair enough,” the pegasus replied, “my name is Tempest, I own Sky High weapons and ever since a week ago I have been also been doubling as a guard, because I have training as a sniper, I was from the enclave before I came down here as a Dashite.  Second about a week ago an unknown military force attacked the city, led by a purple alicorn with a red, round cutie mark…” 

        “Wait,” I interrupted, “purple alicorn with a red cutie mark?!”  My anger and rage started rising, “Mars attacked you, that bitch is still alive!”  I saw from the corner of my eyes Alex’s and Cynthia’s eyes grew wide after I said the name and they looked at each other and nodded turned and looked back at us talking.

        “Umm, yes,” she continued, “we were lucky that it failed due to the tactical genius of the sheriff and also most people around here know how to protect themselves and are quite good at it, so how do you know who she is?”

        My left eye started twitching from the ager that was slowly coming forward I heard Raven’s soft voice in my head ‘Shhh Mineko it’s alright you knew you would find her eventually just don’t do anything rash.’ I replied “let’s just say I have a small history with her and leave it at that, please continue,” I calmly said and my eye slowly stopped twitching.

        “Alright, third the pony was an infiltrator from the enemy ever since they lost the battle; they have been trying to blow up the town using the generator in the town center.  Fourth just before you went unconscious you muttered inn so I first took you to the clinic here and nurse Flora saw your condition a quickly put you in the auto doc, and then I headed to the Inn and talk with Alan at the bar and he knew who Butter Cup was and what room she was in I quickly got her and brought her here.  Then I had to go back on guard duty and she hasn’t left your side since, you have one dedicated daughter there.”

        “What,” I replied with a look of surprise, “daughter, she is not my daugh…”

        “Out of my way,” a female voice said, “let me get to my patient, so everypony, OUT! Go to the waiting room unless you are family which I doubt any of you are so git.”  Everyone started leaving, and then I saw who the voice belonged to.  She was a middle aged pink unicorn mare with very straight red-violet mane and tail, greying in some places, the years look they were not easy on her, but I could tell she was strong willed.  She had a cutie mark that looked like a Valerian Flower.  Just before Butter Cup left she stopped her and said, “you can stay you are immediate family, right?”

        Butter cup looked at me and I nodded approvingly, and she turned to the nurse and said, “Yeap ah am, she’s my big sis.”  Butter Cup was beaming after that and sat back down next to me.  

        “Alright, let me just examine you real quick, then hopefully give you a clean bill of health and get you on your way.”  The nurse said.

        “Ok,” I asked, “by the way how much will this cost me because I’m sure that it isn’t cheap?”

        “Don’t worry about it,” she replied, “the woods are covering for you this time. But normally it is about 50000 caps for the auto doc, so don’t get shot up in the lungs again cause most likely you don’t have that much to throw around on a whim.”

        I gulped, “So I was in pretty bad shape, one of my lungs was punctured and collapsed.”

        “Yeap, the left one as a matter of fact, if Tempest didn’t wake me up and get me to put you in the auto doc I wouldn’t be talking to you now.”  The nurse replied. “I’m impressed though, I figured you be out for another day.”  As she started to conduct the exams she needed to do.

        “Wait how long have I been out,” I cringed as a waited for the answer, ‘please tell me it isn’t like the last time over two months’ I thought.

        “Eight hours,” she replied, “that’s why I’m checking you out real quick so I can free up the bed because most likely the army is going to attack again since their infiltrator probably hasn’t reported back to them yet.  I just wish they would just leave us alone cause I know a lot ponies are going get shot up and a couple of town folks will probably die.  Well at least I’ll be here to patch em up and send them back out wish doc cross was here though he was good at this better than me.”

        “May I asked why he left?” 

        “We had a little disagreement on how to manage the clinic,” she replied, “If it was up to him he wouldn’t charge for treatment or charge very little but we would run out of supplies if we did it his way, I wanted to charge at least cost of supplies.  He was a little naive but he was stable borne anyways all of those stable ponies tend to be that way.”

        “Well I think that is a noble Idea,” I replied.

        “Yeah, well he is dead now and I was unable to say I’m sorry before he passed away.  We both were so stubborn that we couldn’t even compromise.”  She continued, “I know you are the paladin of the wastes, so you were last with him, was he doing well.”

        “First of all I’m no paladin, I have no idea why DJ Pon3 said that, and he was doing well.  I believe he had a very fulfilling life unlike most ponies in the waste he died at an old age instead of very young.”  I replied, while Butter Cup started to tear up.  I nuzzled here comforted her while the nurse finished up her examination.

        “Well you are good to go,” Flora said, “now clear out I need to get this bed ready for the next time I need it.”  I sat up while she removed the IV and I started  to walk out and she called out to me, “Also thanks for letting me know how Doc Cross was doing  before he died, I can rest a little easier now.”

        I looked back at her I swore I could see her eyes tearing but from the distance I wasn’t sure, “No problem, you should make some time and go see his grave, and you can tell him you are sorry at least in spirit, life in the waste is to short do be having regrets.”

        “Thanks, Mineko, you truly have a good soul, I think that is why DJ Pon3 called you a paladin.” 

        “I doubt that, if I was better pony I could have saved him, could’ve saved the one pony I cared for, but instead I dragged her around the wastes and she got killed because of me.”  I said, “So no DJ Pon3 is wrong about me, I’m no paladin, no hero, I’m just a pony.”  I continued to walk out as I was greeted by all the ponies who visited me; I smiled at them all and then said, “Thank you.”

        They all replied, “No problem.”

        “Tempest can I see you after we leave the clinic?” I asked.

        “Sure.” We all then left the waiting room.


*  *  *


        Once we got out of the clinic the woods went back to their inn, I looked toward Tempest, nodded, and then said to Butter Cup, “Why don’t you head back to the inn, I’ll be there shortly.”

        She replied, “But ya just got up, ah wanted to spend more time with ya before we left again.”

        “I won’t be long I promise,” I continued, “I need to talk with Tempest.”

        “What, why?” Butter Cup complained, “She shot ya almost killed ya, ah don’t like her or trust her.”

        “Now Butter Cup,” I replied, “If she didn’t take me to clinic I would be dead.”

        “If she didn’t shoot ya in the first place you wouldn’t have had to go to the clinic.” She argued.

        I noticed from the corner of my eye I saw Tempest slowly lowering her head in embarrassment and trying to stay out of sight from Butter Cup, then I said, “Butter Cup now go to the inn I’ll be there shortly.” 
        “But…”

        “No buts now go.” I emphasized.

        “Fine,” she replied disappointingly and looked at Tempest, Tempest then looked up, Butter Cup then said, “Ya better not shoot her again or I swear I will figure out a way to kill ya for it!” and before I could say another Butter Cup ran off almost crying.

        I was astonished, “Butter Cup!”  I yelled but she just continued to run towards the inn, “that filly is being so rude, I can’t believe her,” I muttered.  I looked towards the tannish-orange pegasus with me and apologized to her, “I’m sorry for how she is acting what she said there was uncalled for.  She lost her only family she knew a few days ago and I guess she adopted me as her surrogate family.”

        “Oh, it’s not a problem,” Tempest replied, “I’m used to people threatening me or being scared of me.  I do owe you big time since I was the one that almost killed you; I need to repay you for what I did.  So from here on out I will protect you and Butter Cup the best I can, even though she hates me.”

        I shook my head quickly, “wait, what, what did you just say.”

        “I said,” she replied, “I’m going to protect you and Butter Cup as best as I can.  I just want to make one thing straight though; my barn door does not swing that way.”

        My mouth was wide open in shock, ‘did I hear her right’ I thought I also swear I could hear Raven laughing in my head as well.  “Wait, I hardly know you, and you are quite good look… but I would never think…. wha huh!!”

        “Well while the nurse was checking you I talked with Cynthia a bit and she mention that you are a filly-fooler and so if I was going to do what I planned to make sure you were aware of my preference for stallions.”

        My face turned very bright red and I swore that Raven was rolling around laughing in my head and I think the other two were giggling as well. Cynthia did it to me again, made me feel so awkward, ‘man that mare just knows how to push my buttons’ I thought but quickly I gained my composure.  “Umm that was not exactly how I wanted our talk to go, Tempest, I was going to ask you if you knew where the enemy base was?”

        “Why do you want to know that?”  She asked.

        “Well,” I replied, “since you killed the Infiltrator I’m sure they are going to make a move on the town and I am after Mars.  So if you knew where the base was I wanted to go and chat with them and also make sure that they understand that this town is not theirs to take.”

        “That’s crazy,” she exclaimed, “you can’t go in there by yourself, which is suicide, why do you want to kill yourself.”

        “It will not be suicide, I can take them.  I know how they work I’ve been hunting them for months.  The Woods are going to take care of Butter Cup so I can go after Mars.  So that is why I want to send a message to leave this town alone by making it not worth the price they will have to pay to take it.  So will you tell me where the base is or not?”

        “Umm,” she looked at my determined look and then continued, “ok, I don’t know where the base is but I can fly and scout around but I will only do this under a couple of conditions.  One you let me get a couple of hours of sleep and two I will be coming with you.”

        “What, no,” I said, “I will not be responsible for another pony’s death because they are following me on my quest.  A pony I cared about died and also  a pony that help me died because I wasn’t good enough, so no I’ll find the camp on my own.  It’s better that way.”  I started to walk to the gate but Tempest all the sudden landed right in front of me and stopped me.

        “Mineko,” Tempest said irritably, “Going alone is suicide and I can’t let you do that, you have a wonderful daughter.   Besides I’m not taking no for an answer, I almost killed you so this is my way to make it up to you.”

        “I already forgiven you so you no longer have an obligation, beside don’t you own the weapons store? You can’t just leave that behind.” I replied.

        “My assistant runs it so it is in good hands,” she continued, “you may have forgiven me but Butter Cup hasn’t and I’m doing this more for her sake, I know what it is like to lose a mother and if I can keep you safe and bring you back to her then maybe I can prove to her how sorry I was about almost killing you.”

        “That is not necessary, I’m leaving her here so she can grow up safe I will not be back at least not for a long time,” I sighed, “It’s best for the ponies I care for stay as far away from me as possible or they will be killed.”

        She stood there and stared at me with this really cold stare like one a mother would give a child when she was displeased with it, and in an tone of unbridled authority, said, “Now you listen to me Mineko, I will not stand you doing this you are not just hurting yourself you are also hurting Butter Cup.  She loves you like a mother, I’m not stupid, I know she is not your actual daughter but she still sees you as her mother.  Now you listen to me and listen to me well, I’m not going to take no for an answer and I am going to help weather you like it or not.”  She crouched down as if stalking me and started to prowl towards me. I started moving back nervously, “Now young lady you ARE going to go to the inn and going to spend a few hours with your daughter, so I can get a couple of hours of sleep and then scout for the base.  Then once I find it I will come and get you and we will take care of the base TO-GETH-ER, do I MAKE myself clear.”

        I gulped; she was scary, “Umm yes.” I said meekly.

        “Do I make myself clear young lady?” She exclaimed.

        “YES!” I said with as much enthusiasm I could muster.

        “Good,” she continued, “now go spend time with your daughter; I will come get you after I’m done.  Also if you do anything stupid like going there by yourself I will punish you.”

        “Wait… whaa.. huh… what can you do to me, I almost died twice?” I asked.

        She gave me a very frightening stare, “There are worst things out there than death for punishment and I know quite a few of them.”

        “Ok, ok, I get the point I promise I will let you come along.”  I gave in, she is scary, “I’m glad to have you aboard Tempest.” I offered my hoof for a hoof shake Tempest smiled and shook my hoof, after that I walked towards the inn to spend time with my daughter. ‘I kind of like that thought, I have a daughter’ then I heard Raven’s voice in my head say ‘so do I’.   I continued to walk towards the inn.


*   *   *


        I walk into the inn and I saw Alex working the bar I walked up to him and asked, “Where’s Butter Cup?”

        “Oh she is in the back helping with cooking.” He replied, “She is quite a good cook.  I wouldn’t be surprised if her talent was cooking.”

        “Really,” I asked, “why has she been doing that?”

        “Well,” he responded “when she couldn’t be with you at the clinic she worked for us for a couple of hours to make some bottle caps.  I continually told her it was not needed but she insisted, you know how the earth ponies are. While she was cooking though we got nothing but praise for our food and on top of that she would use a quarter less of the supplies compared to our primary chief.”

        “Well that is great,” I replied, “She will be staying with you guys for a while so that would be good for your business.”
        “You do realize that she might take the fact that you want to leave her behind as you don’t love her, she might be heartbroken.  You are her only family.”  He stated.

        “That is the number one reason why she has to stay here,” I replied, “I don’t think it is healthy for a filly to grow up traveling the wasteland following a pony that will be fighting and killing most of the time.  That is the main reason why she needs to stay because I love her and want her to grow up happy and safe.”

        “Hey, you don’t need to convince me, you need to convince her.” He rebutted, “but for now why don’t you get something to eat, I’m sure you are starving.  Once you finished eating, Butter Cup should be done with the chore I had her doing and you guys can spend some quality time together before you have to go do what must be done.”

        “Ok, I’ll do that, I’m starving.”

        Alex got his wife to bring me some what looked like a thick stew and I ate.  Butter Cup came out of the kitchen and ran up to me and gave me a hug. I finished my food while she sat next to me waiting and she asked, “So did ya like it, ah made muself. Something I wanted to test so was it good?”

        “It was, what is in it and what are you calling it.” I asked.

        “Well,” she replied, “ah’m callin it ponywagon porridge, It has some tofu, bunch carrots, some celery, a nice soy broth and thickened it up with some flower, and it stays well so ya can use it for multiple days and uses less of supplies as well.”

        “It is good,” I replied, “I’m happy that you came up with it, I’m proud of you.  You are such a smart filly.” I gave her a hug, “Well I was thinking we could spend some time together, if you want to, besides I need to talk to you about something.

        “Alright.”

        I get up from my stool, “Well then let’s go for a walk and talk.” I said.

        Alex interjected real quick, “Hey Butter Cup can you do me a favor while you are out, could you go to the general store and pick up some supplies for us, here is the purchase order.”  He levitated a piece of paper towards Butter Cup.

        “Sure, Mister Wood,” she replied, “ah be happy to help ya out.”  She took the piece in her mouth ran up to our room and came back down with her saddle bags. “Alright lets go Mineko.” We walked out of the inn.


*   *   *


        Butter Cup and I went walking towards the general store in an awkward silence.  ‘How am I going to tell her that she will be staying here when I leave, without hurting her?’ Then I heard Raven’s voice in my head, ‘tell her the truth and the reasons why’.  “Oh like how” I mutter under my breath.

        “Like how what,” Butter Cup broke the silence, “Is something wrong, Mineko?”

        “No,” I replied, “what gave you that idea.” I gave a forced grin.

        “Well y’all been acting strange ever since you came back from your talk with that Tempest gal.”  She replied, “did she shoot you again.”

        “What,” I laughed, “Now Butter Cup, would I be standing here if that happened.”

        “Ayeap,” she replied, “Ah’ve seen ya in worse shape and ya still ready to fight.”  She did some mimic punches while walking.

        I giggled, “I appreciate that you think so much of me but I’m no better than that pony over there,” as I pointed at a random pony, “or that one,” I point to another, “I’m no pony special.”

        “But you’ve done so much fer me,” she replied, “Ya are a special pony. At least ta me”

        I looked at her and thought ‘god that just made it harder for me to tell her’ I replied, “Thanks Butter Cup.’  We finally reached the general store, and thought, ‘I guess I will have to wait a little longer to talk to her’  Once we entered we were greeted by the proprietor and Brown stallion with an hour class as his cutie mark.

        “Ah, great customers, how wonderful, yes, yes how can I help you.” He smiled and turned to us.

        “Hiya ah got a purchase order from the Wood inn,” Butter Cup replied and pulled out the piece of paper out of her bag.

        “Oh! Right you are,” He took the paper set it on the counter and read it, “Ah, good everything seems to be in order, I’ll be right back.”  He went to the back and came pulling  a cart, with the entire order, “Heref yoth goeth,” He tried to speak with his mouth still on the cart handle, we giggled, “whath soeth funnyth,” he replied.

        “Umm, maybe it would be better if ya let go of the cart when you want to talk,” Butter Cup said giggling.

        He spit the handle out, “Oh, right, right sorry, sometimes I forget about such small things.”  He continued, “well here is the order lets go over it make sure I didn’t miss anything.” As the two of them started going down the list verifying everything was there.  I was still trying to figure out how I could tell her what I needed too.   Finally they were done Butter Cup packed as many supplies into her saddle bags as she could and then looked at me.

        “Umm, Mineko could ya help out and take the rest that I can’t fit, for me please?” She asked.

        “Sure,” I replied as I used my telekinesis as a blue glow came from my horn and then from the rest of the supplies as they lift up and fell in behind me hovering.

        “Fascinating I can never get over what you unicorns can do with your horns,” the owner commented.

        “Well thanks a lot,” Butter Cup said to the owner.

        “Oh, right,” He replied after he seemed to get his thought process interrupted, “Oh, right, yes have a good day, thanks for coming.”  We then left the store.

        After we walked a few feet away I finally got my nerve up to speak, “Butter Cup I want you to live with the Woods for a time.”

        What!” Butter Cup responded, “Why, are ya upset with me?”

        “No, it’s just that I…” I replied, “I want you to be safe and it isn’t safe out there.”

        “Ah’m a bother aren’t I,” 

        “No, I’m not saying that,” I pleaded, “I love you as a daughter and I want you to grow up safe.”

        “Well ya don’t need worry ah can take care of muself,” she replied, “ah’m not a filly anymore.” She picked up her pace.

        I tried to catch up but as I got close she went faster until we were not walking anymore, we were galloping. Once she reached the inn she went inside before I could say a word.  “Ugh!, Butter Cup come back here we need to talk!” I yelled and I walked into the inn.  I saw Alan working the bar while Alex was taking Butter Cup’s bags to the back, I dropped my load on the bar and asked “Where is she?”

        Alan shrugged, “don’t know, she came in dropped her bag off and ran off crying.  I didn’t get  a chance to look where she went, I’m sorry.” He gave a frown.

        “Great just great,” I started to cry and decided to go to our room cause I’m sure she will eventually show up there.  Once I reached to my room I sat next to the bed and put my face in the mattress and continued to cry, until I heard a knock at the door.

        I get up, dry my tears, and open the door and at the door was Cynthia, she asked “May I come in?”

        I just nodded and stepped aside, then closed the door.  She walked to the bed and sat on it then beckoned me over.  I walked to her and she put her fore legs around me and pulls me close, and asked, “What’s wrong Mineko? I know you were crying.”

        “I was not,” I replied.

        She laughed, she had the most musical laugh, “The puffiness under your eyes says otherwise.  Stop putting up a front and just cry.  Even the strong cry, hell my husband cried and he is one of the strongest stallions I met, that’s why I married him.  The point I’m trying to make dear is if you don’t cry, keep everything pent up inside, you will go crazy and not to mention what that stress does to your youthful image.”  I giggled, “So just let it all go I’m here now, cry about past losts, cry about anything, but for goodness sake just cry you are a pony not robot.”

        I thought about the death of Doc Cross, seeing my town burned down, I thought of how I saw Raven get burned to death in balefire, and last how upset Butter Cup was with me.  All those things collided in my head I just started balling like  I was a filly again, and Cynthia just remained quiet and held me close and was rocking with me in her hooves.  

        I don’t know how long I cried it seemed like forever, but finally I stopped.  After I stopped Cynthia lifted my head and gave a real long passionate kiss, I couldn’t help but kiss her back once she broke away she asked, “do you feel better now?”

        “Yes, a little,” I replied, “but I’m sure Butter Cup still thinks I hate her.”

        “I’m sure she will eventually understand why you want her to stay with us,” Cynthia continued, “She sees you as her mother and because of that she wants to be with you.”

        “I know but it is dangerous out there and I don’t think it would be a good place to raise a kid, hell even my parents found a place to settle down to raise me.  I just can’t settle down yet my work is not done but I can’t take her with me.  I love her so much that I want her safe, but why does it hurt us both, so much, doing the right thing?”

        “There,” she replied, “you are her mother and you are doing what is best for your daughter.  It is a mother’s responsibility to make sure their kids grow up right and safe.  Take this from one who was a mother herself.  Just a warning though sometimes your kid will do something unexpected, and when she does it is your responsibility to do what is best for her both physically and mentally.  Butter Cup is a smart filly she will eventually understand the decisions you made, and no matter what, she loves you and will always love you.”

        “I feel a lot better,” I replied, “Thanks again Cynthia, I guess a good cry did help.”  We broke from our embrace.

        “Not a problem,” she replied, “now I must get back to work now.  My husband probably thinks we did more than just talked.  Not that it would have been a bad thing doing that but I could tell you didn’t need it.  I will see you later then.”  She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and left my room.

        A few minutes later I heard another knock at the door I answered it, and standing at the door was Tempest fully geared up.

        “I found the base,” she commented.

        “Great,” I replied, “give me a couple of minutes to suit up and we’ll head out.”  She nodded and I quickly gathered my gear and we headed out of the inn. 


*   *   *


        Tempest lead the way and we finally made it to the Mars camp.  It wasn’t a big camp only maybe a thousand or so ponies and I couldn’t see much from the rock we were behind, “Damn what I would give for some binoculars right now.” 

        Tempest heard me and smiled, she then gave me her sniper rifle, “here use my scope.”

        I thanked her and stared at the camp through the scope and I look right at a guard’s face, I flinched and stopped looking through the scope for a second and thought to myself ‘by Luna that is a very large magnification we are still at least a half a mile away.’ So I continued to use the scope I was looking for a specific part of the camp, the armory, and there it was.  There was no way I could kill all the soldiers but I could take away all the supplies. Once that was done they would have to either wait for more or go back and get more. I believe the later would happen because if Mars wanted the city she would have already taken it or destroyed it by now.  I looked to Tempest, gave back her rifle and asked, “Can you make a rough sketch of the camp from an aerial view in the dirt please?”

        “Sure,” she replied.  She looked on the ground and found a small piece of rusted metal and drew a rough sketch of the camp.

        Once she was finished I looked at the sketch, and said, “Alright here is the plan….”  I explained to her my plan, she nodded and we quickly worked our way to the side of the camp closest to the armory.  I pointed to where I wanted her positioned.  She quickly moved up to the cloud curtain and plucked a piece of the cloud and moved closer to the ground where she was supposed to be positioned, and then planted herself on the cloud.  I waited two more minutes, thought ‘well here goes nothing,’ and then moved out.

        I hugged the landscape as best I can slowly inching closer and closer to outskirts of the camp, as long as Tempest was doing her job I shouldn’t meet very much resistance until I reached the armory.  I was about a hundred feet away from the armory sticking as close to the ground I could as I noticed a shadow over me ‘oh crap’ I thought as I looked up and saw one of the guards over me, he looked surprised I quickly brought knife out as his head exploded in blood and gore and his body fell right on top me.

        “Roseblood?” I heard an unfamiliar Mare’s voice.

        “by Celestia’s grace why is it never easy,” I mutter under my breath, “I hope tempest can shoot fast cause now I will have run the rest of the way.”  I quickly levitated the body and threw it at the mare, and charged her with my dagger, I needed to end this fast so I went into S.A.T.S.  First attack hit her in the gut, as I sliced diagonally down across her chest after the follow up for the second attack, the third attack I sliced up and hit her chin to cause her head to angle up exposing her throat and my final attack I sliced horizontally across her exposed throat as she gurgled and fell motionless onto the ground, and then time sped back up to normal.  I quickly looked around to assess the situation and I notice one, two, three, four, five rifles pointed my direction.  The first one to my right I saw its head explode, during that moment of confusion I ran as fast as I could towards the armory, to my left another one got shot, ‘I guess she is a pretty quick shot’ I thought.  As I continued to run a third one trying to intercept me got shot but one was right in front of me.  I charged at him with my dagger still out in my telekinetic envelope, and I leaped at him and with my foreleg I clotheslined him as his head went back I took my knife and slit his throat and just in case I hooked my foreleg and spun around using his neck as a pivot point.  With my back legs I slammed into his spine with all my weight and I heard multiple bones cracking and breaking,  as I was in the air I used the blink spell, I reappeared next to the tent and slid head first into the armory tent side as I came to a stop I saw the last one drop.  I knew from this point on I would be having to do this solo cause most likely Tempest was in the process of moving to a different point so they couldn’t get her.

        With my dagger I quickly cut myself free and dipped into the tent, I had maybe seconds before every single pony in the camp will be heading this way.  So I quickly gathered whatever ammo I could find and carry and then I looked for any explosive and I hit jack pot they had a small cache of C-4.  I took a brick and placed it on one of the crates of ammo that I didn’t try to open, grabbed the detonator, and with my dagger I cut a hole in the opposite side of the tent and ran. 

        As I was running to get to the distance I needed to detonate the explosive I heard a familiar scream from a tent I was running by.  “Ya won’t get away with this,” the voice continues, “ya better let me go.”  I stopped dead in my track that was Butter Cup’s voice.

        “Oh after what you did to me I intend ta break ya now,” A gruff stallions voice, “I just love the feisty ones especially if they are virgins, hold her down real good guys it’s time she got broken in and after I’m done all of you will get your turns.”

        “Noo, get away from me, let me go!”  Butter Cup screams.  With that my anger exploded I went towards the tent and in my mind I was ‘by Celestia and Luna as my witness they shall not have that innocent soul’ I felt something inside me just explode.  I used my Blink spell and appeared in the middle of that tent.  I looked quickly and counted five targets again, I used my telekinesis and threw the stallion off of Butter Cup and with my magic I touched my shards and they floated out of my bag and in an instant I formed my blade with ten of the fourteen I had.

        I looked at the stallion and seethed, “bastard!  You will not have this filly as long as I still breathe.”  My blade shined brightly with the new found power, as I sliced the stallion in half with one sweep of my sword.  I turned to the other four as they quickly started drawing their weapons.  Butter Cup ran behind me as I faced off with the last four.  The first one was a white earth pony who had a 9mm pistol squeezed off two shots one missed me as the other landed into my armor’s breast plate I barely budged from my stance and with my telekinesis my sent the four shards I had left into him two hit him in his body, one his neck and the other into his eye, he fell.  The second a brown unicorn with sludge hammer came at me from the side and hit me with the hammer on my right shoulder, I slid across the tent from the hit. If it wasn’t for my armor my shoulder would have been broken as well had the breath knocked out of me.  The third one decided to take the chance and used a submachine gun and shot at me , I quickly recovered as fast as I could as the bullets rattled my armor and a couple of the bullets found some of the armor’s vulnerabilities but nothing major.  I used my blink spell and appeared behind the sledge hammer pony and took my blade and stabbed him in the back and severed his spinal cord and he fell.  The submachine gun earth pony shot at me again I slipped into S.A.T.S, time slowed down and jumped at him unfortunately a few of his bullets hit me as I did my strikes, my first strike I did a diagonal slash from down to up across his chest, the second went from the base of the neck to his flank, the third attack I spun around stabbed him in the back of the neck and the last attack I just sliced upward and split his head like a log.  Time sped up back to normal as I noticed I had some blood in my right eye and my whole body ached I felt I could barely stand, but I forced myself to stay up and I gave the last earth pony a stare of murder as he froze and then bolted out of the tent.  With this reprieve I decided now was the time to hit the detonator as a big explosion happened right where the armory was and the concussion of the blast just threw both myself, Butter Cup and the tent about five feet away from where the concussion hit, if wasn’t for the tent breaking our fall we probably would have been dead or badly beaten.  I quickly used my blade and cut us free from the tent and ran as fast as I could from the camp and directed Butter Cup to follow.  

        Finally, after a few minutes the sun was setting, I think I still saw the fire from the explosion.  We must of at least ran three quarters of a mile before I decided we were far enough.  I was feeling a little light headed but at least we got away.  I barely could see anything from my right eye due to the blood but I turned to Butter Cup and asked “are you ok?

        “Ah am fine but wut about you, ya not lookin to good.” She replied.

        “Oh all be fin…” as I felt all my strength leave me and I fell onto my right side, ‘this is mighty nice place to rest’ I thought and it went black all I heard was a little voice in the distance.

        “Mineko, come on, Mineko don’t do this ta me ah am sorry Minek….”


Footnote: Level up, Granted Perk: Intense training agility: due to your adventures/misadventures you naturally gained a point in agility, Quest Perk: Enhanced Blade Casting level 1: You rekindled your reason to fight and, due to the power surged you received you are able to manipulate 10 shards into a blade vice 8





> Fallout Equestria: Mineko's Virtue Ch 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ch5
Family and Friends
(This here's Apple Fritter, Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apple, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp... [deep breath] Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, aaaand Granny Smith.)


Beep, beep, beep, “well this seems like a familiar sound” I thought as I slowly opened my eyes; I looked around a somewhat familiar looking clinic but it was a little different this time. To my right I saw another bed with a young yellow coated filly with a brown mane and tail, “oh my god Butter Cup,” I exclaimed and quickly sat up, but then I got dizzy and fell back down, as the equipment attached to me clattered against each other noisily from my fast movement. Nurse Flora and Tempest darted in after the clatter.

“Are you alright, Mineko?” Tempest asked.

Nurse Flora glares at Tempest as Tempest shyly started to back out of room; she turned toward me and said, “You are starting to become a regular here, not that I mind, but really you shouldn’t be here that often; it is not healthy.”  

She started to do a check up on me and finally I found my voice and said, “Why is Butter Cup here? Is she alright?  Oh I hope she isn’t hurt.”

A small yawn came from the bed next to me, “Ah’m alright Mineko, ah wuz jus a little tired is all an ah fell asleep. Don’t worry none I didn’t get a scratch on me and ya saved me but then ya fainted.”

“Butter Cup actually saved your life Mineko,” Flora interjected.

“How, what happened?” then I realized I had a soft cast on my left forearm.

Flora responded, “first of all, when Tempest carried ya here you lost a lot of blood, and I didn’t have any of your type blood in stock; you were going to die if we didn’t get blood to ya soon.  Tempest offered hers but it wasn’t right so Butter Cup then offered and just by sheer luck hers was compatible.” She shook her head, and continued, “You either have the devil’s luck, or Celestia and Luna are both watching you closely. I would hope it was the latter, because the devil’s luck costs too much in the end.” She then started to remove all of the tubes out of me and said, “Also your elbow was dislocated and you have a small micro fracture on your left forearm.  I reset the elbow and I put a soft cast on your forearm. So try to not put too much strain on it for goodness sake.  You’ll be able to remove the cast in about a week or two, but still limit strain on it for another four to five weeks, or it could break worse. Oh and what I mean about limiting strain is no more than walking on it, so no crazy shit, ya got that?”

“Yeah I got it but it seems that life doesn’t let me get away from the crazy shit,” I responded. I look towards the bed that Butter Cup was sitting up on and I slowly got out of my bed and walked to hers and said, “Thanks kid I owe you one,” and I give her a kiss on the forehead.

“Awe shucks we’re family after all an ah can’t let ya die if ah had the means ta save ya, y’all ah have left,” she said with a melancholy tone, “but now ah understand why ya want me to wait here for ya, though ah would rather be with ya but after seein what happened to ya I understand why ya want me safe. I would never forgive muhself for putting you in that situation again an ya die because of it.” She started to cry and squeezed me tight in a family embrace.

“It’s ok Butter Cup,” I replied, “we are all safe right now.”

“Well,” Flore said, “You guys go ahead an head ta the waitin room I need ta go get the sheriff, he wanted ta know when y’all were awake.” Then Flora walked out. 

Butter Cup and I broke from our embrace and headed out the door to the waiting room. “I’m glad that you are alright Butter Cup, and also glad that you understand how much I worry about you.”

She replied, “Yeah ah know now and when ya saved me ah wuz a little scared of ya but ah also thought ah have one awesome big sister, which is the best way ah can describe ya.”

I laughed and look around and saw Tempest sitting in the room with a worried look. I turned to Butter Cup and took a seat and said, “Thanks for that, I think the Woods would be the best place for you and I think you will like it there.”  As soon as I finished my words, the sheriff walked in along with and Flora taking up the rear. I was a little worried after seeing how serious he looked. After about minute of awkward silence the sheriff was the first to break it.

“I just want to say that we appreciate what you did for us m’lady, but you just stirred up a hornet’s nest,” he said.

“You do realize that if I didn’t do what I did they would have attacked sooner or later,” I replied, “and a lot more innocent ponies would have died.”

“Yes I am aware of that, but you do know that it was only a small force compared to the army they have.”  He continued, “You wiped most of them out and destroyed a big stockpile of ammo, so there is a very likely chance they will retaliate, and we are only a small town.”

“So you defended yourself from their attack force before,” I replied, “why are you so worried now?”

“You are right, however the amount of casualties we had was astronomical,” he took a more somber tone, “visit our graveyard and count how many graves are there, about 90% of them happened when they attacked us.” He continued before I could interject, “so to protect the town I want you and your daughter leaving town by tomorrow morning, to my dismay, it is the only way I can see we could possible keep our town safe.”

“You do realize that even if you send me away they will still attack,” I replied.

“Yes but also if we prove that the thorn in their side is not here then they may leave us alone. If you stayed they would probably force their way into town and destroy everything and kill everypony just to try to find you, I can’t risk it,” he retorted.

“Can you just hear yourself, what you are saying doesn’t make any sense, on top of that do you really think you can reason with them,” my voice started to louder as my anger grew, “ON TOP OF THAT YOU ARE KICKING OUT A FILLY WITH NO FAMILY BESIDES ME, IT’S…” I paused to compose myself, “it’s not safe out there for her especially being with me, at least let her stay here where it’s safe I’ll leave.”

“No,” he replied, “too much of a risk for the town, that’s final, I’m sorry. Tomorrow morning you both will leave town.” He got up from where he was sitting and walked out of the clinic.

I was seething as the sheriff was left; I wanted to kill him for his stupidity. Tempest got up and put a hoof on my shoulder which instantly calmed me down and said, “I’m sorry,” in a soft tone, “but I will be going with you.”

“Wait what,” I replied, “why? You have a shop to run and you’ve settled in a nice safe town.”

“Well my assistant can handle the shop,” she replied. “I will not stay in a place that would throw a friend and especially a filly to the wolves in the name of safety. That is the main problem in the wasteland, no pony cares about other ponies any more, and thanks to you I see that now and I want to help you, you have the power to change the world and you are just one pony. It makes me feel that even though I am but one pony I have the power to change the world. So I will be leaving with you in the morning as well.” She then walked out.

I looked to Butter Cup with a sad face, “I’m sorry Butter Cup, I wanted you to be safe but it looks like it won’t happen anytime soon,” I started to cry.

“It’s alright, Mineko,” as she hugged me, “Ah am so glad that ya see me as family an ah love you fer it. Ah am sure we’ll be jus fine.” She slowly pulls away from the hug.

“Thanks,” I said, I went and got my saddle bags from Flora and I hand them to Butter Cup, “Here I picked up some extra stuff from the camp go through it and find what we can sell and what we need to keep, that way we can pay for the medical care and get supplies for our trip, cause I have no Idea when we will be in another town.” I give her a quick hug and a peck on the forehead.

“Ok no problem ah can do that,” she replied, “will ya be alright?”

“I’ll be fine,” I responded, “I just need to talk to the Woods so they know what is going on, and I will meet you back in the room when you are done, ok?”

“Ah am on it,” as she did a mock salute, and giggle, then she ran off to do the tasks she had.  I then gathered the rest of my gear from the nurse and bid farewell to her, and walked out of the clinic.


*  *  *


I continued across town to the Wood’s inn and walked into the tavern. “Hey Mineko,” Alex said while he was working the bar, “can I get you anything?”

“Hiya Alex could use a good sandwich if you have one available,” I replied.

“Sure thing,” He continued, “Let me see what I have unfortunately we are out of the daisy ones, only get shipments of those once every six months from the society, and they usually go quick.” After a few minutes he returned with a wrapped hay sandwich. “Sorry I don’t have anything fresh for sandwiches but this is still good, they weren’t lying when they said it was sealed to remain fresh forever.”

“Err; um thanks I guess,” I laughed, “well guess a 200 year old sandwich is better than no sandwich at all.” I use my magic to open the package and I get a smell from the sandwich, it was such a unique smell like bruised vegetation, it smelled so good my mouth was watering. I quickly chowed down on it and it was so tasty like it was freshly made. I asked, “Are you sure it isn’t fresh cause it tastes great, you just made and wrapped it right,” I laughed again.

He smiled and giggled, “Nope told you they didn’t lie about remaining fresh forever.”

I finished my sandwich, and asked, “Is Cynthia around? I need to talk to her.”

“She’s upstairs, doesn’t work till night when we are busiest,” he replied.

“Ok, thanks.”

“No problem, is something bothering you?” 

“No nothing,” I replied, “what makes you think there is,” I chuckled nervously.

“Needless to say I can tell,” He replied, “I have a lot of experience with people; on top of that I’m a bartender after all we get to know people quickly.”

“Nothing you can do to help, I just really need to talk to her about my problem,” I replied, “thank you though.”

“No problem but just remember you can always talk to me if you need,” he relied.

“Thanks,” I get up from the bar and head upstairs, and went to the room she first took me to and knocked on the door.

“Coming,” I heard from inside, as she open the door and saw me standing there and said, “Mineko, come on in. So did you find Butter Cup?”  She asked as I started walking into the room.

“I did and she was almost raped by one of the soldiers at the camp,” I sighed as Cynthia offered me a seat on the couch, “she wanted to prove she could handle herself and so she went off on her own.”

“Oh my, well at least she is safe now,” she replied.

“Yes, and she agreed to stay here,” I started to tear up.

“Well that is good news right, so why are you starting cry?” 

“Because, it doesn’t matter anymore after I got healed up the sheriff came by and said we both have to leave town by tomorrow morning,” I couldn’t hold back any more and I just cried.  Cynthia sat next to me I wrapped my forehooves around her and cried into her shoulder. She wrapped hers around me in a very light embraced and just held me while I continued; “I decided to take out the camp that was outside of town because I know they wouldn’t stay there forever earlier today. It was so that I would know the town would be safe but after I finished he said it was to protect the town from the repercussions of my actions.” I cried for at least a minute before I could finally say more and I sniffled looked up at her beautiful face, “So I came by to tell you that Butter Cup won’t be staying here anymore cause we have to leave in the morning.”

“Shhh, it’s ok, I will talk to my husband later. What the sheriff is doing isn’t right but we won’t be able to change his decision before the morning but we will defiantly try to get him to let you back in town eventually.” Her horn glowed and she touched her horn to my horn, and then the glow dissipated and she said, “There I have a print of your magic so no matter where you are I can send one message to you using a message spell. That way when I get the sheriff to allow you back I can let you know.” She smiled, and it was such a beautiful smile.

‘You need this go ahead Mineko, I know you want her so bad. I don’t mind’ as Raven’s voice was in my mind, I ignored it. “Thank you so much Cynthia, you are the best.” I heard Raven’s voice again ‘stop ignoring your feelings; you need to do something besides fight all time. Kiss her like you want to and see what happens.’ I decided to go ahead and follow what my mind was thinking, and I kissed Cynthia deeply and passionately and started to rub her back with my hooves.  At first she was a little startled but then she started to get more deeply involved with the kiss and rubbing my sides. 

She started to push me down onto the couch as we continued to kiss, and I let her. My body was becoming so hot, she broke away from the kiss, and she asked, “are you sure you want this?” 

She was so close I felt her breath tickling my nose; she was on top of me I felt our bodies touching so gently. I look at her with hungry eyes and answered “Yes, I need this, it has been so long since I felt like a pony, all I have been doing for the past year and a half is fight. Whether it is fighting Mars on a battlefield or fighting for my life in a hospital bed, I want this so bad.” She smiled and then continued to kiss me. She started to kiss me around my cheek and continued down to the side of my neck. I took in a deep breath, this is the most alive I have felt in such a long time. Her hoof started tracing my body from the center of the chest and slowly working down to my rear legs and my body shuddered. She then gently caressed my thigh right over my cutie mark, and slowly moved her kissing to the center of my neck. I took both my hooves stroked her mane, it was so silky and soft. Her hoof started to move from my thigh towards the center my legs, they just reacted and slowly parted to allow her hoof through and then I received surged of pleasure as she hit her mark.

This was only the beginning and I thought to myself: I hope this doesn’t qualify as what Flora would have called crazy shit, because it feels so good I don’t want it to stop right now.


*  *  *


Cynthia escorted me to the door where I collected my stuff gave her a kiss goodbye, she headed downstairs as I headed to my room. I figured I would drop my equipment off and go get something to eat cause I was starving.  So I open up my room and I see Butter Cup lying on the bed looking over a list with a pencil in her mouth. She looked up, spit the pencil out, and smiled.  “Mineko your back ah wuz getting a little worried,” she said as she darted from the bed and gave me a hug. She sniffed a couple of times and then said, “Ya smell funny.”

I dropped my stuff as my face turned many shades of red. I swear I hear Raven and the orange earth pony laugh hysterically in my head and I see the white one just scowl at them both. I do an awkward laugh and the replied, “yeah well, I guess I should clean up, yes I think that is exactly what I should do.”

“Ya actin mighty strange are ya sure ya all right,” she asked

“Why yes I am, hehe, ummm so I will get cleaned up and then we can go eat some dinner,” I replied as at a quick pace I head toward the bathroom to get cleaned up.

After a few minutes I got cleaned up and we headed down to the main room and sat at a table. Once we were seated comfortably Sapphire came to our table, “Hiya Mineko what can I get ya?”

“I’ll take some Ponywagon Porridge and some hard cider,” I replied.

“Ok,” she replied, “and you Butter Cup?”

“Ah’ll take the same but ah guess ah will take Sarsaparilla instead,” she replied disappointedly.

“Alrighty I will be back with your orders soon,” she said as she left the table to attend to other guests. The bar was bustling; many were talking about the recent firebomb that happened outside of town earlier this morning. 

After a few minutes I hear a stallion at the bar say in a loud voice, “Hey Alan turn up the radio will ya DJ-PON 3 is coming on.”

After a few seconds the bar quieted down as the DJ’s voice rose to where you could hear it in the bar, “And now, my little ponies, it’s time for the news! Don’t know if any of you heard that explosion earlier this morning, but I sure did. It seems from a reliable source it came from a Mars Legion camp northwest of Manehattan outside of a small town called Bombertown. Yeah kids it seems that the army just took a mighty blow and from another reliable source, it was the Paladin of the Waste’s doing. The Mars Legion has been causing so much trouble up there it is about time that somepony stood up to them. So keep on fighting the good fight Paladin we all are grateful.  Now for some news on the stable…..”

I was so embarrassed that I started feeling so much heat in my face and started slumping in my chair thank god no one noticed except for Butter Cup and Sapphire who brought the food. She placed on the table and left being nice not to bring up a conversation. Then I heard Raven’s voice ‘see Mineko you are doing right I’m so proud of you’, ‘but still the DJ blows it too far out proportion it makes me sound like a bucking hero, I’M NO HERO’ I replied to her in my head. I looked at Butter Cup and she had starry stare in her eye of pride.  ‘I almost got her raped and killed, by Celestia I am no hero’ I added to my argument, ‘but she was not and that was all because of ya whether ya like it or not ya a hero at least to her’ the orange one interjected.  I quickly shook my head to try to silence them; I was not in the mood to have that argument again. Then I started to eat my food, and after a second Butter Cup snapped out of her reverie and ate her food.

Once we completed with dinner we headed up to the room, I tucked Butter Cup into bed and gave her a quick peck on the cheek, and wished her goodnight.  Once that was done I again wasn’t feeling too tired so I decided to take out the second orb out of my box and brought with me to my side of the bed. I laid down trying not to disturb Butter Cup and the channeled my magic into the orb once again.


ooOOOoo


Of course my host was familiar as I was standing in the diner at Trading Post 22 next to a table with a bunch of gifts.  There was music going with other ponies all around dancing, and having a good time, but my host was just looking around not paying any mind to the other ponies searching for some pony. Finally after a few minutes my host saw a silhouette of a pony standing at the entrance to the diner as the greyed out sun was behind it, she started to walk towards the pony and said, “Mineko, I was worried I couldn’t find you all day,” she gave me a hug. My host glanced at me as I had bandages wrapped around my ribs and band aids on my face. It was then that I realize I was at my host’s, Raven’s, cutie mark party, that was 5 and half years ago, and she was the last in our class to get it. “What happened to you Mineko you look like you went through a war?” She asked and she also noticed that my horn was glowing.

I laughed, “Don’t worry about me I had to go fetch your gift today, I’ll be fine. Sorry for being late though.”

“It’s ok,” as I levitated the gift to her as she took it in her magic and set it on the table with the rest, “but where were you all day?”

“Well I’m a little embarrassed, I woke up this morning and forgot that I didn’t have a gift for you so I decide to scavenge one for you, so I went to the Library 2 miles outside of town,” I replied.

My host gasped, “What! Mineko that was one of the libraries built by Luna’s school for the gifted, it’s dangerous there and also it is raider territory! You could have gotten killed, you only just earned your Cutie mark a few months ago,” she kept poking me in the chest emphasizing every word.

“Hey it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle,” I replied, “beside it was worth getting the best gift ever for my B.F.F, and because there was nothing here I could buy that was special enough for you. So I did the next best thing, I found one.” 

“But still Mineko you could have died, I would rather you come without a gift than risk your life for me,” she replied. “Because if you died then you wouldn’t have been here at all,” she wrapped me in a hug and started crying, as I remember that her tears hit my neck. “Please don’t do this again, ok? I don’t know how I would handle it if my best friend was killed, ok?” She lifted from the hug and dried her tears and looked me with her eyes.  I now understood how captivating my icy blue eyes could be.	“Alright I promise,” I replied and I saw myself point at Raven’s left foreleg, “What’s that on your leg Raven?”

“Oh, this,” my host lifted it up where she could look at it. “It’s a PipBuck, my parents gave it to me when I got my cutie mark, they said that everyone in the stable gets one when they get their mark. My parents know that we are not in the stable but they maintained the tradition at least for our family.” I felt my host start to get warm in the face as I felt my breath on the back of the neck. I was standing very close to Raven, I was unaware at how much I affected her back then.

“So what can it do?” I asked.

“Well,” Raven replied, “It helps with inventory, can pick up radio signals, has a mapping system, can help with computer interfacing, keeps track of your health, has a heads up sparkle display, has spell-assisted targeting system S.A.T.S, which helps you target different parts of the enemy and slows down time, and last a tracking device.”

I whistled, “Damn now I wish I was part of a stable that is nice.”

“I can see if I can get you one, I mean after all my mother was the over mare.”

“No that is way too fancy for me, I wouldn’t know what to do with a thing like that,” I replied. “Come on lets have some fun; I mean after all you finally got your cutie mark.”

Raven smiled, “Sure, I truly love you Mineko, you have helped me a lot.”

“Of course, we are B.F.Fs right, and that’s what friends do,” as I smiled. 

I immediately facehoofed in my mind  after that comment because I never realized how Raven felt till way later, and now that she is my host I can feel for real that she loved me more than a friend at that party, I was so dense at that time.

The party went on and after a while she opened all her presents saving mine for last. She got to mine and opened it and gasped. She had in her magic field a thick black book with a crescent moon on the cover. “Do you realize what you have here Mineko?”

“Yeah it’s a book, a very different book nothing I have ever seen and I knew you liked books, so I took it to give to you,” I smiled nervously.

“Mineko this is a very special book written by Princess Luna herself, it is a collection of all the spells she knew when she was alive! Do you realize how many people would want to get their hoofs on this book?”

“Oh my gosh, I didn’t know,” I replied, “I just thought it would be a great present for you.”

“Mineko, I love it,” she nudged me with snout in the neck lovingly, “but it is dangerous, so it will be our little secret.”
“OK,” I replied.


ooOOOoo


The real world came tumbling back and all my emotions got jumbled up. ‘Raven was in love with me since that party and I never knew it’ I thought. I felt anxiety, disappointment, love and anger all at once, it was confusing. I decide to get up; I put away the orb, went to the bathroom, and splashed some cold water on my face. It was still in the middle of the night so I carefully crawled back into the bed trying to make sure not to wake Butter Cup and decided to get some shut eye for once.

I slowly started to open my eyes as the room was being filled with a grey light. I smacked my lips as I heard water running in the bathroom, I looked to my side and I noticed Butter Cup was gone. I got up in a start then I calmed myself by realizing she was in the bathroom cleaning up. I sighed with relief as she came out of the bathroom, “Hey, Mineko ya awake if ya want the bathroom all yours,” she replied.

“Ok thanks, could you go ahead and see about getting us a table and some breakfast downstairs while I clean up.” I replied, “Oh and Butter Cup make sure you have all your items we will be leaving after we eat.”

“OK.”

I then did a quick clean up and checked my hair, even though it was in a braid it was all messed up but I really don’t have time to re braid so I just let it be. I then put on my armor, my saddle bags, and quickly used my pipbuck to sort through my inventory. As my pipbuck was doing its sorting I was reading down what I had. Shot gun with 20 buckshot and 10 dragons breath, 10mm pistol with 150 rounds, assault rifle with 200 rounds, some porridge, 10 wrapped hay sandwiches, 10 healing potions, 5 med-x, 1 roll of bandages, 5 tins of PTMs, 5 bottles of sparkle cola, 3 bottles of sarsaparilla, a combat knife, 5 grenades and 500 bottle caps. After I looked at the inventory I then headed downstairs to eat breakfast before our long journey.


(Footnote: Level up, Granted Perk: Toughness, because of constantly being knocked to hell and back your body has become tougher, you are able to take more damaged before your body reacts.)

> Fallout Equestria: Mineko's Virtue Ch 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ch. 6
Mysterious Stranger
(Guess I owe you for a second time)

After breakfast Butter Cup, Tempest, and I left the city as ordered. Tempest then asked, “So where to now boss,” with a smile.

“Well,” I replied, “we are going to follow the road east till we reach a couple of road signs and the head north from there to take a look at a ruined Fluttershy Clinic, after that we head south towards Manehattan to Ten Pony Tower. I need to talk to that DJ.”

“That sounds all fine and good,” Tempest replied, “but it is usually very hard to get into the tower from what I heard.”

“I’ll deal with that once we reach that bridge. Right now we need to get to that clinic and see if we can scavenge some medical supplies.” I replied.

So we started to head east it was going to be at least a day and a half before we even reached the clinic. Tempest flew ahead to scout the path as Butter Cup and I stuck together walking. Luckily close to the end of the day we reached the old Ironshod building and there I decided would be a good place to make camp. Luckly the night was uneventful though it started to rain sometime during the course of the evening. When we woke up in the morning it was still raining. We ate breakfast and headed out into the downpour.

After about a half a day we reached the signs and the rain was still continuing, “alright, we head north from here we should hopefully be there by nightfall,” I said. “This rain is not helping with travel time.”

Tempest nodded and replied, “I’ll go ahead and see if we are close, if not I do recommend we stop and find some shelter for the night, this rain will only get worse. I’ll be back in a jiff.”

“Mineko,” Butter Cup asked, “why do ya want ta talk ta DJ Pon3?”

“Well two reasons,” I replied, “first I want to talk to him about all the exaggerations and second he might know where Mars is.”

“Why do ya think he’ll know?”

“Well, he has to know something or how is it that he always knows what happened with me only hours after,” I replied.

“Ah git it now,” she replied, “That makes sense.” After that Tempest returned.

“I think we can make it to the clinic by the end of the day,” Tempest said. “We can take cover under the emergency drop off. I don’t recommend we try to explore it at night.”

“Sounds like a good plan,” I replied. We continued towards the clinic right around twilight, or what could be considered twilight, we reached the area by the emergency entrance to make camp. Unfortunately I was unable to get a good look at the building that evening, so I figured I would look at it in the morning. As we were getting settled down for dinner; I swore out of the corner of my eye I saw a pony shadow, so I decided to walk towards where I saw the shadow and there was nothing there.

“Is something wrong,” asked Tempest.

I replied, “No guess not I thought I saw something. It was probably nothing lets get some dinner.”

“OK,” Tempest said, “but I will take first watch you have second just in case.”

As the night fell it started to get colder we started a fire, and Butter Cup cooked up some of the porridge we had. After we ate Tempest pulled out a survival blanket and said, “Here you go. I have to douse the fire, so you two need to get comfy and I will wake you up when it is your turn Mineko, ok?”

“No problem.” So I got close to Butter Cup so we could share our body heat, and Tempest covered us with the blanket. She put out the fire and then stepped out into the rain and flew up, probably posting herself on the top of the overhang of the clinic that was above us.

“So ah guess ah have watch after ya right?” Butter Cup asked.

“Nope,” I replied, “you are still too young and besides you need your sleep. I want to keep you safe ok.” I nuzzled her lightly.

“Ah am not a filly anymore ah can help ya out with watches.”

“I’ll tell you what,” I replied, “I will start teaching you how to protect yourself after we explore the clinic. Once I feel you can handle the job I will let you start taking some watches, but for now just get some sleep.”

“You promise?”

“Cross my heart hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye,” I replied, and then I thought “where did that come from?”

“That came from me darling,” I heard the white unicorn’s voice in my head. I quickly shook my head ‘I swear I’m going crazy. I’ve got three ponies in my head and I’m sure that is some sort of crazy.’ I slowly drifted off to sleep.


*  *  *


I was nudged awake by Tempest, “Mineko it’s your turn now.”

“It is, ok,” I replied. I stretched and slid out of the blanket carefully so I wouldn’t wake up Butter Cup. Tempest laid on top of the blanket where I was didn’t even try to go under the blanket so I asked, “Won’t you be cold?”

Tempest just smiled gracefully, “Mineko, I’m a pegasus, how high do you think we could fly?”

“I don’t know, you are the first Pegasus I met.”

“We can fly pretty high, and though there is no good sun down here as you get higher the temperature gets colder even when there is good sun.” She continued, “So we pegasi can stand the cold better than most ponies, so to answer your question, no I won’t be cold.”

“Oh ok, I feel kind of dumb now,” I replied.

“Don’t be,” she yawned, and settled down on the blanket. Butter Cup shivered a bit so Tempest draped one of her wings protectively over her. “You know Mineko, you are so lucky to have a pony that cares about you like Butter Cup does. When I came down here I no longer had a family. See you in the morning.” She yawned again and laid her head down to sleep.

“Yeah,” I replied. After what Tempest said there, I was curious I will have to ask about it in the morning.

I decided to take up a guard about 10 feet south of camp and watched the wasteland, so far it seemed quiet. Then I saw a dark spot to the south just all the sudden move and disappeared. I quickly took out my 10mm pistol and activated my heads up sparkle and I looked to my left then right and all of the sudden a yellow blip popped up just to the right flank of me, before I could turn towards it a hoof smacked me on my horn hard as the pistol dropped as I lost my concentration, before I could do anything else a strange curved sword was at my neck and another hoof was across my mouth.

“Listen here,” A deep dark sounding voice said, “you have no business here it is dangerous. I recommend that in the morning you pack up and leave the opposite way you came in and head toward Manehatten. If you stay and get in my way I can’t guarantee your safety, so heed my words carefully.” He then released my mouth and the sword disappeared.

I quickly turned around and was about to say something and he was gone, just disappeared like a ghost. Well at least after that weird encounter the night was quiet and I just realized the rain stopped sometime while I was asleep earlier. 

As morning came I walked back to the camp and Tempest asked, “Did anything interesting happen during your watch?”

I was about to talk about the encounter that I had, but decided against it. If I told her then Tempest would go into hunting mode, so I replied, “Nope nothing interesting happened, I guess what I saw before we made camp was just me being jumpy,” I chuckled nervously.

“Are you sure?” As she gave that stare like a mother would a child that she knew you were not telling the truth.

I felt a little sweet on my brow, “Yeap nothing.” I started to nervously back away from her.

“SOOUUPS ON EVERY PONY,” Butter Cup yelled. Tempest turned around and started heading to the pot.

I gave a sigh of relief, and said to myself, “Saved yet again by Butter Cup.” I then headed to the pot for breakfast.

After we ate we started to check the perimeter of the building, and I was able to get a better look at it as well. It was three stories with a landing pad on the roof. The building itself was shaped like an L. Another thing on the roof I saw a Sparkle Cola billboard with a faded picture of a yellow Pegasus holding the bottle and smiling daintily. The building itself seemed a decient condition and of course over the main entrance was the three pink butterfly sign that marked all Fluttershy Clinics. Once we finished going around the building we determined the easiest way in was through the emergency entrance. After a couple of minutes checking our equipment we entered the clinic.


*  *  *


We filed in carefully through the emergency entrance, I had my 10mm out, Tempest had her .44 peacekeeper revolver modified for double action in her mouth grip, and Butter Cup stayed close behind me. We looked around and saw that it was setup as a standard emergency room, of course it was a mess.  The odd thing is that the lighting was flashing on and off causing our eyes to play tricks on us. Off in the distance down a hallway to my left I heard a hissing and scratching noise but then it was gone in a second.

“Whath the helf wasth thath?” Tempest asked.

“Not sure,” as I headed towards the hall, “whatever it was, it’s gone now,” I replied as I put away my gun.

“This place seems very freaky,” Butter Cup said. “Ah really don’t like it when tha lights are flashin like this, it’s creepy.”

“I’m just amazed the lights are still working and it seems the computer is operating as well.” I replied. So I sat down in the chair near the computer and started to flip through the entries, luckily the computer was not encrypted. Tempest holstered her pistol and sat down next to me and we looked at the computer.

“It seems this was just a secretary’s or a front desk computer, with record of who visited and what ailed them.” Tempest announced. The all the sudden there was a zap…boom that echoed right above us, and in an instant tempest had her pistol out.

I literally jump right out of my seat when I heard that, “Ok that was sudden. It came from upstairs so let’s go check it out. Also keep an eye out for medicine we can salvage.” I then pulled out my 10 mm and I formed my blade and we started to cautiously look for a way to get the next floor. “Butter Cup you stay close to us and also if you see any items we can use go ahead and grab them K.”

“Ya got it,” she replied. So we started to go through the first floor as we worked our way to the center of the building. On the Way Butter Cup would stop us every few feet as she saw like a closet and looked for salvage, luckily due to her size she was able to fit in many places that normal scavengers my size couldn’t get into. Unfortunately about 20 feet from the dead center of the building it was collapsed and debris was blocking us from going any further.

“Welf thith ith a dead end I thinth there was a staircath abouth ten feeth bacth.” Tempest said.

“Alright lets go to that staircase and see what is up on the second floor but keep you weapons ready just in case,” I replied. Tempest just gave a look like, no kidding, and I just smiled nervously with a slight chuckle. We then headed to the staircase and worked our way up to the next level. The staircase wasn’t very well lit and once we reached the end of the first flight of stair I tripped over something soft. I quickly adjusted the intensity of my magic aura around my weapons to create a little more light and I looked down at where I tripped. The first thing I saw was a mouth as a big as two of my hooves with rows of very sharp teeth. “AHHHHH,” I screamed and jumped back almost falling down the stairs we just climbed.

Tempest looked down and said, “Dragon!”

“A what?” and I looked again at the thing, it had a reptilian shaped and looked like it was stabbed in the throat which was what killed it.

Tempest put away her gun and continued, “It is a dragon but it is only a hatchling. The pegasus enclave has had to deal with dragons for centuries. But this dragon looks weird compared to what I was taught about, but if there is one then there will be more we need to be incredible cautious.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Ah am not likin this Mineko can we please leave the clinic, not that ah am afraid or nothin of that sort,” Butter Cup added as she drew closer to me.

“Well,” Tempest said, “hatchlings are not usually by themselves, so either there are more of them or their mother is here as well.  I recommend that we get done and get out of here quickly.” To emphasize her word she drew her pistol again and double checked the load. 

We continued up the next flight of stairs, and we entered the next floor I saw a sign that read 250-299, radiology, and pharmacy with an arrow pointing left, and 200-249, and administration with an arrow pointing right. After looking at the sign I decide we should head to the administration offices. As we continued down the hallway the lights were flashing like downstairs. While heading down the hallway we manage to cross over another dead hatchling this time there were massive burns all over the body with a burn right under what look like a small arrow, and it seemed to be the center where all the other burns came from.

“Weird I have never seen a weapon that could do that.” I commented.

“Ah really don’t like this ah think we should not be here,” Butter Cup said.

“Obviouslith we arnth alone,” Tempest added. “and you saw nothinth last nighth?” She looked at me.

“Honestly I really saw nothing,” I smiled nervously I thought to myself ‘I’m not lying really I didn’t see anything and I imagined the ponies in my head just sigh and shake their head no’ and then the orange one said ‘Sugarcube ah though ah was bad at lyin’ I then said out loud “I am not lying, I didn’t see anything.”

“Arith then I believe you Minekoth,” Tempest replied, “but I now knowth we arnth alone.” 

“Oh great as I feared she is going into hunting mode,” I thought to myself. “Well let’s just get to the offices and see if there is anything else salvageable that might be on record, also continue looking for more medical stuff Butter Cup as we are walking I don’t think many scavengers came upstairs.” I said.

We continued to move to the offices, and once we reached the offices I started to look for a computer that was working and required a password. Once I found one I sat down and set my gun on the desk and put my blade pieces away in my robe. “Ok here goes nothing,” and I started hacking and after about 30 minutes I unfortunately had to back out eight times already. It just seemed like I was not figuring out the pattern so I quickly shuffled through my inventory and I saw Party Time Mentals and I paused.

“Hey Mineko is something wrong?” Butter Cup asked.

“No, nothing is wrong,” I said to Butter Cup. I looked around as I saw Tempest watching an imaginary perimeter she created in her head. I thought to myself “I just need a little boost and I could get it.” I then heard Raven’s voice ‘Don’t do it Mineko you know how dangerous the stallion is and he is probably in the clinic, you should listen to your daughter and leave.’ I shook my head no and then thought “it is only for one more time and that’s it there is something special here I just know it.” So I pulled out the Mentals and I took one. Once I finished swallowing it I felt like the cloudiness just lifted away and I looked at the computer again and all the sudden it seemed so easy I recognized the pattern right away. I quickly went through the command lines and got into the computer, and as I was typing I also heard some scratching near the walls of the 30 feet by 50 feet room which didn’t sound good so I had to hurry. I then said, “I’m in,” to the rest of the party.

“Yay! Ah knew ya could do it, Mineko,” Butter Cup exclaimed.

“Yeap,” I replied. I then look at the menu on the computer.
1) Mail (4 messages)
2) Finance Reports
3) Open Floor Safe

Huh I looked on the floor under the chair and laughed there was a floor safe right under my nose or under my butt As I started laughing even more to myself and it ended up becoming loud enough for others to hear.

“What are ya laughin about Mineko?” Butter Cup.

“Well there is a safe under my butt, and I didn’t even notice.“ I smiled at her, “So I thought wow I’m literally possibly sitting on a fortune, as the old cliché goes.”

“Hmmm, Ah guess it could be a little funny if ya put it that way, but can we hurry up this place is given me the willies, not that Ah’m afraid, it just gives me the willies.” Butter Cup replied.

“I’m almost done just a few more minutes,” I said. So first I decided to open the floor safe, so I pick option three. I heard a click as the safe lock opened. So I opened the safe and looked in and there was a Laser pistol in decent condition, ten E-clips, 50 bits, and a little statuette of a yellow pegasus. I carefully picked up all the items in my magic field and put them all in my saddle bags except the statuette; I decided to take a closer look at the statuette and I saw pink butterflies as a cutie mark I also saw an inscription on the bottom, and it said Be Kind. “Fluttershy” I thought, “so I don’t think this is a coincidence I have three statuettes of the ministry mares, Applejack, and Rarity are my other two, amazing I didn’t even think about that.” I also felt the energy coming from the statuette it was engulfing me and it felt nice, so I looked for a piece cloth and wrapped the statuette and put it with the rest of the ones I had. Then I went back to the computer and decided to select number one on the menu, I also heard the scratching coming closer I really have to hurry, “Why hasn’t anyone else hearing it yet.”

04/20/17 Dear miss Cloud Kicker, Cloudsdale was hit and all pegasi alive are to report back to the Enclave for stable assignments immediately. 

Enclave

01/05/17 Hey CK just wanted to mail you to see how things are going, ever since the war started 16 years ago the weather patrols were forced to do tours of duty in the front lines luckily RD has been helping me by somehow keeping my rotation from coming up but unfortunately she can’t avoid it for me anymore so I will be going to the front lines in three days, so just in case I don’t make it back I just wanted to let you know you have been and always shall be my BFF.

Blossom

12/15/14 Hey Cloud Kicker I know I shouldn’t ask you to do this but Sparkler just got back from one of her sessions for Post War Stress Syndrome and whatever they did it helped, but she seemed different almost like she forgot what happened to poor Dinky.  Can you please send me some more information on P.W.S.S please I want to know what they did to my poor Sparkler.

Derpy

06/25/14 Dear Cloud Kicker 

I believe that Ditzy Doo mixed up our packages again I received the medicines that were supposed to be delivered to the clinic you work at and I believe you received our shipment of stealth bucks. If you could please help sort this out so we can remedy the situation as quickly as possible.

T. Sparkle
Minister of M.o.A.S.

After that last entry I logged out and I heard off in the distance multiple set of growls then a hissing, I turned to Butter Cup and said, “Hide under the desk and don’t come out till I get you.”

“Huh wut are ya talkin about,” Butter Cup asked confused.

“NOW!,” I screamed as I heard a BANG coming from Tempest’s pistol. I quickly grabbed the 10mm and I turned and shot one of the hatchlings as it was pouncing on me. I looked and made sure that Butter Cup hid under the desk as I told her. I saw that she did so I quickly formed my blade, and went the direction towards were the hatchling came from as I quickly slashed one that I noticed right in front of me as it fell to the ground.

Bang..bang “We’re surrounded,” Tempest exclaimed. Bang as she shot on that was pouncing on me from my left side.

“I know we need to get their attention and lead them away from Butter Cup. Time to make a path, we need to head back towards the center and after we get through this we need to stop at a couple of rooms.” I explained to Tempest. I started moving towards the exit, and another one tried to pounce and I used my blade and stabbed it through the heart as then I saw two more and they started breathing in a deep breath. I quickly activated my S.A.T.S as time slowed down and I saw the stream of some sort of a liquid spewing from their mouths. Before I realized it I was unable to dodge the one from my left as the stream hit me on my right flank and I heard a sizzling coming from there, but I reached the left one and I stabbed it in the throat and quickly recovered and then I did a downward stroke and the right one’s head came right off. After that I turned around quickly time was still slowed and I ducked as one tried to pounce on me while I was dealing with the other two; I ducked after I turned, sliced along the belly of it while it was in the air, and as soon as it fell to the ground I stabbed it in the neck, then time sped back up to normal. I quickly reassessed the situation and I noticed that Tempest was almost over ran so I quickly used my blink spell to appear next to her and I shot the one that was about to bite her in the flank with my pistol. “I think we have their attention we need to drag them away from here so we need to move.”

“Okth,” Tempest replied, “let’s go’th.” as she continued to shoot while backing towards the exit. I turn towards the door, but as I turned one of them pounced and bit me in my shoulder.

I screamed in pain as I quickly took my blade and stabbed it through the neck. Once it died it fell off luckily my armor protected me from most of the damage but I again hear slight sizzling from the bite, but I couldn’t worry about it then, so I continued to fight. As we retreated through the door I counted three left and they were forcing us back towards the center of the building by using whatever they were spitting, and not directly attacking us like at first. Bang Tempest shot and hit one in the head as it collapsed, and then we heard a big ROAR!!! 

The roar came from the center of the building. We quickly turned around as right above my head I saw two lightning bolts fly over me and the hit the last two hatchlings each landing with a resounding thunder clap. The through the debris a green liquid was streaming right at me I was a goner if it hit, but Tempest grabbed me with fore hooves and quickly took to the air unfortunately it wasn’t soon enough. As she tried to dodge the liquid it hit her left wing tip she screamed in agony and dropped her pistol, she lost control, and we crashed tumbling over each other as we slammed into the right wall of the hallway; I lost my grip on the weapons I had with my magic and the blade fell apart into its separate pieces and scatter across the hallway. After a few seconds all the sudden a big dragon crashed through the remaining debris and skidded to a stop across the hallway shook its head and roared. As it pivoted toward us we were frozen with fear or at least I was, Tempest seemed in so much pain. I finally got a good look at the dragon and it scales weren’t simmering and it almost looked like it was rotting away, it no longer had any glint of intelligence it just looked like it was running on instinct alone like a beast. Its claws were as big as me and reared up as best as it could in the cramped space and was about to finish us off as all the I saw flash of light behind it and to the right that was followed by the sound of thunder and it roared in pain. It turned and then used its breath weapon aiming for the ceiling as the green liquid melted it and made itself an opening to the sky and took off I then looked towards what attack her just a second ago and I saw a very dark blue pony with a cloak that had the hood down; he had a shoulder length mane that was black with a dark blue streak that was the same color as his body. He, at least he looked like a stallion, had a cross bow attached to his right foreleg and on it was a strange looking arrow with a rope attached to it and he fired. The arrow launched but as it left the crossbow it changed into a lightning bolt but the rope remained intact. The bolt hit the dragon and thunder followed after the impact. He jumped as the rope became taught and went flying into the air through the hole being pulled by the dragon.

Well while I had some time to recoup I finally was able to see how bad Tempest was. Her left wing tip was blackened and it looked like it was still burning a little. She was taking long shallow breaths but was still conscious so I quickly went into my inventory and retrieved some of the roll of healing bandages and wrapped up her wing as best as I could and I looked at my flank to make sure my cutie mark was still there since that was where I got hit. Thank goodness the single diamond with the blue center was still there, but I’m pretty sure my armor had it though. I’ll either have to get it repaired or try to find another set, but the cloak was still good thank goodness.

Right after I did my quick check and wrapping of the wing about five feet down the hall the dragon crashed through the roof on the floor and slid almost to the office entrance. I saw the Blue pony on its back and I quickly ran to him. He was standing in a reverent pose and as he was moving towards where the head connects to the neck on his rear legs, he had two swords strapped to his forelegs and I heard him say, “*Qe lotoc jaka myvish ihk dout loerchik ui svern vur wux nomag ssifisv, dout sepa geou qe mrith IO.” The dragon gave a pitiful roar, as he stabbed one of his into the back of the neck as the dragon gave one last muffled roar and died.

He then jumped off the back of the dragon, put his swords away, and I said “Umm thank you.”

“Did I not tell you to head to Manehatten?” he glared at me.

“Umm you said not to get in your way, and we didn’t.” I replied.

“Heh, it doesn’t matter anymore my job here is done, your friend will lose her wing if we don’t treat it soon so I will take you to Manehatten and the doctor there can help but then I’m done with you.”

“O…K, fine then but we need to stop at a couple of rooms on our way out please?” I asked

“Look it doesn’t matter to me the longer you wait on getting her wing treated the more likely chance she can lose it, so your choice I have nothing but time.” He replied.

“Ok,” I said, and I walked over to Tempest, “Can you walk?”

“Yes, I’m OK now, our wings are very sensitive but fairly strong.” She replied

I helped her up, and I summoned the pieces of my blade back to me. I put them away, and we quickly retrieved our guns, then I said to the group “I’ll be right back I’m going to get Butter Cup.” I went to the office and got her and when she finally got out from under the desk she gave me a big hug. We returned to the group and we started heading back down to the first floor and headed out.  I decided as tempting as it was Tempest’s wing was more important than stealth buck and P.W.S.S. information.

When we reached a safe distance I saw the stallion pull out a radio transmitter from his saddle bag and press the button. We heard multiple explosions; the ground trembled, as the Fluttershy Clinic collapsed giving a massive grave to the dragon and her hatchlings.

(*Be happy now sister for your pain is over and you may rest, your soul will be with IO)
(Footnote: Level up, Granted Perk: Enhanced Bladecasting Lvl. 2, you may now control 12 shards to form your blade and your blade does more damage)

> Author notes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well since I'm in a brief break here I wanted to add some author notes to give thanks and credit where credit is deserved.

First of all I want to thanks Kkat for creating the Fallout Equestria world, without her this story would not exist. Second I would like to thank AestheticB for allowing me to use Bladecasting which was what he created in his story The Immortal Game. Third I would like to thank Somber for giving me the Idea of how to handle Mineko's "crazies" in her head from his story. Finally I would like to thank my friend and roommate who helped me with development of Mars the antagonist of my story which her history will be revealed in later chapters.

I will be starting chapter 7 the last half of December due to college taking up a lot of my time so do not worry I may not be updating very fast but I am still working on it. As for now this is Tigrean signing off, see you on the flip.


 
> Fallout Equestria: Mineko's Virtue Ch 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ch. 7



Tenpony Tower



“Your Princess enjoys this...fun! In what other ways may we experience it?”


After the dust cleared I turned to our new companion and exclaimed, “Why in Tarturus did you do that? There was still stuff we could have salvaged, do you realize what you have done!”

The stallion glared at me and replied, “Yes I made a grave for a sick dragon and her hatchlings, was I to leave them for carrion to eat. That is very disrespectful to such a noble creature.”

“Noble creature?!  That was a monster with no nobility what so ever. Nobility constitutes sentience and the ability to determine right from wrong, that thing had neither.” I replied.

“That thing as you called it,” he paused, “was a dragon that was sick in the mind and could not be healed. She was once a noble and respected creature that got sick many years ago; I put her out of her misery and released her from her pain to grant her soul eternal life with the dragon god Io. So are you saying because she was sick that she doesn’t deserve a proper burial?”

“No! I wasn’t saying that but we still had rooms to explore, we could’ve gone back after Tempest’s wing was healed.” I replied.

“You do realize that Manehatten is about a week away and the reason why the place wasn’t raided before was because of the dragon?” He asked.

I replied, “But there was a whole shipment of stealthbucks there. Do you know how useful those would have been and how much money we could get from them.” We continued walking as we continued the argument.

“You made a choice, and choices have consequences…”

I interrupted, “I understand that but we could’ve come ba…”

“Enough!” He replied, “You shall let me finish my sentence, or I will treat you like the foal you are acting like.” I gulped though he didn’t yell really but still that caught me off guard. “As I was saying every choice has consequences and you chose the right path and I respected you on that but now you are acting foolish. You do realize your logic is faulty within two weeks that place would have been raided and do you really want your enemies to get these stealthbucks you are talking about.”

“Ha, they wouldn’t be able to use them cause they need this to interface with it,” as I pointed to my pipbuck.

“But did you not just say they are worth a decent amount of money, could they not change those in for more weapons?” He Asked.

“Well, yes, but I would rather get the money for supplies, but my enemies are not around here anymore.”

“Everyone is an enemy in a world like this and as for money I believe this would worth a little more than those stealthbucks,” as he pulled out a pouch with some coins from his saddlebag, he stopped and set the bag on the ground and opened it. I stopped and looked inside the bag and I saw very shiny silvery coins in the bag that I have never seen before in my life that looked like bits but had very strange symbols on them. Tempest stopped and looked in the bag and gasped.

“What is it Tempest,” I asked.

Butter Cup interject, “Oh my gosh, that there are some shiny pieces of metal, what are they?”

“I think that is platinum,” Tempest replied.

“So, what use is platinum? It has no worth now a days because no one uses jewelry anymore because it isn’t useful for survival,” I replied.

Tempest replied, “That is where you are wrong, the Pegasus Enclave still uses it for a lot of their vehicles and unicorns still use it when making weapons and equipment, and especially used by The Collegiate for restoring medical equipment and prototypes of new equipment.”

“Let me simplify it for you,” the colt replied. “What she is saying that this is worth more than those stealthbucks.” He closed the bag lifted it up and then placed it in my saddlebag. “That should cover how much those stealthbucks might have been worth.”

“Wha…huh… but why, I can’t take those.” As I levitated it out of my bag to give the coins back to him.

“Keep it. Trust me that is only a sliver of what I actually have,” he replied. “Consider it a reward for you helping me slightly, I could have done it myself but with your distraction I was able to accomplish my mission faster.”

“Ummm…thanks I guess, by the way I never got your name,” I levitated the bag back into my pack.

“Oh, right I guess I haven’t introduced myself,” and with flourish and a bow he replied. “I am Shadous Noctu.” Then we continued to trek south on our way to Manehatten, as I introduced him to the rest of my friends.


*  *  *


It took us about a week of travel. Every night either I or Butter Cup would change out the wing dressing while Shadous took the first watch and would stand watch for about four hours and then we would leave two hours after I started watch. Only getting four hours asleep at night was taking a toll on me but he seemed refreshed every single day I really wanted to learn his secret. ‘There is really something odd about that pony’ as Raven’s voice echoed in my head, then came ‘yeap ah reckon ya got something there’ the orange one, ‘well he is kind of dark’ the white one, Then a new one showed up a Yellow Pegasus look a lot like the picture in the clinic, ‘he seems…nice, Darling how can you say that’ the white one replied. “Shut up,” I almost screamed but I kept myself at a whisper.

Shadous turned towards me with a strange look and he was about 4 feet away from me and I thought to myself, “Oh god I think he heard me.” He then turned back facing forward. Shadous remained true to his word he lead us to the entrance of Tenpony Tower but we stopped abruptly as the guard behind the closed door was talking to the group ahead of us. In the lead was a unicorn that was the same color as Raven which was a charcoal colored coat but her mane and tail was white with purple stripes, if it wasn’t for her mane I would have thought Raven was alive again. Right behind her was a pegasus with a rust colored coat, and a blond mane and tail, with a Stetson on his head and a battle saddle strapped to his body. Behind him was another unicorn with a grey coat wearing some sort of utility barding and had a brown mane and tail, but I noticed she had a pipbuck. The oddest thing though was a totally metal pony behind her I think it was a Steel Ranger but they don’t usually travel with anypony else except other Steel Rangers. So I was curious so I started to work my way closer so I could hear what was going on.

“What are you doing?” Shadous asked while he stopped me.

I replied, “I just wanted to listen in, because usually Rangers don’t travel with other ponies without a good reason I intend to try to find out.”

“It is not our problem you could get killed or worse endanger the rest of us,” he calmly replied.

“Don’t worry I’ll be careful,” I slipped by him and moved close enough to try to hear the conversation.

“Toaster repairpony.” I heard the grey one say, “His…um… toaster’s on the fritz?” the charcoal one looked pained by that comment.

“Look,” The charcoal one replied, “as much as I’d love to just stand here outside while you get in trouble for not letting us in, it is getting dark. Would one hundred bottle caps help move this along?”

“Two hundred,” the guard replied behind the door.

“One-hundred and twenty-five. And I don’t tell DJ Pon3 that you tried to extort his guests.” She replied. After that I decided that I got enough information beside I think the Ranger spotted me so I nonchalantly walked back to my group hoping he didn’t notice I was listening. ‘Oh that charcoal unicorn was good’ the white unicorn mentioned in my head, I ignored her.

“Huh you are still alive,” Shadous replied. “You got lucky.”

“Ok, I really don’t get you one minute you are nice the next you can be a complete ass.”

“It’s simple I hate peo...” cough, “ponies for being stupid, and what you did was foalish. It was none of your business and your curiosity will kill you eventually, and I will not save you again I saved you twice already.”

“Twice,” I replied, “I only counted once and that was the dragon.”

“I was the one that took your comatose body to Doc Cross three months ago,” he exclaimed.

“No way was that you, I don’t beli….”

“Enough,” Tempest yelled, “If you two don’t shut up I will put both of you in opposite corners and give you both a time out once we reach inside.” she gave a very assertive look to both of us.

“Eeep,” and I went quiet.

“Really,” Shadous turned to her and gave a very cold stare, “I like to see you try it.”

Tempest’s look went from assertive to very dark. I got chills up my spine and I turned away from her, “Then stop acting like a foal and I won’t have to say such things,” she growled.

“I could just leave you here and go in myself,” he responded slyly. 

Her look never changed “but you won’t you invested too much time in us already, like you said you saved Mineko twice.”

“You won this round Tempest but don’t push me,” He replied, “or you will feel how hard I can push back.” 

“Umm, can we git going ah am a little nervous bein out here when the sun goes down.” Buttercup interjected. So we started to head to the door to get into Tenpony Tower.

We reached the door as a little view port opened the guard looked out and then said “Mr. Noctu welcome, may I ask who is with you?”

“These are my guests, some business associates of mine and will be staying with me for a couple of weeks.”

“Sure no problem,” the guard replied. “Are they aware that they must leave their ammo at the gate.”

“We will take care of that in a minute I also need you to send a message to the Helpinghoof  Clinic and tell Life Bloom we have an emergency for a pegasus’ wing that needs to be dealt with tonight or she may lose her wing.”

“Not a problem sir I will send a message now,” as the slot closes and door was opened. “Right this way please,” the guard said. The guard escorted us to the inner gate and then a unicorn came out and their horn glowed as all the ammo we had including what was loaded in our guns were collected in a magical field and stored in the guard house.

The unicorn turned back to us and said, “you will get your ammo back when you leave the tower if you would like to practice you may purchase rubber ammo from chief Grim Star if you need to.”

We got past the checkpoint and Shadous broke the silence, “Alright first stop the clinic for Tempest’s wing, then I will take you to where I live and you can get some rest cause you look like you are about to fall asleep standing up Mineko.”

I yawned, “I’ll be fine I’m sure.” We went to the clinic I took a glance around the building as we moved but it was hard to keep my eyes focused, what I could make out is the tower seemed very high class a little city in a fortress. Once we reached the clinic a unicorn was waiting for us. I could only assume it was this Life Bloom that Shadous was talking about at the gate but because of the lack of sleep I’ve had the past week my mind seemed dull. During the course of the week though I have been using the PTMs to help me during watches but I could tell that I was starting to get addicted to them. At the time it was necessary to keep my friends alive. I was unaware of how much harder it was going to become the next couple of weeks trying to break the addiction.

“Ah Shadous,” Life Bloom greeted, “so who is this pegasus that you needed to wake me up for. I have to say it is very odd to find one in the first place, but I know you and it seems you always are the exception not the rule.” He laughed.

“Great to see you old friend,” Shadous replied, he motioned Tempest forward, “This is Tempest her wing got hit by some acid breath from a dragon. We did what we could to….”

I just couldn’t concentrate on the conversation anymore; I fell to a sitting position. “Mineko ya alright,” Butter Cup asked.

“Huh, oh Butter Cup I’m fine just a little tire…” then I collapsed. Then I saw Butter Cup was shaking me and I saw Life Bloom and Shadous running towards me.

Life Bloom felt my forehead, “She is burning up,” he replied to Shadous.

After a second I saw his horn glowed as he said to me, “I need you to concentrate some magic into your horn quickly, or you will die, please.”

I barely heard what he said but I did what he asked and the last thing I saw was a memory orb hovered in front of me.


ooOOOoo


As I collected my bearings I saw that my host was looking in a mirror and staring back was Raven. My host started speaking in the mirror, “Ok well I guess this is it. We are almost ready for our final battle with Mars, but I can’t shake this feeling that something horrible will happen so I’m making this Memory orb just in case one of us dies.”

“Oh god,” I thought, “this was my last night with Raven.”

“So if you are seeing this Mineko then I have probably died, so I have some things that I need to tell you about. First remember that book you gave me when I got my cutie mark, well in there I found a spell that I used to put a part of my soul into my pipbuck as well as yours,” as she held up a very stylized pipbuck that had my cutie mark engraved on it. “This will be my birthday gift to you once the battle is over since your birthday is tomorrow. Also I want to let you know that I buried the book back in the ruins of trading post 22, near my favorite mural you know the one.”

“Raven I’m back,” I heard my voice in the background coming towards her, “Who are you talking to in there,” I said playfully.

“No one,” my host replied, “Just talking to myself, you know how I can get.”

“Well I found dinner so when you are ready come and get it, you've been in this dusty library all day come and get something to eat we got a major battle tomorrow,” I teased.

“Ok Mineko, be right there,” she replied, “give me a few minutes ok.” She turned back to the mirror and I finally noticed my host was in a bathroom of some sort and on the counter was three orbs and a box stashed to the side of it. “Ok one more thing well two if you count what I have planned after this. First while you were out I was going through some of the old records and found out that Mars was a child of Luna, I mean related by blood, but then she went crazy and was then sentenced to prison in Tarturus for war crimes, and that is the extent of the records. This seemed to happen just before Luna became Nightmare Moon. After that Celestia made a ruling that alicorns could not have kids. Second just in case I am dead or you are, what happens next I want it to be the best memory for you or me, forever.” She looked up at the mirror and gave a very sultry smile to herself, turned towards the entrance, and started to walk out and I felt she had a weird gaunt as she was walking. From her eyes I saw myself look up from where I was sitting, my eyes went wide as my host continued to walk towards me as I saw myself gulp.

“Um Raven is something wrong you just seem different,” I replied.

“Nothing is wrong,” she replied, as she slowly adjusted herself to my side as I felt my host’s tail flick the back side of me. “I just want to skip dinner and go right to dessert at least for now, please Mineko,” she whispered and rubbed her body against mine. I saw myself dropped the canteen I was drinking after that comment but before all the contents spilled my host grabbed it in a magic field and took the cap and closed it off. 

In my mind I was “oh my god is this the time I’m thinking it was, but seeing from her eyes.” Then I saw my host take her tongue and gently stroked the horn of the mare in front of her as I felt the ridges slide through my host’s tongue. I saw myself shiver in delight and just fall to the floor lying in a brief feeling of ecstasy.

My host slowly but gently crawled on top of me and kissed me deeply and very passionately, and then used her tongue and licked my horn again as I saw myself shiver again. “Mineko I love you,” she said and started to kiss me working her way down on me as I smelled the scent of my own arousal. 


***   ***   ***


My host rose after all was done with a feeling of satisfaction as I heard myself asked, “Where are you going Raven?”

“Shhhh, Mineko I will be right back I just need to go to the bathroom,” my host replied, “then when I get back we should eat the dinner you brought we have a long day ahead of us, no reason to waste it,” as I felt her smile. She then walked towards the bathroom as I saw reflection her in the mirror with a very disheveled mane, but she seemed to have a glow in the mirror, oh how I miss her terribly. She then used her magic as the crystal orbs are levitated of the counter circulating around her head. “Mineko, no matter happens or has happened just know this one truth I will always love you no matter what, BFFs forever right,” As I saw her reflected face with a beautiful smile. Then one at a time she sent a beam into each orb and once she reached the third and final orb all went dark.


ooOOOoo


The real world came tumbling back as I felt dizzy, I tried to open my eyes but it was hard. I also felt so warm between my legs and ummm wet. I knew I was going to have to do something about that later but right now I needed to figure out where I was. I was so confused I’ve never felt this way after leaving an orb. My eyes finally adjusted as I saw I was staring at a dark ceiling, finally my mind started processing that I was in the clinic at Tenpony Tower. I turned my head, and I saw a unicorn in a lab coat walking towards me, that kind of helped me figure it out. “What in Celestia’s name happen to me and why am I in a bed?” I asked.

“Easy now,” The unicorn replied, “you collapsed as soon as you came into the clinic, and you were burning up so I grabbed one of the memory orbs you were carrying to put you into stasis before you died. I have no idea what was in the orb but I can tell it was good.” As he looked up and down my body probably noticing the wet spot as I felt my cheeks burn after thinking about that.

“Ok so that still doesn’t answer my question,” I replied embarrassingly, “what caused me to collapse.”

He went to his desk and grabbed some instruments and started to go through a checkup with me. “You got hit by poisoned taint, you are lucky you survived a week, plus on top of that you almost suffered an overdose of PTMs. If you didn’t use those you probably would have been dead three days ago.”

“Wait, what are you talking about, how long was I out and what about my friends are they ok, and who are you?” I asked.

“Well, let me answer your last question first,” he replied, “I am Life Bloom.”

“Oh yeah, Shadous’ friend, the one that would help Tempest’s wing,” I replied.

“Yes, and her wing will be fine,” he continued, “They left to go to Shadous’ apartment, it took a while for the young filly finally to go she wanted to stay with you till you woke up, but Tempest managed to get her to go. I’m surprised though I thought you would have died but you are a hell of a fighter, and on top of that you were only out for 4 hours I figured you wouldn’t wake till morning. How are you feeling?”

“Like both Celestia and Luna trampled me for about a month, disoriented and …” I replied, I thought to add aroused but I figure to keep my mouth shut on that as I felt my cheeks grow hot again, “never mind that what the hell is poisoned taint?”

He finished his checkup and I saw his horn glowed as he brought a jar that looked like it was made of lead and he opened it while I moved to lay on my side and he hovered open jar in front of me and I look in and saw some sickly looking rainbow colored liquid as he quickly closed it and then put it in the refrigerator he got it from. “That is what taint is, it is a magically enhance liquid that was made during the war worsened by radiation and it was transferred to you through the bite on your hind quarter. Unfortunately it started altering your internal organs mutating them, we manage to stop it before any permanent damage to you, but we are not sure what it has already done to you before you went critical. You will need to be more careful now that you got hit by the taint you become easier to get infected with more and it could kill you. Good news is you are still alive though the bad news is I’m not sure how long because some parts of the organs were mutated before we could remove the taint. They could just stop working all together and you will just collapse and die.”

“Great so you are saying that someday I will just collapse and die and you have no idea when this could happen,” I deadpanned, “thanks for nothing doc.”

“Well think of the taint as a cancer right now it is not malignant as long as it stays like this you will be fine and have a normal life expectancy, but if you get hit by more or if you get radiated it could excite the taint and it will continue to mutate your organs and then you die,” he replied. “If you could of gotten to me sooner we could probably remove it before it did this much damage to you, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. For now I will give Shadous a call and then I’m going home I will see you in the morning, try to get some sleep.”

“Wait doc is there anything I can do to keep the taint from killing me?”

“I told you, avoid any more taint and radiation pockets and you will be fine. Also I would recommend you come see me every month to three months so we can make sure it isn’t going active again.” He continued, “Since you are with Shadous you would be able to come and go as you please as long as he lets the authorities here know. For now though get some sleep you look like you could use it.” He walked away from me and he turned off the lights as I heard a door close.

Unfortunately the warm feeling between my legs kept nagging me and I could not go to sleep right away, so I slowly started moving my hooves toward the area as I reached my goal I was filled with ecstasy while I relieved the tension.


*  *  *


The morning or at least I thought it was, I heard a door open but it was hard trying to wake up as all the sudden I felt something small and heavy leap on me and wrapped her hooves tightly around me. I had trouble breathing.

“Mineko, than’ goodness ya still alive I wuz so worried about ya,” she said excitedly.

“Butter Cup….need ..to…breath.” I replied starting to turn blue.

“Oh,” she replied as she let go, “sorry.” She sniffed a little, “Umm, Mineko, ya smell funny like ya did when ya came to tha room when ya were done visitin’ that one mare, Cynthia, back in Bomber Town.”

I saw Shadous facehoofed and Tempest just seemed to let out a giggle and I felt my cheeks grow very hot, “I was very sick,” I laugh awkwardly, “last night and it caused me to sweat pretty bad so that is why I smell funny.” I thought to myself “Yeap that is the reason,” I heard the orange pony’s voice, ‘Sugarcube ya really are a bad liar ya know that.’ And Raven was giggling and then said, ‘I never knew our last night together was so hot makes me wish I still had a body.’ I facehoofed.

“What was that about?” Butter Cup asked.

“Oh,” I replied, “nothing to worry about I was just thinking I swear,” another awkward laugh came from me. I then saw Life Bloom and another stallion came walking to me in the bed.

“Well my name is Dr. Helpinghoof,“ the other stallion introduced himself, “my assistant said you were admitted last night late. So how are you feeling now?” With a flourish he grabbed the record from the end of the bed with his hooves and flipped through it, he motioned for Life Bloom to come near him as they walked off whispering to each other going over the record.

Tempest walked up to me, and smacked me very hard in the shoulder, “What in Celestia were you thinking, Mineko you could have died. Why didn’t you let us know what was happening?”

“Ow, look I didn’t know myself it hit me after I stop taking the PTMs yesterday. I didn’t realize they kept me from noticing that I was screwed up.”

“Mineko, don’t you realize how addicting PTMs are;” she replied, “and you have been taking them nonstop for five days.”

“Four,” I interjected.

“It doesn’t matter are you sure you will be fine.”

“Yes I can stop taking them when I want to I swear but right now I feel very dim witted.” I replied, “I do know this is part of withdraw though I just need to fight through it.”

“May I interject,” Helpinghoof interrupted, “Going cold turkey while being on them so long could cause more physical symptoms especially when taint comes into play. If you go cold turkey it could excite the taint inside you especial as your system readjusts with the lack of those chemicals, which in turn would start the mutation process again and you could die.”

“So are you saying I’m going to have to continue using the PTMs or I could die?” I asked, “I don’t want those I only used them for emergencies, well sort of.”

“No, I’m not saying that. If you let me treat your addiction right now I can have you off them without having the long excruciating withdraw symptoms, with no chance to excite the taint,” Helpinghoof replied.

“How long would it take to do that doc?” I asked.

“Well the treatments should take no longer than until lunch at the most, but after I do this you can never use PTMs again or you risk becoming addicted,” He explained.

“Fine do it doc,” I replied, “by the way how much is the bill for all this?” As I said this Shadous turned and left the clinic.

This time Life Bloom jumped in, “The bill was already taken care of. So don’t worry about it.”

“Can ah at least stay with her I could help ya out ah use to help my grandpa with his patients,” Butter Cup asked as she turned to Helpinghoof and gave her best puppy dog eyes, “Please, ah jus don’t want ta leave my sis again.”

Helpinghoof just gasps, “How could I refuse such an adorable face, sure you can be my little nurse for a few hours.”

“Yay!”

“Hey Tempest,” I asked, “Could you go find Shadous and also get rid of my PTM tins while I’m stuck here, oh and also scout around the tower I need to get to DJ Pon3 and find the most reputable shops so we can sell our salvage and pick up more supplies.”

“Ok,” Tempest replied, “I’ll be back by lunchtime so we can go eat together.”

I watched Tempest leave the clinic as now I saw Helpinghoof wheeling some equipment towards me and started plug multiple IVs into me with the help of Butter Cup. “Now,” He said as he inspected his work, “I will now explain what the machine is doing, and the dangers of drug addiction.” He then started his lecture.

I thought to myself, “Oh god this will be a long 4 hours or so.”


*  *  *


After what felt like an eternity I saw Tempest walk back into the clinic as the doctor was removing all the equipment, “Oh thank the goddesses, you finally came back Tempest. I don’t know how much longer I could take this.”

She laughed.

She got closer I noticed that she was wearing a very nice dress and her mane and tail were shimmering, I was speechless she look so beautiful, I shook my head and said to myself, “stop thinking about her you know that she is not that type of mare.” I finally spoke up, “Wow Tempest you look so hot,” I facehoofed.

She laughed again, “Thanks Mineko I appreciate the comment, but after scouting the tower all the ponies in here are very high class so I have to look the part. So we need to get you cleaned up and I picked out a dress for you as well and we will meet Shadous for lunch at a restaurant not far from his residence in the tower.”

“Oh cool,” as I slowly got out of bed with the help of Butter Cup, “what is the name of it?”

“He didn’t say, all he said I would be able to find it by the sign that has a picture of a top hat over a black blob with a cane to its side.”

“Well that seems a little unique so what is first?” I asked.

“Follow me,” Tempest replied, “first we need to head to his apartment and get you cleaned up. Then we eat and I took the liberty of making an appointment for all three of us at the spa here for this afternoon.”

“Ya mean ah get ta come too,” Butter Cup interrupted, “umm, what is a spa?”

Tempest giggled, “Well you will see it when we get there, but I can tell you it will be refreshing I’m sure of it.”

Once we reached the apartment I got cleaned up and put on the outfit that Tempest got me. The outfit was interesting it was a vest with a nice skirt that was short where it didn’t get in the way of my back legs and it covered about half of my cutie mark. I walked out to see a very disgruntled face of Butter Cup in a white blouse and a pleated green mini skirt.

“Uhg, these feel weird, why do ah have to wear this?” Butter Cup asked annoyed, I couldn’t but laugh at the face she had.

“I told you this is what all the fillies are wearing here so just stick it out until after the spa, please” Tempest begged.

I giggle, “I think you look so cute and adorable, Butter Cup.”

“That’s it ah am done ah am not goin’ like this, ah am not cute.” Butter Cup griped.

“I was only kidding; can you please do this for me just once?” I asked.

“Fine, but ah am not goin’ to like it,” she replied.

We then left the apartment and headed toward the restaurant. I couldn’t help but notice some commotion going on near some sort of Cheese Shop? I started to walk towards the area, and then Tempest stopped me.

“It’s not our business, Mineko,” She said, “please don’t get involved.”

“Fine,” I said, “so what did you find out and also how long are you grounded for?”

“Ok well DJ Pon3 lives in the penthouse on the top floor, he also broadcasts from there, but really never comes out, but he has an assistant that runs errands for him. For your second question I will be grounded for a week so we will stay with Shadous for a week here, he already said he was cool with it, hell he offered after he heard about it from Life Bloom.”

“Ok,” I replied, “I have a week to figure out how to get an audience with DJ Pon3, thanks Tempest.” We continued to the restaurant once we got there I look at the name of it. It was named the High Shadow Café.


*  *  *


Once the lunch was done Butter Cup, Tempest, and I went to our spa appointment. We walk into the spa reception area and it was very well furnished. Two earth ponies greeted us.

“Ah you must be Ms. Tempest and party, yes?” They asked.

“Yes we are,” she replied, “ready for the works.”

“Wait, is this some fru fru stuff that ah have read about, ah want nothing of it,” Butter Cup complained.

“Come on Butter Cup,” I replied, “this will be fun trust me and we can spend more time together than we have been for the past week.”

“Uhg, fine but again ah am not likin this but ah will do it fer y’all.” 

“Oh you will not be disappointed my little filly,” one of the spa ponies replied, “come let us get you all out of the clothes and get you prepared for the most relaxing time of your lives.”

“Whoo whee, now that is wut ah am talkin about, I can git out of these darn things,” Butter Cup Exclaimed.

We all giggled and headed into the dressing rooms and started our first spa date together. Which at that time I was hoping we would be able to have many more in the future, but of course that was going to be long ways off.

(Footnote: Level Up Quest perk: Trait of the earth pony: Because the taint mutating you slightly you now have +2 hp regen per round, but you are now more susceptible to radiation sickness and taint. Granted perk: Stonewall, You have a +5 to damage threshold against melee weapons and cannot be knocked down.)

> Fallout Equestria: Mineko's Virtue Ch 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ch. 8



Audition and the Future



(Can’t change the past, always live in the present, but plan for the future)


After the spa date, all three of us headed back to Shadous’ apartment as we walked back I broke the silence and said, “Wow, I think the best part of that spa date was when they took care of my mane. Hurt like a buck but it feels better now. I don’t get it though, Tempest your mane was perfectly fine and I haven’t seen you brush, what is your secret.” I lifted one of my hooves and quickly felt the new French braid the spa did for my mane.

“Well it just seems to happen naturally,” Tempest replied. “We pegasi are designed to fly, so the way our fur, tail, and mane are designed is to help us with that. Our hair has shimmer to it because we have to fly through the air but the air also has water in it, not a lot mind you, and the chemicals we produce makes it harder for the water to build up and collect in our fur. This in turn helps us remain light enough to continue to stay in the air.”

“So wut ya tellin me is that ya pegasi don’t get wet?” Butter Cup asked.

“No not exactly Butter Cup,” Tempest continues, “we can only protect ourselves from light amounts of water so let’s say there is a mist I fly through, well my fur will not retain that little amount of water so when I come out you will see the droplets on my fur but once you wipe them off the fur will be dry underneath. If I did the same in a downpour of rain I would be soaked because my chemicals can’t protect me from that much water. That is why, before the war, the pegasi had special flight suits for times that we might have to fly through very inclement weather for long period s of time.”

“Ah see so ya have like a wax that protects ya from getting too wet?” Butter Cup asked.

“Well maybe not a wax.” Tempest replied, “But the same concept though my body produces an oil that does that.”

“Interesting, I have always wondered about the physiology of a pegasus but never was concerned about it; because I figure I wouldn’t meet one in my lifetime.” I laughed, “Thank for enlightening me Tempest.” 

We finally reached the apartment as Tempest broke the silence, “Well we have some time before we need to meet Shadous’ for dinner so I figured we could relax a bit and try to figure out what to do next after my wing is healed.”

“Ok,” as I rested on a cushion I found, “First I need to talk to DJ Pon3, maybe he might have some intel on where Mars might be.”

“Sounds good but are you sure you need to chase her down?” Tempest asked.

“Tempest, what are you saying,” I started to breath faster, “Don’t you know she murdered thousands maybe even tens of thousands of ponies. You think she should be free where’s the justice in that.”

“Calm down Mineko,” Tempest replied, “Getting emotional will not help, hear me out.”

I seethed, “Fine, I will hear you out but after you are done I want you to hear me out.” I tried to calm myself but it was hard. What she was saying seemed like I should give up, but I couldn’t and I wouldn’t, justice must be served. Then Raven’s voice came into my head, ‘are you sure it is justice or is it vengeance, you need to figure that out first before you face her again.’

“Well then, think of this we are in a town a very well-defended town very much like Bomber Town. We could get a residency here I could move my store here or even open another branch of my store here. Butter cup would be safe and wouldn’t have to fear the possibility of losing you, her only family.”

I looked towards Butter Cup who was asleep on the couch. I guess she didn’t sleep well last night with me being in the hospital and her not able to stay with me.

Tempest continued, “You go out there you risk just collapsing and dying just because of what happened to you. Not to mention all the other dangers out there. We stay here we would be safe; you could raise Butter Cup and give her the childhood she needs. What do you say this would be a great deal for all of us?”

“So what you are saying is,” I replied, “I should give up my quest.” I gritted my teeth.

“Yes,” she replied, “why shouldn’t you? You have no leads and you are sick with taint, which will kill you under the right conditions. You also have a daughter you have to think about as well. What about her future? Do you really want her out there worried that maybe her last day would be a minute away? All I’m saying is this is a chance of a lifetime and we could stay here and not worry for the rest of our days.”

I rose up and went towards a window, my anger was raging. “How could she say that?!” I thought. “I, I can’t forgive her for what she did. Justice must be served,” I replied

“It is not your job, you are not a marshal. You have to take care of Butter Cup, “Tempest said as she walked towards me.

“Who will if I don’t,” I turned towards Tempest, my voice slowly raised in volume. “She burned my town, killed the guards and their families including the fillies, the colts, and all the elderly and discarded the bodies into a building that was burning.” I continued to yell with tears in my eyes, “She deserves to be brought to justice you think she should get away with it. She killed ponies that didn’t even have a cutie mark; they didn’t even have a chance to find their talents or even live!” I was sobbing now I notice Butter Cup stirred and I try to control my voice, “She killed the pony I loved right in front of my eyes and was smiling as she did. So again I ask you Tempest, if I don’t do anything about it, who will?” I continued, “If you don’t want to go any further than this that’s fine. This was my quest to begin with I intend to complete it or die trying,” I turned back towards the window and started to try to get my sobbing to stop. It was hard I kept seeing the ghost in my mind of my town burning, the dead lifeless eyes of the foals staring at me, it was hard. ‘Hush now quiet now, everything will be ok,’ the canary pegasus in my head started comforting me the best she could. She had a very beautiful voice, and the first part was almost like song. With her help my tears slowly stopped.

“Ok,” Tempest said, she put her fore leg across my back, “I will be there with you and help you any way I can. So what is the plan?”

“I don’t know,” I replied, “I need to talk to DJ Pon3 first maybe he might have a clue on where Mars might be.” As I thought about that I decided to tune my pipbuck to his frequency.

“…and it’s time for another DJ Pon3 pony survival tip.  Today I want to talk to you about two of the biggest threats you might stumble across in the Equestrian Wasteland.  No, not radigators, bloodwings or even hellhounds.  No, children, today I want to talk to you about their mothers.  That’s right, pull up a chair, cuz it’s time for DJ Pon3 to talk to you about the dangers of radiation and taint…” 

I just learned about this today, at least the taint part, from Doctor Helpinghoof, and I shivered.

“…Magical radiation, as we all know, is a side effect of powerful and wicked magics released violently on Equestria.  Naturally, the biggest and worst zones of radiation are found in places like the Fillydelphia Crater, the Manehattan city center… pretty much everywhere the megaspells hit except for Cloudsdayle and Canterlot (both of which should be avoided for other reasons).  But even a recently exploded skywagon can be radioactive.  Fortunately, so long as you always carry your radiation detectors, kids, these places can be avoided. The more insidious threat of radiation is that it bleeds into food and water.  Always drink purified water whenever you can.  Make sure you carry several canteens whenever you travel, and fill them at every safe water supply.  Keep a healthy supply of RadAway…”

“Well,” Tempest interrupted my thoughts while I was listening to the DJ, “We should get ready for dinner Shadous is going to meet us and we don’t want to be late.”

“Alright,” I said, “I will wake up Butter Cup.” I walked towards the sofa that Butter Cup was laying on while I continued to listen to the broadcast.

	“…Taint, on the other hoof, is a zebra of very different stripes.  Nopony knows exactly what the taint is or where it comes from, but we know its mutative effects on monsters and the fatally malignant repercussions on ponies.  Remember, folks: taint don’t care what you’re wearing.  No protective suit keeps it out.  And there’s no cure.  Only way to safely tell if a place is tainted is by reputation.  Discover one by any other means, it’s probably too late …”

“Butter Cup,” I gently shook her while the broadcast continued. She slowly stirred.

	“And in the news, one of the smaller settlements in the Manehattan Ruins, Gutterville, has gone silent.  If anypony is traveling through that way, please pop a head in and see what’s going on.  Then let your ol’ pal DJ Pon3 know.” 

“Huh, wut,” Butter cup replied with a yawn.

“It’s time to get ready for dinner,” I replied while the radio continued with the news.
“Now, I know what all of you are actually wondering: what about that Equestrian heroine from Stable Two?  What’s she up to?”

“Oh, OK,” She yawned again, and slowly started to get off the couch.

	“Well, I’ve got incredible news: the Stable Dweller loves you!  That’s right, all of you!  And you know how I know?” 

“Wait,” Butter Cup replied, “Am ah goin’ ta afta wear them clothes agin’.” She gave a sour face.

	“…because she sent a little toaster repairpony to me with a special delivery.  Starting tomorrow, there will be some new songs added to our broadcast.  So keep yourselves tuned in, faithful listeners, because you don’t want to be the last pony around to have heard the discs I’ll be spinnin’ for you tomorrow!   And now, once again, it’s Sapphire Shores singing that the sun can’t hide forever.”

“Yes,” I replied, “Please for me?”

“Ugh,” she replied, “Fine but ah hate all this fru fru stuff I don’t wanna afta do it all the time.”

“You won’t have to do it again,” I replied. “Just for the first day here, ok”

“Ok, ya promise,” she asked.

“I promise.”


*  *  *


We finally met Shadous for dinner and it seemed like a decent restaurant though I really can’t remember, all I remember was it had something to do with shadow like the first one we ate at. When we entered it was almost designed like the Wood Inn back in Bomber Town though the ponies here were more hoity toity than the adventurer like mix at Bomber Town. The bar itself was on the back wall with a very strong earth stallion as the bar tender, behind displayed on the wall was a nice combat shotgun and a large battle ax. We sat down at a table Shadous had reserved, “Hi there, sorry we are a little late,” I said. 

“It’s not a problem,” he replied, “Looking at the way you are all dressed tells me that you are blending in. I was worried this might be a little of a culture shock.”

“It was quite easy. I mean after all we are not barbarians Shadous,” Tempest laughed.

“Seriously I was born in a well-established trading settlement, how can you think I may not know anything about society,” I growled.

“Mineko,” Tempest replied, “He was joking.”

“Easy there,” he replied, “I’ve seen many ponies that were changed because of the Wasteland. A lot of them wouldn’t stand one day in here without going crazy.”

“Ah guess but ah really hate wearin these clothes, do ah afta wear these all tha time?” Butter Cup asked.

“Why are you wearing them then,” he replied, “Most fillies and colts don’t wear any except to school here.”

“What!” She exclaimed, “Ya mean ah didn’t have to wear these, but Tempest said that all the fillies were wearing this.”

“Yeah, only when going to school,” he replied, “you have on a school uniform.”

“Huh,” Tempest replied, “I was wondering why the filly clothes were all the same.” She started giggling.

“What! Ya mean ya had no idea that this wuz a uniform, how could it not be obvious,” Butter Cup continue while I saw Tempest trying to hold back a smile. “Ah mean come on…” she then looked at Tempest, “wait, ya knew didn’t ya?”

“May…be,” Tempest replied and then busted out laughing.

“THAT’S it!!” She replied, “Ah am takin them off right now.” She started to shuffle to pull the outfit off.

“But you are so adorable in them,” Tempest retorted.

A charcoal colored earth pony with a black and midnight blue mane, and tail walked up to our table, and said, “Shadous sooo good to see you again, so I guess the death trap known as the wasteland still hasn’t taken you yet. How disappointing… it would be horrible not to see your smiling face if it should happen.” She laughed and looked at Butter Cup beginning to wiggle out of the clothing. “My dear filly the little filly’s room is that way,” She pointed to her left, “Unless you really want to put on a show for my patrons, I know they would enjoy it.” I could see Butter Cup get so flustered then she raced off to the bathroom. “sooo, Shadous, who are the beautiful mares you are with this day?” I finally got a better look at her she, she was gorgeous. She had the deepest blue eyes I have ever seen and the dress she wore reflected them in color, and don’t get me started on her plot she was defiantly not a flabby mare. She had a very athletic body and she was so well toned I couldn’t imagine what she could do. On top of that she said I was beautiful I defiantly wanted to get to know her better now.

“Well,” He replied, “Tasha, the pegasus to my right is Tempest, the mare across from me is Mineko, and the young filly that ran off is Butter Cup. Mineko, Tempest.” He continued pointing the dark mare, “This is Tasha Shadow, the owner of the Shadow Inn and Tavern, Shadow nightclub, and the High Shadow Café.”

“It’s a pleasure Miss Shadow,” Tempest replied.

I quickly shook my head and finally replied, “Ummm hi there.” Then I thought “Oh that was smooth Mineko.” Meanwhile Raven and the white Unicorn laughed in my head.

Tasha looked at me, “My, what a direct little pony you are,” she smirked, “I kind of like the little ruggedness you have there.” She then move closer and her voice went a little breathless, “perhaps you and I should get to know each other better.”

I felt my face burning so hot that I fell like it was in an oven, and I was speechless. I started to try to talk but I felt my words just tumble and get all jumbled up, then finally Shadous said, “Tasha stop that! Though it is hilarious we all know you are not like that so stop teasing her.”

“Oh come now Shadous,” Tasha replied, “just because I don’t usually find the fairer sex attractive doesn’t mean I’m not open minded about the possibilities there.” I felt my face go even hotter after that comment, I didn’t even think it possible could. This Tasha was even worse than Cynthia when it came to hitting my buttons. I swear at that time I just thought every pony was out to make me feel uncomfortable. Though I didn’t mind the possibility of me and her but still so embarrassing.

“Tasha,” Shadous emphasized, “Stop teasing her…now.”

“Oh fine,” she gave him a pouty face, “you always have to ruin my fun, don’t you.” She turned to me with a grin, “I’m sorry but you just looked so funny when I was hitting on you, I couldn’t resist.”

I went from being awkward to being angry in less than a millisecond. I wanted to scream at her but then Raven and the canary one helped me calm down. I finally found my voice and asked, “How did you know I found mares more attractive than stallions?” I then thought “honestly am I that transparent.”

“Elementary my dear Mineko, you are here with the most handsome and as well as the most eligible stallion, and yet you pay no mind to him,” she replied. “Even your pegasus friend pays more attention to him then you. Also I notice how you were looking at me and well I am the most eligible mare in this town as well so I knew what your looks meant, because I get them all the time from stallions.”

“I see,” I deadpanned.

“Also,” she continued, “I have a very good understanding of body language as well and I am very observant, so I was able to read you like an open book.” She laughed.

“Enough, Tasha,” Shadous replied, “I think you have had your fun, for now. Why don’t you bother some of your other patrons?”

“Aww, Shadous you are horrible, sending me away like that.” She pouted, “I thought we had something, and you had to go destroy such a poor innocent lady’s heart like this.” She looks at his face, coughs, her tone changed, “fine I’m leaving but please enjoy your meal and just know that I am flattered that you chose my establishment for your dinner.” She goes walking off proudly. Butter Cup returns and we finish our dinner, then we go back to Shadous’ apartment to get some sleep, I figured I would visit the DJ tomorrow morning.


*  *  *


As morning came I slowly woke up from my slumber, Butter Cup was sleeping next to me on the couch and Tempest was on a mat at the foot of the couch. I carefully rose so I didn’t wake Butter Cup up and slowly tried to step over Tempest. As soon as I place one of my hooves down by her face she quickly attempted to trip me with her forelegs. I almost fell but I quickly spun to land on all four of my hooves, “What the hay, Tempest,” I exclaimed quietly, luckily I didn’t make any loud noises after that maneuver.

Tempest was on all her hooves with her wings spread fully, facing towards me. “Oh sorry,” she whispered, “it is just a force of habit that I have. Why are you up so early?” She slowly let her wings relax.

“Ummm, I couldn’t sleep any more so I figured I would try to go see the DJ now,” I replied.

“This early Mineko?” she replied, “The stores aren’t even open yet.”

I walked towards the bathroom to get cleaned up, “I figure I would try to catch him before he got on the air.” I started to get cleaned up after I closed the door. After a few Minutes I came out and Tempest was sitting at the table with a couple of cups and what looked like a pot of coffee. She poured some in both cups and offered me one. “Thanks,” I replied.

“I think I will be taking your armor in for repairs if possible, if not I will try to find some that will fit you,” she replied.

“Cool,” I took a sip of my coffee, “after I finish I will head up to see the DJ, hopefully I will be able to.” I finished my coffee and headed out of the apartment. I quickly walked to the elevator to head up to the pent house, luckily the elevator was on its way back so I pressed the button and waited. The elevator opened up and there I saw a Steel Ranger, a rusty colored pegasus, and a charcoal unicorn that for an instant I thought was Raven. “Raven?” I asked out loud, then I caught a glimpse of her cutie mark and her multi-colored mane and tail. I quickly covered my mouth with my hooves and scattered to hide. I saw her quickly looked at me and then continued walking on shaking her head. Once she was out of sight, I grabbed the elevator before it closed. Once it opened at the penthouse I stepped out and saw a wide open hall with a lot of books and a very nice fountain that had a sculpture of Celestia in the middle of it. I stared in awe at the extravagance and walked towards it. To my right I saw two ponies talking then after a moment the smaller one started heading this way she was a light grey almost similar to my coat but had dirty yellow mane and tail, she was wearing some sort of workers cover hauls and had a pipbuck as a cutie mark, she looked at me.

“Homage were you expecting any pony today?” She asked, “Especially this early in the morning.” I did not like the look that she was giving me, I was in my fight or flight mode right now and I was leaning towards the flight since I didn’t have any of my weapons.

“No, DJ Pon3 was not expecting anypony today,” the taller one walked toward me, “Little Pip you should go ahead and get some sleep, besides it looks like she is shaking with fear.”

“Well you want me to escort her out of here,” Little Pip asked.

“No, I will take care of it you just go on and get some sleep I will see you later today,” She winks at her. With that Little Pip continues to the elevator and heads out of the penthouse. Homage looks at me, “now as for you, how did you get up here, normally the elevator needs permission from me to come to this floor.”

“Ummm I got in after the other three got off the elevator, I just thought it was normal for that to happen.” I tried to give her one of my more innocent smiles.

“Hmm,” she thought, “you seem familiar have we met before?”

I had to think of something fast, the white pony in my head told me ‘darling just be suave, dignified, and sure of yourself and you will be fine.’ I spoke up “Umm, yes I have been living here for quite some and I was hoping to get an audience with DJ Pon3.” The white one goes ‘that’s it darling you are doing great, keep it up’ I smiled to myself slightly.

“Really,” she replied, “and why are you seeking an audience with DJ Pon3?”

‘Just tell the truth sugarcube’ the orange one said in my head. “Well,” I replied, “I was hoping to audition with him,” the orange pony face hoofed. “I’m a singer,” I continued as Homage’s face lit up slightly, “and I was hoping that he would be willing to hear a few songs that I have so he can add something new to the radio.”

“If you were here for a while why haven’t you tried before now?” she asked.

“Because I’ve been a little nervous, I mean after all there have not been any good singers for quite some time, well since before the bombs dropped,” I tried to give her the best courteous smile I could, and I thought “I am so dead right now.” All the ponies in my head face hoofed except for the canary one she just did her best to hide behind her pink mane.

“Hmmm,” Homage contemplated, “ok I will bite, let me talk with DJpon3 and I will see if he is willing to listen to you. Why don’t you come back in two days and we will see what happens.” She courteously escorted me to the elevator, “make sure you are ready to sing then. Oh and his time is important so make sure you have enough to make the time worthwhile, at least three minimum.”

“Oh, of course, not a problem,” I said as the door to the elevator closed. I fell back on my haunches and whined, “Oh by the goddesses what have I got myself into. Luna or Celestia just strike me down now and put me out of my misery.” The elevator stopped at the first floor and I stepped out and then ran all the way back to the apartment. I needed to come up with at least three songs fast in two days and I had no idea who could even write music. I thought “Oh I am so bucked right now.” 


*  *  *


I finally made it back to the apartment. I ran in and slammed the door huffing, Butter Cup look up and Shadous walked out of his room, “I really hate it when some pony slams my door.” He looked at me, “Ok, why are you huffing and shaking like that?”

“Oh I am so bucked,” I replied, “I have two days to come up with three songs. I can write the song but I don’t know a thing about how to write music, I’m soo screwed!” I started to hyperventilate. 

“So how did ya git yerself in a predicament like that?” Butter Cup added.

“I should have said the truth but I just couldn’t,” I replied, “I was such a foal.”

Shadous responded, “Well you could go back and fix it and tell the truth. I heard the DJ here is quite reasonable.”

I stepped away from the door, “I wish it was that easy when I said I was a singer,” I sighed, “Homage, his receptionist, her face lit up with so much hope I couldn’t back out of it, if I do I would feel like an ass.”

“Are ya sure that is a good idea, ah mean ya really not a singer, are ya?” Butter Cup asked.

I replied, “Before I got my Cutie Mark I wanted to be a singer so I would sing all the time. I was quite good at it to but then I got this.” I turned to Butter Cup and showed her my cutie mark.

“All it is, is a big blue diamond with a dark blue core. It could just mean ya talent isn’t skin deep, kind of like a diamond in the rough.” She replied.

I laughed, “That is sweet of you Butter Cup.” I walked to her and nuzzled her for a brief moment, “but I did research, this is a blade caster’s mark from a unique house that would use diamond fragments for their magic blades.”

“But ya don’t know fer sure right, Mineko. Ah mean ya have no Idea if a pony of the house ya said ever had this mark. An on top of that what if he or she did other things besides blade casting. Maybe one would be she had a talent fer singing.” Butter Cup replied.

I gave her a sad smile, “You know you may have a point there but unless I could meet her or him for sure I will never know. Unfortunately he/she was alive thousands of years ago.”

“I’ll tell you what,” Shadous interrupted, “You write the songs and I will read them and with your help I will write the music for them.”

“Huh, you can write music,” I stared at him with shock and awe.

“Yes I am a ma…” He coughs, “..a pony of many talents.”

“Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, yes, yes.” I bounced up and down all around him repeating the same word, then Tempest walk in and I got very embarrassed.

“Well it seems I missed a lot,” she inquired, “can some pony let me in on the secret.”

I stopped, coughed, “yes.” I then explained what had happened to Tempest.


*  *  *


The next couple of days I wrote songs and with Shadous’ helped, I had my debut songs. I went back to the elevator with the tape Shadous help make for the music and I had all my lyrics on a three pieces of paper. I pressed the button on the elevator and waited it to come down and open. Once I reached the top floor I was greeted by Homage.

“So are you ready?” She asked.

I nervously nodded.

“No you’re not,” she replied, “you are a nervous mess. With your current state you won’t sing well.” She was deep in thought for a second, “I’ll tell you what we have some time, why don’t you sit on the patio and relax, I will bring you a drink to calm your nerves, switch on your pipbuck and tune into DJ Pon3. I will be back in a few minutes.”

I did what Homage recommended and tuned into the station.

….music ends “Gooood morning wasteland it’s DJ Pon3 with the news. Remember when I mentioned the hero of Bomber Town, the Paladin of the Waste, it seems that he or she has disappeared, if any of you ponies out there see him or her give this friendly DJ a call. The last time I heard the party was in the Manehatten area. If you are hearing this Paladin just know we appreciate what you were doing and keep up the good work. I know it is hard trying to do what is right in the wasteland but don’t give up. Every pony you help one more that is not taken by the wasteland so keep doing what you are doing. Well this is DJ Pon3 signing for all you listeners out there I will be back after I get some more songs for you it seems that yet another singer has come seeking out this DJ and we will be having even more new songs coming, now here is the next set starting with some Velvet Remedy” 

I was listening to the station and then Homage comes back with some tea in her telekinetic field. She then said, “Here you go, this is some Mint tea to sooth your nerves. I just realized something though I never got your name.”

I smelled the tea, it smelled like Mint, as the aroma hit me I started to calm down a bit, I took a sip of the mint tea and said, “Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself, I am Mineko.”

“Well I am pleased to meet you, I am Homage, as soon as you finish your tea and you feel ready we can record your songs.” She replied.

I nodded and asked, “Do you think I will be able to talk to him after we are done recording I have a few questions to ask him?”

“I’m not sure,” she replied, “but why would you like to speak to him after?”

“Ummm,” I replied, “it is kind of a private matter concerning some information that only he might have since he has eyes and ears all over the wasteland.”

“Well,” She said thoughtfully, “I can’t promise but we will see.”

“Ok,” I thought silently for a second, “Well after the songs I also may have some information on the Paladin of the Waste.” I saw her ears perk up when I said that and I finished my last sip. “I think I’m ready that tea really helped.”

“No problem,” She replied then escorted me to a door that had M.A.S.E.B.S. over it, “This is where we are going to record your songs.” She took me to the center and floated head phones up to me and took them and set them on top of my head so I can put them on at a moment’s notice. “DJ Pon3 is in the booth right now.” I looked at the dark window and I floated the tape out of my saddle bag and she grabbed it in her field and walked out of the studio.

After a few minutes I heard on the speaker DJ Pon3’s voice, “Alright Mineko, go ahead and put on the head phones as soon as I start the music you start singing your songs.”

“Ok,” I replied. I put the headphones on and I saw the sign over the door turned and said recording in progress. I heard the music and I started to sing the first song.


I'm waiting for the night drifting away
On the waves of my dreams to another day
I'm standing on a hill and beyond the clouds
The winds blowing still and catching my doubts
I'm hunting on the night the slave to my dream an illustrated scene descends in the sleep
We're playing for the fights emotional games
I'm turning off my eyes and hiding my shame

A neverending dream a dream of you I believe I received a sign of you
tonight I want to hide my feelings too
as you do and I want to be with you

A neverending dream a dream of you I believe I received a sign of you
tonight I want to hide my feelings too
as you do and I want to be with you

[Speaking]
I'm waiting for the night drifting away on the waves of my dreams to another day
I'm standing on a hill and beyond the clouds the wind's blowing still and catching my doubts

I'm watching all the flowers dying away
inheated breath of life at the dawning day I'm waking up in spring and kissing your face the sweet imoving thing I feel your embrace

A neverending dream.......

A neverending dream a dream of you I believe I received a sign of you
tonight I want to hide my feelings too
as you do and I want to be with you
A neverending dream a dream of you I believe I received a sign of you
tonight I want to hide my feelings too
as you do and I want to be with you
A Neverending dream a dream of you
I believe I received a sign of you tonight I want to hide my feelings too as you do and I want to be with you

A neverending dream a dream of you I believe I received a sign of you
tonight I want to hide my feelings too
as you do and I want to be with you.


Then I moved on to my second one.


I still hear your voice, when you sleep next to me.
I still feel your touch in my dreams.
Forgive me my weakness, but I don't know why
Without you it's hard to survive.

'Cause everytime we touch, I get this feeling.
And everytime we kiss I swear I could fly.
Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.
Need you by my side.
'Cause everytime we touch, I feel the static.
And everytime we kiss, I reach for the sky.
Can't you hear my heart beat so...
I can't let you go.
Want you in my life...


Then finally my last one.


I see you comb your hair and gimme that grin.
It's making me spin now, spinnin' within.
Before I melt like snow, I say "Hello, how do you do (how do you do)?"

I love the way you undress now.
Baby, begin.
Do your caress, honey, my heart's in a mess.
I love your blue-eyed voice,
like Tiny Tim shines thru.
How do you do?

How do you do (do you do) the things that you do?
No one I know could ever keep up with you.
How do you do?
Did it ever make sense to you to say "Bye, bye, bye"?
How do you do (do you do) the things that you do?
No one I know could ever keep up with you.
How do you do?
Did it ever make sense to you to say "Bye, bye, bye"?

Well, here we are crackin' jokes in the corner of our mouths
and I feel like I'm laughing in a dream.
If I was young I could wait outside your school
'cause your face is like the cover of a magazine.

How do you do (do you do) the things that you do?
No one I know could ever keep up with you.
How do you do?
Did it ever make sense to you to say "Bye, bye, bye"?

How do you do?

I see you in that chair with the perfect skin.
Well, how have you been, baby, livin' in sin?
Hey, I gotta know, did you say "Hello, how do you do?

Well, here we are spending time in the louder part of town
and it feels like everything's surreal.
When I get old I will wait outside your house
'cause your hands have got the power meant to heal…



Once I completed my last song, I took the headphones and smiled it felt so good not to be fighting for my life for once. Then the DJ spoke over the speaker, “Well done Mineko I think these might become the next biggest thing to Velvet Remedy. I also heard from my assistant you might know where the Paladin of the Waste is?”

“I do,” I said in the mic. The orange pony in my head replied, ‘Tell the truth, the DJ deserves that much fer leading him on like ya did.’ I sighed, and replied to the DJ, “I am the Paladin of the Waste.” The silence drew on and I started becoming nervous after I admitted it. I continued, “I wanted to tell Homage sooner but when I said I could sing I saw the hope in her face and I couldn’t bring myself to tell why I really was here. I wanted to ask you if you knew where Mars is, I need to bring her to justice.”

“Well,” the DJ replied, “Thank you for admitting your secret to me I think it is time for us to talk face to face. I’ll meet you at the entrance of the studio, see you in a second.”

“Ok,” I replied as I left the studio and waited in the entrance parlor. As I waited I saw the equipment room open and out walks Homage. “Wait what huh,” as I stumbled through my words as my eyes were wide and my pupils were just pin pricks at least that is what it felt like.

“Well you told me your secret I might as well tell you mine, “Homage replied.

“But the DJ is a stallion you, you are a mare, I’m confused.” I replied.

She spoke again but now she sounded like DJ Pon3, “Well Mineko you have gift,” I saw her horn stop glowing. “Just like I do. The voice changing spell has been passed down through all the DJ Pon3s.”

“Wow, just wow,” I was speechless.

“Well,” Homage replied, “I don’t have much time I need to get back on the air. So let me answer your question real quick.” She walked me to a table and then pulled a scroll out from one of the book shelves. She unrolled the scroll and it was a map of old Equestria. “My last reports, which were about a month and half to two months ago, is that she had taken over the area here.” As she pointed at the map, “This used to be Gildedale before the war, other than the general location I can’t give you any more information, none of M.A.S.E.B.S. towers were built there. Though if you could find a ship to take you there that would be the easiest way to get there but there haven’t been any ships for a while here.”

“I see,” I replied, “Thanks again Homage.” I started to head out. I had a lot of planning to do.

“Hey wait,” she called out to me, “Here take this,” she handed the scroll to me, “also I know in about a month or so a ship will be coming here, so if you could hold tight till then. I’m sure they would be willing to negotiate with you for passage to Gildedale.”

“I can’t thank you enough Homage,” I replied. Then I headed out of the penthouse with a lot of things on my mind, but first Tempest’s wing needed to be healed before we could do any more and I had a promise I had to keep for Butter Cup. The filly will be exhausted after I fulfill my promise to train her how to protect herself. Yes it will be a long week or so for her.


(Footnote: Level up Granted perk: Quick Draw, +50% to equipping and holstering your weapons.)



> Fallout Equestria: Mineko's Virtue Ch 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ch. 9


Promises to Keep


(Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.)


After I left Homage’s penthouse I headed to the guard post, inside the tower to see if I could get access to the firing range and training facilities. Well as I was heading to the post I passed by the steel ranger that came in the same evening that we did, It’s kind of hard to miss them because of the power armor and he was the only that I was aware of that was at the tower. I noticed he was heading toward Homage’s pent house. Once I reached the post I talk with the desk clerk and asked, “Is Chief Grim Star in?” 

The clerk looked at me and said, “I’m sorry he is not in while checking on a lead to a possible infiltration. Can I be of assistance?”

“Well,” I replied, “I would like to get some rubber ammunition and access to the firing range and possibly a training facility?”

“Oh,” the clerk continued, “The firing range is booked till the middle of the week as for the training facility only authorized guard ponies are able to use it. I can direct you to Deputy Chief Long Arm to procure some rubber bullets but there will be a fee for them.”

“Ok sounds reasonable, where do I find him? Also do I book the firing range here or do I need to go somewhere else?” I asked.

“No, I can book the firing range.” She started working on a computer, “Let’s see I have an opening on Wednesday all day and Thursday from eight in the morning to noon.”

“Can I get both days please?” I asked.

“Not a problem as long as you are a resident of the tower.” She replied.

“Yes, I’m actually booking it for Mister Noctu. He is busy at the moment and I’m working as his personal assistant since he is gone quite often, doing whatever he is doing.” I replied as in my mind the white pony said, ‘that’s it darling, elegant, dignified, and most important confidence.’ 

“I see well let me check here,” after a brief pause the clerk continued, “It seems it all checks out I have the days book for you, let Mister Noctu know we appreciate everything he has done for us.”

“Thank you and I will relay your message, and about the rubber bullets?” I replied.

“Yes,” she replied, “Deputy Chief Long Arm’s office is just down that hall and to the left.” She points to the hall.

“Thank you.” I head down the hall and I noticed Little Pip in an office to the right laying on a couch as I reached Long Arm’s office. He had a quant office, a single door with his name on it. I stopped and knocked at the door and waited a second.

“Just a minute,” he grumbled from the office. I heard him get up and start moving towards the door, I could tell he was a big stallion as I heard his hooves clop on the floor. “This better be important so help me and if it’s you Axel you better run before I kick your ass.” He finally opened the door and had a grim look on his face and he stood a body length taller than me. I’ve never felt so small towards a pony in my life. He snorted, and said, “Well you ain’t Axel, so I guess you can come in.” He moved back away from the door to let me in, and he trotted back to his desk, “What can I do for you?” 

I replied, “Yes, well,” I try to keep my voice cracking, “I’m the assistant to Mr. Noctu and I was interested in acquiring some rubber bullets for, for practice, because he has some friends from out of town coming that are interested in shooting some guns while visiting. I’ve already book the range for him now all I need are the bullets.”

He just stared at me scrutinizing for what felt like an eternity and he then replied, “How many bullets and what size do you need?”

I tried to hide my sigh of relief, “180 9mm pistol rounds, and 120 10mm pistol rounds.”

He pulled a form from his desk, filled it out, and handed it to me and said, “Here is the requisition form for the rubber bullets, once you leave my office go left down the hall to the pickup window. The quartermaster will get the bullets for you and it will 540 bottle caps, make sure you give him the money.”

“Thank you,” I got up and headed out of the office to the window and got the bullets and left the station back to Shadous’ apartment. Hopefully he will know of a place that we can start Butter Cup with melee training then the next day will be to the range at eight am.


*  *  *


On the next day after consulting Shadous and Tempest I went to wake up Butter Cup for her first day of training. Shadous managed to talk with Miss Shadow and she had a large dance room at her club that we could “rent” for our Melee training for the week, also Tempest was willing to teach her how to Shoot when we had the ranges. She also offered to give lessens in Hoof to Hoof combat for Butter Cup. My only responsibility was only to train her in melee so she could take care of herself and by her request so she could share the responsibility in watches while we are out in the Wasteland. Well Tempest headed to the training area an hour before I was to wake up Butter Cup to start her basic training. So right has the sun rose I went to her room with a couple trashcan lids and held them in my telekinetic field and slammed them together at a fast beat and as loud as I could make them sound. 

As soon as the clamoring started Butter Cup screamed and jumped at least 6 feet above her bed, I did my best not to laugh but it was hilarious. I then yelled, “Alright soldier it’s time to wake up for training you have 5 minutes to clean up and get out of the room and have breakfast! If you are not out with in the 5 minutes you will not get breakfast is THAT CLEAR!”

Butter Cup gave a confused look and replied, “What the hay Mineko. Are ya alright, it’s way too early fer this,” As she yawned. 

“You have four minutes, now get moving or you will not get any breakfast!” I replied and walked out.

“Are ya serious!? Or is this some kind of joke?” She replied.

I yelled back, “Three minutes and thirty seconds!”

After that I believe she got the picture and right at the end of the time she got out and stood before me with a confused look. I replied, “Ok well come and eat up you need to get ready for your training and the reason it’s so early I need to teach all you need to know within a week, because we don’t have the luxury that my parents had with me, so you are getting a crash training in all combat arts this week and you will have to find your little niche during the course of our travels. Now you have ten minutes to eat,” as I sat at the table. On the table Tempest cooked some eggs, toast and a box of Orange Juice for each of us.

“Are ya serious how am AH goin’ ta digest all of this before we start training,” as she waved her fore hooves over the meal.

“I assure you I am very serious, and if you want more time well you will have to get up earlier, now eat up.” So we quickly ate from that point on she didn’t say any more. Once we finished breakfast we headed out unfortunately Butter Cup was unable to finish her food so she took what could and finished it on the way. I may be trying to make this experience like the military but it really isn’t she is still my little sister I just wanted to fulfill my promise to her.
We reached the area and Tempest was sitting there just waiting for us with her eyes closed and I was about to say something, and she interrupted me, “Mineko, Butter Cup, morning to you both.”

“Morning,” I replied.

“Mornin’,” Butter Cup said.

“Ok, well if we are ready I want Butter Cup to come at me.”

“Really, but why?” Butter Cup asked.

“Because for me to train you in Hoof to Hoof combat I need to know what you can do first,” Tempest replied, “so come at me.”

“Ok, but yer eyes are closed, ah don’t think it’s fair if you have yer eyes closed while ah can still use mine,” she replied.

“It is much fairer than you think, so come at me.”

“OK, ah guess,” then Butter Cup ran at her with all her speed looking like she was trying to clothesline Tempest. Just before she reached her, Tempest opened her eyes, with one graceful movement her wings flared and she spun and had Butter Cup on the ground pinned with a series of hooflocks.

“First of all why were you trying to clothesline me, and second what else do you think you did wrong?” Tempest asked.

“AH thought it would be the best attack ta do when ah was chargin’, ‘cause ah ain’t big enuf ta tackle ya and keep ya on the ground.” Butter Cup paused and continued, “The other thing did wrong ah have no idea.”

“Well it was a good idea to try that attack but you are not a pegasus. Pegasi are strong in the fore legs, as for a second reason you did not have the weight to do it effectively.” Tempest said in a scholarly tone, “The second reason for failing to make contact is you hesitated when my wings flared and in that brief moment could be life or death.”

“So what are ya tryin’ ta say?”

“That when you are in a fight hesitation can be life threatening,” Tempest replied, she let Butter Cup off the floor.

“So what’s next?”

“We train,” Tempest replied. “First we need to teach you the basics in the difference between all the pony races. First of all we will start with the pegasus, we are not very strong in the back legs but are stronger in the fore legs, we have extra appendages that can help us with holds, and we can fly. Earth Ponies are sturdier and are much stronger in their back legs than their front. While unicorns have the most unknown of powers that varies greatly between each individual,their magic, other than that they are pretty much equal between front and back legs, but weaker physically than the other races.”

“Ok, So what are ya tryin’ ta say?” 

“Simple,” Tempest continued, “you need to learn how to use your rear legs.”

“How,” Butter Cup asked, “it seems rather hard ta do that especially when ya are in the middle of combat.”

“That is why I’m going to teach you the duck, spin and kick.” Tempest replies, “It is very effective against attacks that are aimed high.”

The rest of the morning I watched Tempest continue to teach Butter Cup Hoof to Hoof combat then we broke for lunch. I could see that Butter Cup was getting to the point of exhaustion but she kept on like a good little soldier. After lunch it was my turn to start her on Melee training.

I gave her a dagger and showed her how to grip it with her mouth. I also attached a sheath for it on her front right shoulder. I had her practice pulling it and sheathing it for about 15 minutes until it was second nature. “Alright Butter Cup,” I said, “Now it is time to learn how to use it.” I hovered one of the wooden practice daggers I made and I took my own in my telekinetic field and we started to spar.

“Thisth is hard ta gith usthe to,” she tried to speak, “yall unicornsth are lucky with your magicth.”

I smacked her on the flank with my dagger. “Concentrate Butter Cup, “I reprimanded her, “your enemies would not stop if you tried to talk and fight at the same time.” We continued to spar for the rest of the day. I would give her tips and she would consistently get better but the day was draining her. Near the end of the day I was noticing many mistakes because of how tired she was. Finally I said, “Enough let us call it a day,” and she practically collapse right then and there. 

“AH am plum tuckered out,” Butter Cup exclaimed.

“Well lets clean this place up and we will go home,” I replied. We quickly cleaned up and once we were done I noticed that Butter Cup was fighting to stay awake, so I quickly picked her up and gentle sat her on my back. I said “You go ahead relax just be ready for tomorrow you will learn how to shoot.”

“Really,” she yawned, “Ah guess ah will have ta get up early again huh?”

“Yeap,” I replied, I waited for a response and didn’t get one so I looked on my back and I saw she was slumped and had a rhythmic breathing. I figured out quickly she fell asleep once she was comfortable on my back.

“Ah love ya Mineko,” she muttered in her sleep as we walk back to the apartment.


*  *  *


The next day I went to wake up Butter Cup but noticed she was already awake and ready to go, “Morning Butter Cup. Go ahead and grab some breakfast.”

“Mornin’, Mineko, So what are we doin’ taday?” She asked.
As we walked to the table we passed the living room, Tempest was there cleaning a couple of guns, I replied “Tempest is going to take you to the range and you are going to learn how to shoot and take care of firearms.”

“Ya serious?” her eyes lit up.

“Yeap I promised if you learned how to protect yourself that I will start letting you help out with watches like a grown filly. I intend to keep that promise if you keep up what you are doing right now.” We then sat down to eat.
Tempest stuck her head through the door way and said, “I’m going to head to the range and get everything set up for Butter Cup’s training.”

“Alright, we will be there shortly,” I replied. So we finished breakfast and then headed out as we were leaving, noticed Shadous was awake.

He stopped me and then said, “I have to go take care of some business and won’t be back till the end of the week. You and Tempest are welcome to continue to use my apartment until I get back.”

“Thanks, Shadous, this really means a lot to me.”

“It’s not a problem,” he replied, “besides its better than trying to get a visitors permit and living in a temporary room.” We then left to the firing range.

We reached the firing range and Tempest was waiting with a very serious look in her eyes. Once we entered she spoke, “Now take your seats, before I take you to actually fire a gun I first need to explain some rules beforehoof.” We sat down and Butter Cup paid close attention to her. “First of all do not be afraid of the gun unless it is pointed at you, guns don’t kill ponies, ponies kill ponies. Second even though we are using non-lethal rounds we will still treat each gun as if it has lethal rounds. Third there is no horseplay on the range, now pay attention I’m gonna explain the rules for the guns themselves.”

“But wait,” Butter Cup said with a confused look, ”Ah thought we were goin’ through then already?”

“Yes, but the rules I just stated was for the range itself,” Tempest replied, “I emphasized and separated them because they are the most important rules for firearms.” She cleared her throat and continued, “Rule 1, always treat a firearm as if it is loaded even if it isn’t! Rule 2, never point a firearm at somepony or something you are not prepared to shoot! Rule 3, Always be sure of your target and what is behind it! Rule 4, Keep off the trigger until you are ready to fire! Always follow these rules no matter what, as you get better they will be second nature to you just like they are for me.”

“Wow, that seems like a lot ta remember,” Butter Cup replied.

“Trust me when I’m done with you they will be drilled into you and you WILL NOT FORGET!” Tempest replied as she moved right into Butter Cup’s face. “First order of business is to teach you how to hold the gun and the stance you should be in to fire.” She pulled a gun out that was completely unloaded and open, and said, ”Mineko can you please verify that this weapon is clear and safe.” 

I walked up and looked at the weapon and then I said, “Yes it is clear and safe.”

“Good,” she replied, “Butter Cup, front and center, this is what we call condition four.  We put our weapons in this condition any time we get a new one or before and after we do the maintenance on them, also when we are giving the weapon to another pony. Most of the time as we are traveling in the wasteland we will be in condition one, which is loaded and one round in the chamber.” She continued to instruct Butter Cup as I just watched her train. 
She spent half the day teaching her the basics in the stance, holding the gun, and drawing the gun. Once we had lunch she took Butter Cup into the actual range and did live firing. Butter Cup wasn’t bad, but nothing like Tempest. Anytime she fired it was always close to or directly in the center of the target. The afternoon seemed long, and every time Butter Cup forgot a rule Tempest stopped the exercise, sat her down, and made her write the rule out multiple times before she could go back to firing gun. Tempest was ruthless but I expected as such, firearms are very dangerous if you didn’t have the right training. Once the day was done we headed back for dinner. 


*   *   *


The next morning was very much the same as the previous morning and we continued Butter Cup’s training in fire arms then in the afternoon we did more melee training.  Friday was much the same as well and this was the final day of training. Finally after Friday was done Butter Cup was doing well and I figured she had enough training to start helping us during our travels, and once the day was done we headed back to the apartment.

“So ah guess same thing tomorrow right, Mineko?” Butter Cup asked.

I replied, “Nope I think you have enough to do what you need to out in the wasteland, I will start letting you help out.”

“Ya mean it,” she replied excitedly.

“I do.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” she said as she was about to hop on all fours around me, I stopped it before it got too far.

“I’m glad you are excited, but you have to continue to practice but for now tomorrow you can have a break from training.” I said.

“Great but ain’t that the day y’all are goin’ ta the clinic fer Tempest’s wing?” she asked.

“Yes, but you don’t need to come if you don’t want to.”

“But AH do she is still a friend of mine and friends need ta stick together,” was her reply.

“Ok,” I nuzzled her, “I will make sure you are with us.”

“Thanks, Mineko,” she replied. We went back to the apartment and finished the day out with a slight celebration and a great dinner Tempest scrounged up.


*   *   *


The next day we got up and to our surprise Shadous had returned and already had a breakfast made for us. 

“Welcome back Shadous,” I said with a grin.

“Hey.”

“Thanks again for letting us use your place we all appreciated it we all needed the rest.” I said trying to strike a conversation with the stallion. After that the rest of our party woke up and we decided to go ahead with breakfast before heading to the clinic.

We all went to the clinic after we ate, even Shadous came with us. Once we reached the clinic, Dr. Helpinghoof took a look at the wing with the help of his unicorn assistant. “Well it looks like it healed well enough though I’m not so skilled with Pegasi that well,” Helpinghoof continued, ”not many of those in the wasteland, luckily Life Bloom had some books on the matter.”

“So can I start to fly again or do I need to remain grounded longer?” Tempest asked.

“Well,” he gave a look like he was deep in thought then continued, “yes you can start flying but take it easy for the next few days, so no crazy stunts or fast flying.”

“Ok thanks doc,” Tempest replied. 

“Not a problem,” he said. We then headed back to the suite, while we were walking Butter Cup came next to me.

“Hey Mineko, Ah had this weird dream last night of a weapon that Ah think would work fer me but Ah need some help ta make it.”

“What, can you describe the weapon to me?” I asked with concern.

“Well it is a blade that is shaped like a crescent moon like what Ah saw in books Ah read at my pappaw’s, with the 
handle behind the curved part.” She said.

“Well that doesn’t sound too hard I’m sure we could get it made here, but we really don’t have the time to wait,” I replied.

“Well, it’s not that simple Ah need ta be able to throw it as well and it would come back ta me, like it was powered by some sort of magic.”

“Now that is troubling, not many have arcano tech anymore,” Tempest butted in, “sorry I couldn’t help but hear what you two are talking about. I seriously doubt we could ever find a way to make something like that.”

Butter Cup replied, disappointedly, “Ah should‘ve figured that but it was an idea. Ah guess Ah will have ta stick with the gun but Ah am not really good with it.”

Tempest look at the disappointed filly and the said, “I will tell you what I will ask around about getting a weapon like that made here while I’m out gathering supplies. I’m assuming we will be leaving soon?”

“Yes,” I replied, “I have a plan.”

“You always do.”

When we reached the suite I gathered everypony together at the table and placed the map out that Homage gave me. “Ok, I got word that Mars is residing here in Gildedale, and unfortunately DJ. Pon3 has no eyes there but he said a ship may be by in a few weeks that we could possibly charter to get there.” I looked at everypony and attempting to gauge their thoughts, Shadous was the first to speak.

“I’m guessing this is just a start, you have something else in mind to do besides just waiting here, am I right?”

“Yes,” I replied, “I want to go back to trading post Twenty Two, my home.”

Footnote: Level up, New perk: Work Horse, you have toiled and moved things that normal ponies are not able to move or carry, you can carry 50 more pounds of equipment.