Chapter 1: Sweet Rose

It was just another day in Stable 6. The Overmare’s jingle came over the Stable PA system. “Sunshine, Sunshine, Butterflies awake. Clap your hooves and give a little shake.” Oh how this pony rolled her eyes at it. The Overmare then came over to give the daily announcements. Not much new was happening. She gave the usual announcements: Birthdays, weddings that were coming up, anniversaries, births, Cutie Mark Celebrations (Cutiebrations for short) coming up, the same ole boring announcements that rarely seem to change. But there was something different today that ended the announcements. Something that this Stable hadn’t heard about for a few years, well since this pony’s father’s, which happened 19 years prior. A death happened.

It was one of the Elder ponies. Their Elders were now living longer lives, so it was rare for one to pass away. This pony would know. She visits the Elder wing quite often and they are still getting around like they were still young mares and stallions. The oldest stallion, which had passed away that morning, had lived long enough to see his great grandfoals. It was more common that the Elders live to see two or three generations pass their kids. The most common was two generations. But the Overmare family had the tendency to see three, along with a few others. Of course there are always exceptions. Some of these said exceptions are her great and great, great grandmothers. They passed before they should have. But thinking about this made this pony sad. She only had just met her great great grandmother who passed away a few days after (made her think that it was her fault for a few years.) She did have a chance to get to know her great grandmother before she passed away. This mare doesn’t like to think about those deaths though. They all happened before her father’s.

This pony listened as the Overmare had the stable take a moment of silence in respect for the family and announced the time of the funeral. It was tomorrow, as usual. But funerals aren’t sad here. Never had been. It has always been a party of sorts. And this pony was looking forward to one….that is if she wasn’t the Overmare’s own daughter who was already announced that she would take over the Overmare position when she came to age. So she had to sit there and look all proper and make sure that the family left behind had a good time.

The little jingle of the Overmare faded after the announcement was over, the mare left her room. She had a few things going on today to prepare for the funeral. She was, of course, one of the first to know about this death and her mother had told her that she would give the Overmare speech during the Funeral. But first she had some friends to meet. They always met in the morning for breakfast. Each wing had their own cafeteria. It helped because the Stable used to be so big. But they all still intermingled with each other during activities. She couldn’t wait to complain to her friends about this one though. But there was one other reason why she couldn’t wait to get there…there was a special stallion that she has been having feeling for recently. The mare ran into the cafeteria that she thought they were meeting in that morning, but they weren’t there. She saw the mom of one of the group members and ran over.

“Ms. Finish! Where is Jewel?” The mare asked. She must have startled her because she dropped the tray that she had in her mouth.

“Oh, Sweetie. Jewel said she was going to meet Lightning Dash and head over to meet the others at Lucky Star’s. To pay their respects to him and his family about their loss.” Ms. Finish said. “Jewel said she was going to message you on your Pipbuck about it.”

“I didn’t receive a message. Oh well. Thanks. Have a nice breakfast!” The mare said and ran off. Lucky Star was in their class when they were in school. It makes sense that they wanted to go give them their respects first thing in the morning. She saw the group outside of the family’s quarters and ran up. “Hey guys.” She greeted her friends before moving her way to the front. Lucky Star had answered the door.

“Hey Rosie. Thanks for what you did for gramps. He said he always did enjoy when you came to see him.” Lucky Star hoofed the metal floor with a slight blush of embarrassment. Lucky Star always blushed when it came to her. She noticed that about him. But he knew, as well as the mare, that an Earth Pony couldn’t be with the Overmare. But it didn’t stop him from crushing on her. “It means a lot that you came here. Well, I better go back to my family. We are trying to decide who gets his things.” And with that the door slid shut.

“Jewel, thanks for the message. It was awesome finding out that you weren’t at the cafeteria.” She shouldered her friend.

“Sorry. I thought you would have just came here to pay respects and thought we would see you here.” Jewel said. “Besides Sweet Rose, you wouldn’t shrug off your Overmare duties just for some food.”

“Psh. When my stomach calls, I have to answer to it.” The mare, now named Sweet Rose, laughed with the rest of the group.

“Come on Rose. Let’s get food. I’m starving.” Lightning Dash said as he led the group back towards the cafeteria that they had planned on meeting in. “Maybe after this we can head down a few floors and go to the obstacle course and time ourselves again.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I might not be as fast as some of you all.” A shy Pegasus said next to Sweet Rose.

“Oh, Flutter, the only thing you need to do is beat your last time. We aren’t trying to beat each other. Right Riot?” Rose asked the unicorn male walking next to her.

“Eeyup.” He said. “All you need to do is do your best Flutter Shy and give it your all.” Riot Shield gave the shy Pegasus a smile and that seemed to calm her down. The group walked into the cafeteria and saw that there were still some spots for them. “Aw man Lightning, you are so lucky there are still spots left. I’m so hungry.” Riot smiled before trotting off towards the line. Sweet Rose let out a sigh, a dreamy one, as Riot Shield left.

“Uh oh, someone is in complete dreamy state.” Jewel said.

“Oh hush. Riot Shield is like the most popular unicorn in all of Stable 6. He is like the best security pony we have here. I doubt he thinks anything of me. But now isn’t the time. I’m hungry.” Sweet Rose trotted after Riot Shield and the others followed.

“Hey isn’t your little brother having his Cutiebration soon?” Meadow Lark asked Sweet Rose.

“Yep. Aren’t you heading up the party? He wanted to make sure that you had 200 balloons. Think you are up to the task?” Sweet Rose smiled at Meadow Lark.

“You bet. There hasn’t been a party that I have not been able to host successfully.” He said as they got their food. Meadow Lark and Jewel were about to take their trays in their mouths when Sweet Rose got them in her magic.

“Come on, the others are already at the table.” Sweet Rose took off in a mild trot. She sat their trays down in their normal spots.

“So what is everyone planning on doing today after the gym?” Lightning Dash asked. “I for one have to teach gym today to the young ones.”

“I’m helping the farmers with the planting.” Flutter Shy spoke quietly.

“The usual for me.” Riot Shield said. “A security pony never rests.” He said with determination.

“I’m working on the party details for the party after the Funeral tomorrow with Jewel.” Meadow Lark informed.

“Yep, I’ll also be working on the barding for your brother to wear for his Cutiebration in a few days.” Jewel said. “And what are you doing?”

“Working on my first speech….as Overmare in training.” Sweet Rose spoke softly.

“What did you say?” Lightning Dust asked.

“I said…..working on my first speech.” She said normally before quieting the last part.

“You know you don’t have to hide it from us.” Riot said putting a hoof on her shoulder.

“I’m working on my first speech as Overmare-in-training!” She kind of shouted. The whole cafeteria had gotten quiet before her friends started laughing to break the silence.

“Oh silly, you know you don’t have to hide the fact that you are the Overmare’s daughter with us.” Jewel said. “We tell you that all the time. We are your friends after all.”

“We don’t care what your job or title is in this Stable. You are Sweet Rose after all. We became your friends for who you are.” Meadow Lark said.

“You were nice to me, when all the other ponies kind of ignored me. That is the Sweet Rose I know.” Flutter Shy added.

“Any time you need help, we are always here for you.” Riot Shield said.

“Yeah. Thanks guys.” Sweet Rose said. “Now let’s eat! I’m starving!”

“LET’S EAT!” The rest of the group replied.

Sweet rose ate her food in silence while she listened to the others talk. But the fact didn’t change. She was still the Overmare’s daughter and her mother expected her to have that speech done by lunch so she could look it over. A lot of responsibilities were being placed on her since her coming of age ceremony was only a few years away and she already didn’t have much time for her friends anymore. Plus her mother was expecting to hear from her all the candidates that she had in mind for possible Stallions for her to marry. But all Sweet Rose really wanted to have was a normal life, a life that only her little brother will ever get to see.

Sweet Rose jumped when Jewel placed a hoof on hers. That is when she realized that Lightning Dash was trying to get her attention. “Rose, you ok? You seem a bit spacy right now.”

“Yeah. Just everything my mom is expecting of me is starting to get to me.” Sweet Rose said. “I’m gonna go ahead and head on over to the gym. I’ll see you guys there.” She floated her tray over to the recycle chutes and dropped the appropriate items in their places. She then floated over her leftover food to the Compost chute and dropped them in it before leaving. Everypony was in the cafeterias so the halls were empty. She knew that she could speak into her Pipbuck without much disturbance.
She punched a few buttons and it started to record.

“Here is my speech for Mr. Shooting Star’s Funeral.”

Sweet Rose: A young mare who is being groomed by her mother to become the next Overmare when she turns 25. Current Age: 22. Crush: Riot Shield. Stable Position: Overmare-in-Training. Stable Job: Flower Arranging. Hobby: Spending time in the school wing on Floor 3, spending time in the Elder Wing on Floor 4, and spending time with her 5 friends. What she looks like: Sweet Rose

Chapter 2: Something's Not Right

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Chapter 2: Something’s Not Right

Speeches. If there was one thing that Rose hated more than writing them, it was giving them. Sweet Rose was sitting down at a table. It was tradition that the Overmare sat with the family of the deceased while the rest sat with their families. The joyous party was sure to happen after the formal ceremony. Of course the body was no longer there. They cremate it within a few hours after death, unless it was sudden. But this death was natural and thus the body was turned to ash.

The time for Sweet Rose to give the Overmare speech was not too far from this point. Her mother still presided over the ceremony as she usually did. They went through Shooting Star’s life and how he was a gym instructor and everything. Different ponies made their remarks, they sang some songs, and they remembered him how he was. But the ceremony couldn’t go slow enough. Before she knew it, her mother was calling her up to give the speech. Slowly, Sweet Rose made her way up to her mother.

“Do I have to do this?” Rose whispered to her mother away from mic.

“Yes.” Chrysanthemum said to her daughter. “It’s a good speech. Very honoring. I’ll be proud no matter how the rest take it.” She said putting a hoof on Rose’s shoulder. Sweet Rose took her place on the stage and glanced down at her Pipbuck once before taking a big breath. ‘Here we go.’ She thought and let her memory do the work.

“Shooting Star. That’s exactly who he was. I met Shooting Star when I was a young filly. Not much older than my little brother now. He was there in the Elder Wing, just retired from serving the Stable as a Gym Instructor for all the ponies around. Shooting Star had high spirits even after his legs started becoming weak, but that didn’t stop this star from shining.

“When Shooting Star and I met once a week, he would always tell me about his grandfoals and Great grandfoals and how he taught them the things he learned in life, just as he had taught his foals. He never once let me leave his dwelling without telling me one of those life lessons. And those life lessons are something that I still find myself hearing him say in my head today. Shooting Star isn’t gone. He is beginning to live. I know I am not the only one who has heard his lessons and those lessons will be passed on to our foals and they will pass them on to theirs. The whole stable in three or more generations will still know who Shooting Star was and is.

“One week, Shooting Star told me about his Grandfoal Lucky Star and showed me a picture. I then realized that this was the colt that I had seen being picked on for being the smallest colt in the class, even smaller than us fillies. I thought what he was going to say was just going to end with that, but what surprised me was a lesson that he weaved into it. ‘Just because you are the bigger one, doesn’t mean you can’t stand up for the smaller one.’ I didn’t get what he meant that day. But it wasn’t until a few days later in gym class where some of the older colts started picking on Lucky. Those words rang through my head that moment and I got what he meant. I don’t think I need to tell you how that ended, as I am sure we all remember the announcement about that the next day.

“Shooting Star didn’t mind it when I started to rant about my life at home, as just like all, my home life isn’t perfect. He never once judged me for it, nor had he ever judged any of my family. It’s just the kind of man that he was. A kindness that I am sure I have shown others.

“When my little brother was starting to be bullied, I asked him for advice, as I have done with a lot of the Elders. But his advice was so much different and made so much more sense. ‘Do nothing.’ Now I had to ask what he meant of course. He put it like this, ‘Say you were the one being bullied, wouldn’t you rather have someone there watching over you than for them to just jump in? Sometimes just being there stops the bullying.’ I got what he meant when I asked Ms. Finish if I could start helping out with the schooling of the young colts and fillies. What I didn’t know at the time was that my brother wasn’t the only one, and just my being around helped the bullying.

“What I am trying to say is that Mr. Star just didn’t leave us with nothing. I am sure he taught us something beyond the normal gym class. For me, he taught me how to be accepting, the silent guard, the one who isn’t afraid to help one in need. Shooting Star physically may be gone, and there is a void that he left in his family. But he is still here in all our hearts and our actions. Shooting Star will live on in this Stable, maybe even more generations than what I originally said. But there is one thing that I will always remember about him, he always asked about my mother, the very first thing he always said. He cared about my mother and always asked how she was handling the loss of the love of her life, my birth father. I always told him, ‘She doesn’t have to handle it. She just does. We are getting by each day, and I think Mr. Shower is helping too.’

“I want to end my speech with a line from Mr. Star that I heard often from him:

“Live like you want to be remembered, not how you think you should live.”

Sweet Rose released a breath that she didn’t know she was holding most of the time. The room was silent. ‘Was it that bad? I knew it….I’m not cut out for………’ She stopped in mid-sentence when one pony started stomping in applause, then followed by another, and another, and another. Her speech…it was a success. She moved towards the stairs off the platform and her mother was there.

“I knew you were ready.” Chrysanthemum whispered to her daughter. “We can talk more about this later.” Chryssi smiled and walked back to her place to finish the rest of the Ceremony.

***

The party had just begun when Jewel and Meadow Lark came over.

“Good work Rosie. That speech was phenomenal. I can’t wait to hear another one.” Jewel smiled to Rose.

“Yeah. It made me all…larky inside.” Meadow Lark said with a smile, pulling a play of his name, again.

“Thanks guys. Have you seen Riot? I couldn’t spot him from up there.” Rose asked.

“I think he just slipped out. Said something along the lines that he had to check something out. ‘Nothing to worry the Overmare about’ he said.” Meadow Lark informed.

“Ok.” Sweet Rose looked down. “If he comes back, let him know I asked about him.”

“Of course Rosie.” Jewel said. “Come Larky, you owe me a dance.” Jewel and Meadow Lark went off towards the dance floor. Sweet Rose sighed and watched as Flutter Shy was off to the edge watching everypony dance. Lightning Dash was in the crowd of ponies that was dancing to the Stable DJ. Riot was the only pony that she didn’t spot. She listened as her mother was making small talk to the Star family while she kept an eye out on the ponies. It wasn’t long before Sweet Rose caught sight of Riot. He was making his way to the head table. The smile on his face let her know it was for social reasons that he was coming up there.

“Sweet Rose, that speech was perfect. I was wondering, if it is ok with you Overmare, if I may take Sweet Rose out for a dance.” Riot Shield was doing like he always did, threw on the formal charm that was just him.

“Of course Riot Shield. I know my daughter will be in safe hooves with you.” Chryssi smiled. “Hey Sweetie, he is a keeper you know.” Chryssi whispered in Sweet Rose’s ear before she was whisked away by Riot Shield. Sweet Rose was blushing when they made it out onto the dance floor.

“There. Now you can be with our friends.” He smiled at her. He must have known she was getting bored just sitting there with the family of the deceased.

“Thank you.” She smiled back at him. “I was starting to get bored there.” She looked around as Jewel and Meadow were heading over towards them. “So where did you slip off to?” She asked.

“I just had to check on something. One of the guards noticed something abnormal on a monitor. It was just some radioactive interference. Nothing to be too worried about. Right now, let’s enjoy this party.” Riot waved over Lightning Dash. Lightning grabbed Flutter Shy’s hoof and they came to join in the circle of friends.

“Sweet Rose. You were awesome up there! Totally cool.” Lightning Dash said. Sweet Rose just gave him a smile. But what Riot had said about the monitor blipping like that was not normal.

“Riot, after this, I want you to take me to the security wing and show me the blip.” Sweet Rose asked him only loud enough for him to hear.

“I don’t know. Usually you would have to get the Overmare’s permission to go there.” Riot Shield replied. Being the Captain of the Security forces meant he had a lot on his plate. “Maybe I can bring you in without getting her permission, after all, as future Overmare, you do have a right to see what goes on there.”

“No. If I need to ask my mother, I will ask.” Sweet Rose said firmly. “But right now, let’s enjoy ourselves.”

***

“But mother! You are always telling me to prepare to become the Overmare. Shouldn’t this be included?” Sweet Rose argued with her mother after the party ended and the day was finishing out as normal in the Stable.

“Yes I did say that, but the Security Wing is no place that you should be concerned about. Not while you are in training. Riot Shield has everything under control there and doesn’t need any of us snooping around there.” Chrysanthemum told her daughter bluntly. At this rate, Sweet Rose would never get back there. Riot Shield did say that the blip was nothing to be afraid of. But Sweet Rose had a different feeling. She had to get back there…..somehow. ‘…he’s a keeper.’ Chrysanthemum’s words rang out in Sweet Rose’s head. ‘THAT’S IT!’ Sweet Rose smiled as her plan came to mind.

“Ok. You are right. But how am I supposed to let you know if Riot Shield is the perfect Unicorn to put on my list of possible Stallions if I am not allowed to see what makes up his world currently?” Sweet Rose knew she made a point when her mother stopped pacing, as she normally did when they were arguing. “What I am saying is, I only know the Riot Shield from school and as a friend. I don’t know the Security Pony that he is. Wouldn’t you grant me at least an hour with him in the wing?”

“One hour. That’s it. If you aren’t home within a half hour after your hour is up in the wing, I’ll come get you personally.” Chryssi said.

“Thanks mom.” Sweet Rose hugged her mom and ran off towards the wing. It was towards the Overmare office….well it opened from the back of her mom’s office. But there was another entrance that was on the outside of her mother’s office, that only a few ponies knew about. Riot Shield knew about it.

“Hey! Mom gave me the ok for an hour.” Sweet Rose said running up to him. “I have to be out when the hour is up.”

“Not a problem. Let’s go shall we?” Riot Shield opened the secret door and they went in to the Security Wing. Riot Shield went ahead with the tour like it was normal to do so. He eventually led her to the room where they saw the blip and it was in chaos, which wasn’t normal.

“What’s going on?” Sweet Rose asked Riot quietly.

“I’ve never seen this many blips before!” A security pony called out.

“This is too many to be normal radiation spikes.” Another responded.

“EVERYPONY CALM DOWN!” Riot Shield called out. The security ponies stopped running around and looked over to Riot Shield. “Now explain to me what is happening.”

“The monitors are showing blips every 3 seconds. This isn’t normal radiation spikes, Mr. Shield. They are too frequent and too high to be radiation.” The second security pony answered.

“Could it be that it is picking up life?” Sweet Rose spoke out. It was then that everypony noticed the Overmare’s daughter in their presence. They all stood at attention after noticing.

“Sweet Rose ma’am. Forgive the chaos you had to witness. We never took that into consideration.” A third security pony responded.

“Sweet Rose, what would you have us do?” the first security pony asked.

“Um…that really isn’t my call. My mother is the one to contact.” Sweet Rose said. “Yes, contact my mother and have her come make the call. I am only an Overmare-in-training and I do not have the authority to make these decisions.”

“Good choice.” Riot Shield whispered in her ear. “Sweet Rose and I will personally go call the Overmare. Record everything until further notice.”

“Already done sir. Been recording since the first one.” The second security pony said.

“I knew I chose you all for a reason. Keep up the good work.” Riot Shield said and led Sweet Rose back down towards the Overmare office.

“You have a good group of Security Ponies.” Sweet Rose said after they were a little ways away from the monitor room.

“Yeah. Chose them myself. They keep me informed regularly while I do get chances to hang out with my friends.” Riot Shield smiled. “Besides, getting to see the whole Stable is a plus. I enjoy getting around to see everypony.”

“Then I bet you hardly rest.” Sweet Rose observed.

“On the contrary….Here we are, we should make our way to the Overmare dwelling.” Riot Shield led out of the Overmare office. It was closer to the Overmare dwelling than the other entrance.

***

“Sweet Rose stay here.” Chrysanthemum told her daughter strictly.

“But mother, I have already seen the…disturbance.” Sweet Rose said under her breath so her step-father and little brother couldn’t hear.

“No. You will only be in the way.” Chryssi said holding her hoof out to prevent Sweet Rose from following.

“But…Riot?” Sweet Rose looked to her friend.

“Sorry Rosie. I’m with your mother on this one.” Riot Shield shook his head. That only made Sweet Rose glare at him.

“Listen, if I need to hear your side, I will ask when I get back.” Chryssi said. “Dusty, I’ll be back soon.” And with that, her mother was out the door. Sweet Rose growled in frustration.

“I’m going for a walk.” Sweet Rose ran out the door, ignoring the call of Dust Shower.

Rose walked around the Stable’s North Wing, the wing that contained the Stable door. She sometimes came here to talk to the guards that were posted there ever so often. This night was one of those nights they were there. One recognized her when she came. “Eey, it’s a Rosie Posie.” The guard said. The other one must have been new to door duty. “The Overmare’s daughter, ya dimwit. Whatcha doin’ ova here? Get inta one of ya fights with the moms?”

“Yeah. She’s telling me to be more assertive with me being in training and when I do, she pushes me back.” Rose said sitting down at the small table.

“Ms. Rose, I just think your mother is trying to protect you from worrying over something that you don’t need to worry about yet.” The other guard said.

“You can call me Rose or Sweetie.” Sweet Rose told the new guard. “But I don’t think that is it.” She said just before the Overmare came over the Pipbuck of the new guard.

“Blue Badge, send out a transmission that says ‘To the Life above, life is still present here.’ Make it unencrypted.”

“Yes Ma’am.” The new guard, named Blue Badge, went over to a screen and typed out the message. “Well here we go.” Blue Badge sent the message.

“Ya moms thinks that its life out there?” The familiar security pony asked.

“I guess Smitty. Who knows?” Sweet Rose said.

“Whatever the case. It is just a matter of time before we hear some response. Care to join us in some casual conversation?” Blue Badge asked.

“No, I should get back to my dwelling. See ya, Smitty. Bye, Blue Badge.” Sweet Rose walked back out to the Stable, not without hearing the faint sound of something exploding.

It was small, but she heard it.

Riot Shield: A young stallion that isn't afraid of protecting those who he is close with. Current Age: 27. Crush: Sweet Rose (head over hooves for her). Stable Position: Administration. Stable Job: Head Security Pony. Hobby: When he has time off, reading, being with his friends, challenging Lightning Dash to competitions, and being near Sweet Rose. What he looks like: Riot Shield

Chapter 3: All hope is....

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Chapter 3: All hope is….

‘It was just a dream….wasn’t it?’ Sweet Rose asked herself after hours of running with her friends. Here they were. Outside the Stable that they had lived in their whole lives, never dreaming of stepping foot outside the Stable Door. That really just happened to where they had lived their whole lives? Sweet Rose knew something wasn’t right when they said there were more than just one blip on that screen. The distant explosion that she heard the hours before didn’t help her feel any better. But it wasn’t like she had any time to process what had happened that night, not until now. It was all still fresh in their minds.

***

Sweet Rose awoke to an alarm that she had never heard before blaring through the Stable PA system. Sounds of short and quick pops came from beyond her dwelling door. Screams of agony and pain penetrated the solid steel door. Sweet Rose thought she was dreaming, but was shaken from that thought as Riot Shield busted into her dwelling.

“Sweet Rose, no time to explain, we need to go.” He said throwing off her blanket with his magic and throwing some of her clothes in a bag.

“Come on.” He insisted and nearly pulled her out of bed with his magic.

“I’m up. What’s going on?” Sweet Rose tried to ask, but Riot Shield was more worried about getting her out of there. “Riot, I can run on my own.” She said taking to the ground running after him. Riot slung her saddle bags over his back and led her down a hallway that she didn’t recognize anymore. Red. Everywhere. The pops she heard back in her dwelling sounded louder. That is when she saw it. A robotic looking pony that started shooting at them. Riot Shield pushed them both out of the way and the bullets missed Sweet Rose but grazed Riot’s flank. Gritting his teeth, Riot ran at the robot and kicked his hind legs and seemed to disorient the pony, long enough to get her out of that area. She then noticed he was taking her up towards the Door. “Riot, where are you taking me?” but once again, Riot Shield was more focused on the task at hoof.

“Jewel and Flutter Shy are out there waiting for you, Lightning and Meadow are on their way. Stay there until I get back.” Riot said in her ear. He pushed her towards the open Stable Door and rushed back into the Stable. Sweet Rose looked at the gaping hole where the Stable Door used to be. She was told stories about ponies that tried to leave on their own, how they never returned. She was scared to step out, until loud popping noise came from behind her. It gave her the push to go out and see Jewel clasping onto Flutter Shy. Just what was going on?

Moments later, Lightning Dash and Meadow Lark emerged with Riot behind them. “RUN!” Riot shouted. The group had no choice but to just start running. They found stairs that lead up towards something. “Don’t stop.” He shouted again. The girls lead up the stairs out into a place of ruins and stopped. “Don’t stop!” Riot shouted once more, and the girls started running. Lightning Dash started flapping his wings and took to the air.

“I’ll scout ahead Riot.” He shouted before flying off. Riot watched as Lightning flew off as Meadow Lark caught up to the girls.

“Come on, Lightning Dash is finding us a place to hide, we just need to keep running.” He said to Flutter Shy who was still in hysterics. That seemed to calm her down some, enough to run on her own.

“I’ll explain everything when we get to safety, right now, we aren’t safe.” Riot Shield said while bringing up the rear.

“Up ahead. A building mostly intact. We can hide there!” Lightning Dash said flying back. “Flutter Shy, flap your wings. You can fly.” He came down next to her and tried to encourage her to fly, but it didn’t work. But it didn’t matter much, they were there in a matter of moments.

“I guess you all are wondering what happened tonight.” Riot Shield said after a while of them catching their breath.

“How did those things know where we were?” Jewel asked.

“….” Riot Shield went silent for a moment. “It’s partially my fault. I suggested to the Overmare that we send them a signal that there was still life in our home. If only we had known that these ponies had meant harm, I….”

“Oh, darling, you couldn’t have known. It’s not anypony’s fault.” Jewel said.

“Mom….” Flutter Shy whimpered. Sweet Rose was holding onto her now.

“Riot, what was happening?” Sweet Rose asked. She could tell he was hesitant about telling him what happened.

“Those things we saw were called Steel Rangers. Back in the time of peace and war, they were created to help bring peace during the war. I don’t know why they attack us, but it was clear that they were out to kill. Poor Flutter Shy’s mother was one of the unlucky ones.” Riot Shield informed the group.

“But what are the current numbers?” Sweet Rose asked.

“Many are dead, Rosie. But we all look to you now.” Meadow Lark spoke in a more depressed tone than she had ever heard him in.

“What?” Sweet Rose wanted to make sure she heard him right.

“Sweet Rose, you are the new Overmare.” Lightning Dash said swooping in after he had done a check of the parameter.

“I’m not following.” Sweet Rose was confused.

“Your mother is dead, Sweet Rose. Your step-father and little brother as well.” Riot Shield told her, putting a hoof on her shoulder. It wasn’t long before Sweet Rose was reeling and about to pass out.

“My….mother….is….” Sweet Rose got out before passing out.

***

Sweet Rose woke up hours later. She looked around and noticed that this was not just a dream, it was reality. A harsh, and cruel reality that means what happened to them, happened. Nothing will change. They were all now subjects in the world outside of the Stable. They knew nothing. “How are we….” Sweet Rose voiced as the others noticed she was awake.

“One day at a time.” Riot Shield told them. “We have to stay strong for those who died and those who survived.”

“But the Stable….” Sweet Rose voiced everypony’s concern.

“We can’t go back.” Meadow Lark said. “If we go, then the stable perishes. We need to believe we are the sole survivors.”

“But what of our families Meadow? My little sister, mother, father? They are probably going to worry.” Jewel spoke concern.

“We can’t go back. We need to trust that they can survive until we can find a new place to take the survivors.” Lightning Dash said. “We just have survive until then.”

“Our first priority is to find water and food. Who knows what we will find here?” Riot Shield assessed the situation.

“Our first priority is rest. Riot look at us. We were pulled out of our beds to escape. And it is still dark outside.” Sweet Rose said. “We don’t have the stamina you do. Why don’t you and Lightning Dash take first watch? We’ll switch every two hours until something happens. When we are rested, we’ll take off and look for food and water.”

“But….” Riot started and was cut off by Sweet Rose putting her hoof to his nose.

“Sleep.” She said. “Flutter Shy, Jewel and I will be together. Meadow could sleep with you guys.” Sweet Rose helped Jewel get Flutter Shy to another room of the building. This room had a big bed that was dirty and had springs sticking out.

“Oh my. Don’t tell me you want to sleep on that.” Jewel proclaimed.

“Jewel, it’s more comfortable than the ground.” Sweet Rose observed. “More comfortable than the beds in the Stable.”

“Really?” Jewel climbed in after helping Flutter Shy in. The poor mare had curled up to Sweet Rose. “Well, I will it that, but I hope I get nothing from this bed.”

“Flutter Shy it’s ok. We are all together and we won’t be separated.” Sweet Rose laid her head on Flutter Shy’s shoulder to let her know that she wasn’t alone.

***

The sky was already light out when Riot woke Sweet Rose up. “Lightning and I need a rest. Think you and Meadow can handle?”

“Yeah. Think one of you can rest up some? I rather not have Flutter Shy take watch.” Sweet Rose asked.

“I will.” Riot said and started to walk off.

“Jewel told me. About your mother. I’m sorry that you witnessed it. She also told me that Flutter Shy watched as her parents were gunned down before you pulled her out.” Sweet Rose apologized as she walked to the lookout point.

“I still have to keep going. I can’t show weakness during this time. I swore to your mother that I would protect you.” Riot said as he followed her.

“What?” Sweet Rose looked at him.

“Your mother was dying when I got there. Both your step-father and brother were already dead when I arrived.” Sweet Rose could tell he was also suffering his own loss but just putting on a brave face. “She told me to take you outside the Stable and escape. She believed that you should live and be able to come back one day and reclaim the Stable. I swore that I would protect you and all our friends until we could come back.” Riot looked out over the area after sending Meadow Lark back to bed.

“I thought…” Sweet Rose watched as Meadow headed back to his corner.

“I’m fine. I can last.” He convinced himself.
Sweet Rose was quiet for a while watching cautiously. She then heard quiet deep breathing and looked to see Riot Shield asleep at her side, head resting gently on her shoulders. With her magic, Sweet Rose moved him and laid him down. “Rest well Riot.” She smiled and nudged Meadow Lark. “Hey take watch with me.”

“But I thou-” Meadow started but then saw the sleeping Riot Shield. “Oh, ok. Let’s do this.”

***

It was dark out when Flutter Shy stirred and woke up. "Sweetie Rose?" her soft voice woke Rose up. Only Flutter Shy called her Sweetie Rose, so she knew that her friend was awake. Sweet Rose lifted her head and noticed Jewel was back in the room. Watch must have switched while she was asleep.

"Yes Flutter?" Sweet Rose asked yawning.

"Are we really outside the Stable?" It was the most she had heard out of her friend since they left. She must have come to the reality of what happened.

"Yeah. Riot said that we are going to be out here for a while."

“Oh. Ok.” Flutter Shy looked around the room. “Where are we?”

“I’m not sure. We ran until Lightning told us about this place.” Sweet Rose got out of the bed to check on the guys. Flutter Shy followed her.

“We are here until we rest up. I think we are going to start searching for food and water. Well as soon as Riot wakes up.” She told her. “You don’t have to follow me Flutter.” She told her friend when she noticed that she was following her closely.”

“I-I know. I-I just don’t want you to be a-alone.” Flutter squeaked.

“I didn’t mean it like that. But you know, somepony’s gotta pee.” Sweet Rose blushed that she had to explain that.

“Oh…I’m sorry.” Flutter Shy slunk back to the room. But that wasn’t what Sweet Rose was going to do. She needed to get back to the stable and the boys fell asleep on the job, so it gave her the perfect opportunity.

***

Sweet Rose had been running for a while and found the place where they had come out from. She followed the structure up and it looked to be the ruins of a castle like structure. She saw the hole they came out of, but there was a door not too far away. She went through the door and saw what would have been a grand entrance. She walked over and saw a tapestry that survived the war and showed of a time where a baby dragon saved the people of this place. She recognized this tapestry. It was in their history books. ‘What was this place called again? Crispal….cryisal……Crystal! The Crystal Empire!’ She then realized that her stable must have been under the Crystal Empire. She walked around some more in the entrance and it was pretty much bare except for that tapestry.

Sweet Rose looked over and saw that the first floor only consisted of the entrance, so she climbed another set of stairs and found more rooms. She first found the dining room where part of the room was missing. “Must have been blown away by a blast of some sort.” She spoke aloud to herself. She was starting to get a little creeped out about this place, hearing her voice calmed her. ‘Maybe I should have brought Flutter Shy with me.’ She thought before moving on. She then came to a room that lead out to a balcony. There was another tapestry there, it showed a symbol that she didn’t recognize. She was about to move on when her Pipbuck made a noise. “The Crystal Castle.” Sweet Rose read out loud. “So this was a castle.” She had forgotten all about her Pipbuck until that moment. The fact it was still functioning means that maybe she could find more information about the place.

She sat on her haunches and pressed a few buttons to enable voice search. “Search ‘The Crystal Castle’. Give most recent data.” She talked in her Pipbuck. Her Pipbuck warned her that this could take a while, so she decided to explore some more while she waited.
Sweet Rose moved on and found what looked to be a throne room, the only seat smashed. Looking around, Sweet Rose noticed more tapestries. One depicted a wedding of some sort. Another was just like the one in the entrance way. “Must have been a special moment if there are two of those.” Sweet Rose made note to herself. A third depicted something similar to the one in the previous room, only with more details. A giant ball of ice was on that one being melted by the same baby dragon as the previous tapestry. The next one held a picture of the same ponies in the first tapestry with a small foal with the next one a similar picture with a bigger filly and another small foal. The one filly looked very familiar. She was thinking back about her parents’ dwelling when her Pipbuck made a noise notifying her that it finished its search. Sweet Rose looked at the results and read them out loud.

“The Crystal Castle is the home of Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor, rulers of the empire. It is a huge crystal tower that fires a ribbon of energy into the sky whenever the Crystal Heart at its base is powered by the Crystal Ponies. After the Balefire Bombs hit Canterlot, Splendid Valley, Manehattan, and Fillydelphia, the rulers left and went to go aid in recovery. While away, a Balefire bomb hit the empire in the northwest, flattening the area and damaged other buildings in the surrounding areas. Status of rulers and their family is unknown.” Sweet Rose read aloud. “Well, that sucks, but it also explains why part of the roof in the dining hall was gone.”

Sweet Rose looked around some more on the floor before finding the stairs. As she followed them up, she heard the wind howling outside. “Oh man, I wish I was back at that building with the guys.” She said as she came to the top. It was a hallway that had some skeletons in it. She freaked when she saw them but had to continue on. There were pegasi, Earth, and a few unicorn skeletons scattered about. Sweet Rose opened one room to find it completely gone and looked over to see the next room with only a corner away from the door still intact. Sweet Rose went to another room to find it completely intact with part of the wall missing. She looked around and found pictures. It was of the same ponies on the final tapestry she had looked at, only the second foal was grown up. The room looked coltish, so the second foal must have been a colt. There was one where the stallion and colt were out playing some sport while the mare and filly watched on. It was there Sweet Rose noticed that the mare looked different than the other three, she had wings in addition to her horn.

“Pipbuck, look up ‘unicorns with wings’. Give results in all instances.” Sweet Rose spoke to her Pipbuck. The results came back fairly quickly.

“Alicorn. Alicorns are ponies that have a horn of a Unicorn, wings of a Pegasus, the strength of a god, true heart of an Earth pony. Alicorns are most notably royalty. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna being the most famous. Another Alicorn was Princess Cadance of the Crystal Empire.” Sweet Rose read to herself out loud again. “So your mom was an Alicorn. She must have been an awesome mom.” She spoke to the room like the colt was still there. She looked at the other three only to notice that the stallion was a unicorn like her as well as the filly. The colt was a Pegasus. Sweet Rose looked around the room and noticed that it lacked a skeleton and looked like it hadn’t changed since the bed had been made the morning of the attack. “They must have all been gone that day.”

Sweet Rose made her way back out into the hallway and made her way to the room at the end of the hall. She pushed on the doors but they didn’t budge. Sweet Rose tried again, but still they didn’t budge. Sweet Rose then bucked at the doors and they flew open. “Whoa…” She gasped when she saw that the room was bigger than the other one she found. The bed was nicely made still and was grand. The chandelier was solid crystal and built into the celling. “This must be Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor’s room.” She walked around the room and looked out the giant window in the room. She looked around and noticed a desk in front of the window. It was a long desk that could fit two people working at it, with things sprawled everywhere, comfortably. On the desk was a terminal that Sweet Rose remembered seeing in her mother’s office.

“What’s on this?” She pressed a button and the monitor lit up. It had a few files on it and a message alert. Sweet Rose clicked on it and it opened and the voice came over was male and spoken with a sense of urgency.

“Cadence, if you haven’t left yet, don’t. Go down to Stable 6 and tell our daughter to let you in. It isn’t safe anymore anywhere. Ponyville has taken a hit by the wave from Canterlot. The major cities have been hit and Cloudsdale is closed off from the rest of Equestria. Twily’s place is no longer there in Splendid Valley. I don’t want you to perish my love. Please, if you haven’t left the empire, get down to the Stable. I’ve sent Corduroy to Trotonto. There has been no signs of Radiation there and I sent him there to keep it that way. Cadance….I love you.”

“Princess Cadance must have left before getting that message. And who is Twily?” Sweet Rose asked to the air and decided to look through the drawers. It felt like something called to her in one of the many drawers. After sifting through some drawers, Sweet Rose opened a drawer and found a statue of a mare. The statue said “Be Smart” and held a mare of purple coat, darker purple mane and tail with a pink and another shade of purple stripe. She felt empowered with it and decided to keep it. But something kept bothering her. The stallion in the message said that his and Cadance’s daughter was in Stable 6.

“Pipbuck, can you scan through the history of the Stable?” She asked her device. It gave her an error beep. “Must be because I’m not in the stable anymore. Still holding the statue in her magic, Sweet Rose went back to the monitor and downloaded the files using a cable she found in one of the drawers. There was another message on the monitor that she decided to listen to.

“Princess Cadance, Prince Shining Armor. I’m contacting you as a last resort. Things have gotten bad here in Canterlot. Princess Celestia and I are doing the best we can to keep the Pink Cloud from spreading. I don’t know how much longer we can last. I am begging that you take safety measures in the Crystal Empire.

“Prince Shining Armor, I am hoping you received the package from Applejack’s ministry. Please use the armor to help us. The other Rangers could use a leader like you. You were our best Royal Guard Captain and my sister and I still hold you in that regard. I need to go now, I’m afraid that Canterlot will fall not too much later. Celestia and I can’t hold much longer.”

“The voice must have been Princess Luna.” Sweet Rose said as all the files finished uploading on her Pipbuck. Sweet Rose looked about the room and saw nothing of interest to her, but she decided to look in the closet. Not much was in there. A dress here and there and a set of formal attire for a stallion. There was also a set of armor in the closet, like the armor that was on the skeletons out in the hallway. There was also a set of saddle bags that had a mark on them with a shield like picture with a sparkle sign, like the cutie mark on the statue that she held in her magic, with three stars on the top. “It’s exactly like the stallion’s, Prince Shining Armor’s saddle bags. Might come in handy.” She floated the bags out and put the statue in the bags and bagged a few of the articles of clothing in the closet before placing the saddle bags on her back. Sweet Rose had forgotten all about going back to the stable at this point. She needed to get back to her friends though. She made her way back out of the Castle and saw two ponies coming out of the hole that led down to the Stable. One looked like the ones that attacked the Stable, others soon followed them out.

“You here to finish the job your buddies did?” She ran out with horn glowing and crackling.

“Wha? No…we…..” The mare, a Pegasus, started confused. “We defeated the Rangers that were attackin’ that Stable.”

“What?” Sweet Rose looked at the group in disbelief.

“We defeated the Steel Rangers that were attackin’ Stable 6.” The mare said slowly.

Jewel: The most fashion forward pony in Stable 6. Current Age: 21. In a relationship with: Meadow Lark. Stable Position: Dweller. Stable Job: Barding Designer. Hobby: Hanging out with the girls of the group, going on walks with Meadow Lark in the Farm Floor on Floor 18, designing different bardings for different occasions. What she looks like: Jewel

Chapter 4: Returning to Stable 6

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Chapter 4: Returning to Stable 6

“Um…Riot….um wake up.” Flutter Shy was nudging her friend with her hoof. But when Riot slept, he slept like a rock. She went to Lightning Dash, but he didn’t wake up either. Nopony was waking up and it was starting to make her frustrated. Flutter Shy took a deep breath. “Wake up!” She screamed, but it was more as if she was talking normal. “Oh….I hope Sweetie Rose is ok.” She said looking out the hole in the room.
“Flutter?” A sleepy voice came behind her and it made her squeal and hide her face in terror. “Flutter, it’s just me.” Jewel said coming beside her friend.

“Oh, Jewel.” Flutter Shy said coming out of her ball. “I tried to wake you….but….Sweet Rose hasn’t come back yet from using the restroom. I’m scared….”

“What?” Jewel looked over and noticed no one was on watch. “GUYS!” Jewel shouted, much louder than Flutter Shy managed earlier. The boys jerked awake and the ones that were supposed to be watching looked even more flustered.

“I…uh……..” Riot started.

“No time. Sweet Rose has not come back from using the Fillies Room.” Jewel told them.

“What?” Riot looked around before running outside the building they were in. The rest of the group followed.

“Riot! Wait!” Lightning Dash flew in front of him and stopped him. “Think for a moment of what is on your hoof.” He said pointing down to Riot’s Pipbuck. “We all have them and they apparently still work.” Riot looked down and noticed that his Pipbuck was glowing. Meadow Lark and Jewel looked at each other.

“Oh what he would do for the one he loves.” Jewel whispered to Meadow. He just nodded in agreement.
Riot Shield pressed a few buttons on his Pipbuck and it brought up the exact location of Sweet Rose’s Pipbuck. “Come on. She is near something called the Crystal Castle.” He said before taking off. Lightning followed. Jewel and Flutter Shy weren’t far behind while Meadow Lark brought up the rear.

“No you are lying.” Sweet Rose said to the two front ponies as she readied her horn again.

“Oh dear, you must have escaped that attack.” Another mare said walking up. She was unarmored like the mare that was talking to her.

“You have no proof.” Sweet Rose growled.

“Ya have a Pipbuck on ya. Ye from the Stable.” The first mare spoke again. “Look, we ain’t here t’ kill ya or nothin’. We received a message. A cry fer help.” The brown mare said. Sweet Rose noticed that she had wings like Flutter Shy and Lightning Dash. “When we got down’ere, only a few of them varmints were left.”

“We took them out.” The one that looked like the terrors that attacked her home came forward and spoke.

“Then why don’t I trust you.” Sweet Rose lowered herself more. The brown mare pushed a button on her own Pipbuck and a voice recording was on it. She recognized the voice instantly.

“If anypony is out there, this is Overmare Chrysanthemum. Stable 6 is under attack. We need help. Please hur-”

The voice message was cut off with the same popping sound that she heard that night. It must have been when her mother was shot fatally. Tears welled up in Sweet Rose’s eyes. “Ya see, we ain’t here t’ kill ya. We saved ya.” She said.

“Stay away from her!” a stallion’s voice called from a distance. Sweet Rose didn’t look up when Riot Shield and her friends ran up. “What do you want from her?” Riot took a protective stance in front of her and their friends.

“Riot, they saved the Stable. Leave them be.” Sweet Rose said.

“But…”

“I said leave them be.” Sweet Rose said more commandingly. Riot Shield backed off. Sweet Rose walked forward. “Thank you. Did you have time to assess damages and loss of life while you were down there? Any survivors?”

“Damage is repairable given time and resources, loss of life is in the hundreds if not thousands, and no survivors were seen, but not out of possibility.” An armored unicorn said coming to the front. His armor was the same color as the other two, red. “Given the death toll on the first two floors, I say that there was a 20% survival rate.”

“We didn’t go much farther than floor 8. We didn’t pick up any more Rangers on our scanners.” The earth ranger informed. The Pegasus ranger remained quiet mostly.

“Riot, we need to get back into the Stable. We need to see if there are any survivors and have them sit tight in the Stable until we can find a place for them to live.” Sweet Rose said to the head security pony.

“Yes ma’am.” Riot walked in front of the group.

“Let’s follow them fer now.” Sweet Rose heard the brown mare tell her group. They all went back under the Crystal Castle to the door of Stable 6. There were some dead Steel Rangers laying in their path to the Stable Door. “They dead. Dontcha worry.” The leader mare told the group of Stable dwellers.

“Flutter Shy, I want you and Jewel to stay behind. You both don’t need to see the aftermath.” Lightning Dash told the other two mares.

“I will follow if I want.” Jewel said.

“I’ll stay behind…I…I….” Flutter Shy was starting to cry again when the unarmored stallion of the other group came and put a hoof on Flutter Shy shoulder.

“Now, now. You just quiet on down there little missy. Why don’t Rack and I stay back with her?” The stallion suggested to the lead mare of their group.

“Jewel, stay with Flutter, ok. Just so she has a familiar face.” Sweet Rose suggested to Jewel.

“Oh fine.” Jewel scoffed.

Sweet Rose gasped at the death that she saw. She treaded carefully as she looked around and saw ponies that were just alive days ago. She remembered the announcements of the ponies that were having anniversaries and birthdays, births and Cutiebrations. Sweet Rose walked the halls and made her way to her parents’ dwelling. Riot walked next to her. “Rose, where did you find those Saddle bags?”

“In the castle. I was thinking they suit you more than they suit me.” She levitated them in her magic as he levitated hers. They swapped bags and she floated the few things out of his into hers. “I also found some clothes that we could use at some point. I’ll leave them here though, until we find a new base of operations.” Sweet Rose looked around and found her way to her dwelling. The door slid open. “Good to know that there is power.” She said as she noticed her room was fairly untouched. She opened her closet and threw the dresses into it. She looked around and saw a picture of her father, Princey. She placed that picture in her saddle bags and then floated a picture of her mother, step-father, and half-brother into her saddle bags. “Riot, can you take me to where they are.” She tried to hide the pain in seeing her dead family.

“Come this way.” He said. He led her back down the hallway towards her mother’s dwelling. “Are you sure you want to see them like this?” He asked.

“Yes.” Sweet Rose steeled herself to expect what they might look like. Riot opened the door and led her in. Sweet Rose walked through the door and just stood there. Her brother was just about to have his Cutiebration and there he was, lying there. She slowly walked over and nudged her brother in a sign of apology that she couldn’t protect him from this. “Riot, take Meadow and one of those…things…and go below floor 8. Check every floor for life.” She told Riot.

“Rose, I’d rather stay with you.” Riot tried to insist.

“And do you think our fellow dwellers would believe Meadow or Lightning that those red things aren’t a threat?” Sweet Rose walked over to him. “Riot, if I didn’t think that our ponies would believe every word that came out of our Head Security Pony, I wouldn’t send you.” She placed a hoof on his cheek. “Please Riot. I’m not going to move from here and plus the other group is around.”

“Ok.” A smiled came to Riot’s face the first time since the party. “Wait for me?”

“Of course.” Sweet Rose smiled and then watched as Riot left the dwelling. As soon as she couldn’t hear his hoof beats, she broke down.

Riot Shield and Meadow Lark, along with an armored unicorn, who said that his name was Springtrap when the two introduced themselves to him, went down to floor 9. No life was detected, but there wasn’t any bodies there either. “Let’s get to floor 17.” Riot told the team. They nodded as they filed back into the elevator and went down to the second to lowest, livable floor.

“I’m picking up life on the floors we are passing.” Springtrap informed.

“What floor was it that you started seeing life?” Meadow asked.

“Floor 11.” Springtrap told them. Riot hit a few buttons on the elevator controls and reversed the car to go back up.

“Springtrap, it might be best if you let me and Meadow lead out.” Riot turned to the red Ranger. “They might freak if they saw another thing like you.

“I’m an Applejack Ranger. I am for the innocent ponies that have been wronged by the Steel Rangers.” Springtrap said.

“Applejack Ranger?” Riot asked.

“I can explain later. Life detected.” Springtrap canvased the floor with his scanner. “All huddled in one central location. Scanner says cafeteria. No active signs of Steel Ranger activity.” Riot left the car first as the doors opened.

“Meadow, go down to the next floor with spring trap and scan to see if this is the same. If so, go take count.” Riot continued forward as he heard an audible ‘Got it’ from Meadow Lark. He made his way cautiously to the Cafeteria in the center of the floors wings. The lower floors were differently set up than the first 4 floors where the auditorium was the center of those floors. The doors slid open to the cafeteria and the ponies in there sighed in relief when they saw Riot Shield, their head security pony.

Meadow Lark and Springtrap made it to floor 12 and walked to the cafeteria. As Riot Shield had suspected, Springtrap made the ponies uproar in fear.

“Hey everypony! It’s cool. He’s a good guy. Riot Shield approved him. So did Sweet Rose!” He shouted and they continued to panic. Meadow clicked a button and sent Riot Shield a message saying that he needed him down there stat.

Receiving his message, Riot shield couldn’t leave the current floor. “Listen Fillies and Gentlecolts, I know this may sound weird, but in the top floors are some Rangers that are good ponies. They came here, out of their way, and saved you all from further destruction. I advise you, with approval of the Overmare, to stay on this floor and live your everyday lives. If there are any of my Security Ponies down here, I need you front and center by the elevators.” He said and made his way to the door. “Wait there for my return.”

Riot Shield left the room and galloped back to the elevator and went down a floor and galloped to the Cafeteria. There he saw the room in chaos. “EVERYPONY CALM DOWN!” He boomed and the ponies listened. “Meadow, you and Springtrap keep going. And Springtrap, do hang back this time. Meadow, make note on your Pipbuck of numbers. 180 on floor 11.” Riot Shield then turned to the ponies in the cafeteria. “As you saw, we have some Rangers here still, but those rangers are not like the ones that attacked us. These are good Rangers.” Riot Shield started. “I advise you, with approval of the Overmare, to stay on this floor and live your everyday lives. Any Security Ponies needs to go to the Elevators and wait for my return there.”

Riot Shield left back to the Elevator and continued on down the floors with Meadow Lark and Springtrap ahead taking count.

After a while, Lightning Dash came out of the stable. “Jewel, I can stay here if you want to go get some things from your dwelling.” He landed next to Flutter Shy. “Just be warned that it’s not pretty.” Lightning Dash warned.

“Whatever, darling.” Jewel said walking into the Stable and ran back out in moments. “Never mind. I don’t need the things that bad.” She said as she plopped herself on the ground next to Flutter Shy.

“Is there anything you need me to get?” Lightning Dash asked the both of them.

“Um…I would like my saddle bags.” Flutter Shy said quietly.

“Mine too please.” Jewel said as Lightning Dash flew back into the stable.

Sweet Rose sniffed as she dried her tears. She looked around the common room to see if there was anything that she wanted to take. She saw a necklace that her mother had that held her and her little brother in the locket part. She floated it over and placed it on her neck. She turned around to leave and saw one of those red Rangers. She yelp in surprise. “Haven’t you heard of letting somepony know you are behind them?” She chastised as she walked towards the Ranger.

“You were crying. I didn’t think you wanted to be interrupted.” It was a female voice. “You will have to be tougher than that to survive out there in the Wasteland. At this point, you won’t last a night down there. Just be lucky that not many Raiders or Slavers want to come north.” Sweet Rose scoffed and walked passed her. That is when she noticed that this Ranger was a Pegasus.

“Nice to meet you too.” Sweet Rose said as she pushed her way past the Ranger.

“Seabee.” The Ranger said. “My name is Seabee. But normally you should have been the one to introduce yourself first.” Seabee shot at Sweet Rose.

“Sweet Rose. Current Overmare of Stable 6.” Sweet Rose shot back. “You know, instead of just chastising us, you should teach us how. After all, we have only ever known the Stable. Now it is gone.”

“Sweet….I mean Overmare.” A stallion’s voice came from behind Sweet Rose at this point.

“Riot, please, just call me Sweet Rose like you normally would.” Sweet Rose said turning around.

“Uh….ok. I am here to report that there are only 2205 ponies left in the stables. Floor 15 had the most ponies at 1000. I have led some of them to the other floors to even it out to the floor max of 200, but we are still overflowing. I was hoping we could clean up the top floors so we can spread them out some.” He asked as there was a group of Security Ponies behind him that were at awe at all the death they saw.

“Approved. My family is buried though. I….I just can’t……” Sweet Rose felt the tears again and turned away from Riot Shield. “How many of each group is left?”

“There are only 2 Elders left. They were out of the Elder Wing that night to spend the time with their families. There are 1004 mares and 1201 stallions. 300 of the mares are fillies and 280 of stallions are colts. The totals include the Elders but does not include me, you, or the rest of our friends.” Riot Shield said.

“Only a little over a third of our population is left.” Sweet Rose was able to compose herself enough. “Riot, take me to the Overmare office.” She said. “Then get the Security Ponies, Lightning, Meadow, and the other group to help take the dead…down…..” Sweet Rose was about to lose it again, but she gained her composure. “Leave my family where they lie for now.”

“Yes ma’am.” Riot stood to attention. Riot turned to the group of Security Ponies. “You heard the Overmare. Take them down to Floor 19. Blue Shield, Smitty, you here?” Riot called out after locating their Pipbucks.

“Right here sir!” Blue Shield said while supporting a wounded Smitty. “Blue Shield and Smitten Break reporting for duty.”

“Oh good.” Sweet Rose breathed out. Smitty was one of her favorite guards, aside from the Head Security Pony himself, Riot Shield.

“I want you two to lead the process of, laying to rest the dead.” Riot watched as his two Door guards gave their best salutes before hobbling off to the elevator. “Shall we?” He looked to Sweet Rose. Sweet Rose walked beside Riot as they made their way away from the death around her parents’ dwelling. “Rosie...” Riot galloped in front of her. “Don’t ever, and I mean ever, run off like that. I…I wouldn’t know what I would do if something were to have happened.” Riot looked the most vulnerable than Sweet Rose has ever seen him.

“Oh Riot,” She placed a hoof on his cheek. “I just couldn’t sit back while our stable was being attacked. I had to do something.” Sweet Rose lowered her hoof. “But I’m glad you came for me.” Sweet Rose locked her head underneath his in a snuggle-like manner. She then took a step back and walked around. “I need to talk to my people. I know my mother always did the announcements in her office.” Sweet Rose began to walk towards her mother’s, no, her own office. As they arrived, Sweet Rose noticed the terminal on her desk was on.

“That’s strange.” Riot said inspecting the door leading to the Security Wing.

“Go Riot, see if they left that wing untouched.” Sweet Rose said. She watched as Riot left. Sweet Rose immediately felt like running and following Riot, not because she was scared, but because without his prescence, she felt empty. But, she had to put that aside. Her mother’s old terminal was on and it looked like somepony was trying to access it. They didn’t succeed because they couldn’t crack the encryption on this terminal. Made sense. Sweet Rose was quite handy at hacking her mother’s terminal when she wasn’t looking.

Hooking up her Pipbuck to the Terminal, Sweet Rose heard a female voice. “So ya this stable’s Overmare?” It was the brown Pegasus from before. Sweet Rose was able to analyze this mare now. She was built like Lightning Dash was and wore a cowpony hat. What intrigued Sweet Rose was the Pegasus’s cutie mark. Her Pipbuck gave a beep telling her that she finished hacking into the terminal.

“You’re a musician?” Sweet Rose asked.

“Yes ma’am. Musica is th’ name, ‘n’ singin’ is my game.” The mare, now identified as Musica, introduced. “An’ ye are?”

“Sweet Rose. Was Overmare in training, but in light of what has happened, current Overmare.” Sweet Rose introduced. “The unicorn that accompanied me was Riot Shield, Head Security Pony.” As Sweet Rose said his name, Riot Shield appeared.

“I can’t believe it, this wing is untouched and the 5 security officers only had speculations of what occurred out here. They hunkered down when the alarm went off.” Riot Shield said and then realized that the two mares were conversing.

“That’s Riot Shield?” Musica had asked.

“Yes Ma’am. My number one supporter and Head Security Pony.” Sweet Rose responded. Riot was thoroughly lost. “I was introducing ourselves. This is Musica.”

“Co-lead pony of our small group.” One of the red Rangers walked in. It was the earth pony Ranger. “I would be the other one.”

“And you are?” Riot Shield stood protectively in front of Sweet Rose.

“Steel Rain. Applejack Ranger.” The Red Ranger, now named Steel Rain, introduced himself. Sweet Rose placed a hoof on Riot’s shoulder.

“It is nice to meet you Steel Rain.” She walked around Riot and approached the two.

“Somethin’ has been botherin’ me. Any of ya know how t’ use one of ‘ese?” Musica asked. Sweet Rose and Riot looked to each other.

“No. We don’t have any of those things here in the stable. What are they?” Riot Shield asked Musica taking the strange object that the mare had in her mouth into his magic. He looked it over. “What is it?”

“A gun.” Steel Rain said without difference.

“What does it do?” Sweet Rose walked next to Riot Shield and looked it over with him. Sweet Rose started punching things into her Pipbuck to find out about the object.

“It helps ya protect yerself.” Musica chimed in. “Do ya know how t’ use it?”

“No.” Sweet Rose and Riot Shield said in unison.

“Then ya’ll gunna have t’ learn. An’ we startin’ now.” Musica said.

“Not right now. I gotta make an announcement.” Sweet Rose told them walking back around the desk. “And I have to find out why somepony was trying to hack into my mother’s terminal. It still had its encryption so I don’t think that they were able to get what is on this terminal.” Riot Shield made his way next to Sweet Rose.

“This is strange.” Riot Shield looked at the document that was up. “What could this mean?”

“I don’t know. But it’s not good.”

Meadow Lark: The party stallion that will do his best to make you laugh. Current Age: 25. In a Relationship with: Jewel. Stable Position: Dweller. Stable Job: Party planner. Hobby: going on walks with Jewel in the Farm Floor on Floor 18, hanging out with the guys of the group, planning parties. What he looks like: Meadow Lark

Chapter 5: Learning to Fight

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Chapter 5: Learning to Fight

"Indications of Life:
In recent hours, there has been a spontaneous indications of life above our stable. Without the knowledge of my loyal Head Security Pony, Riot Shield, I have sent a guard pony outside the stable to confirm or deny the existence of life outside of our Stable. I normally wouldn't have done this without his knowledge, but....let’s say I have had some doubts in him recently. Not for his job, he does wonderful at it, but in his judgement. Just tonight, my daughter wanted to see the Security Wing. I had expected Riot Shield to not let my daughter insist on wanting to see that wing right now. She wasn't ready. But I can't complain all too much. After all, he is the only unicorn that my daughter has shown interest in. Anyways, the life above has been shown......"

Sweet Rose had to stop reading because the look on Riot's face was too much for her to ignore. Her own mother was starting to have doubts in Riot Shield in the last hours of her life. "Why mother?" Sweet Rose whispered. Riot looked like a lost pony.

"The Over..mare...." Riot couldn't believe what he had heard. Everything that came after he heard about how the former Overmare had doubts in his judgement fell on deaf ears. Riot was in shock about this revelation. He sat back on his haunches trying to grasp at anything to have it make any sense to him.

"Riot...if my mother really had any lapse in your judgement, why would she task you to protect me?" Sweet Rose tried to make sense for him.

"If I have anything to say, I say she is right. Not arming yourself properly is a lapse in judgement." The armored Pegasus came in with the rest of the group behind her.

"Now, now Seabee," Musica started. "We jus' met 'em. No need t' git harsh."

"No. They need to hear it. They are under prepared for that world and I am not going to sit by as they go chasin' some dream and think that the world is like this." Seabee spoke her mind. Meadow and Lightning walked in after the group at this point.

"Now you listen here." Sweet Rose moved from behind the desk. "Just because we invite you here into our stable doesn't give you the right to say my mother was right. If you knew my mother, she had nothing but praise for Riot Shield. She always turned to him even for the smallest thing because she could trust he would deal with it in a quiet manner and not get the whole Stable involved when they didn't need to be. So if you want to come in here and start spouting about things you don't even know about, then get the hell out, because we don't need that." When Sweet Rose was finished, she was looking at Seabee through her helmet, not even caring of how frightening the armored Pegasus looked. "Now, if you want to put actions to your words, teach us, and I mean teach us until you have nothing left to teach. And don't just go judging us because we were born in the stable. This is the only life we knew of and had no idea that there was a whole other world outside the stable door until just now. Teach us like we are equals. And if you can't, then I don't want you around."

Musica and the rest of her group could only stare at the unicorn mare that stood up to Seabee. It was then that they noticed that Seabee, who normally wasn't easily moved, had taken a few steps back. Riot looked over to Sweet Rose in surprise while Lightning and Meadow could only look at each other. Seabee smirked in her helmet. "Heh, you got guts filly. No pony has stood up like that to me." Seabee's stature took a more relaxed form. "Alright, if Musica agrees, I say we train you in guns." Seabee looked over to Musica.

"Already planned on it." Musica smiled.

"Attention, attention. This is your new Overmare. I, Sweet Rose, promise that I will find a way where we can be safe again. If you have not been informed yet, we have had a horrible tragedy that has struck our Stable. Just under two thirds of our fellow ponies have lost their lives in a massacre that has befallen our slice of peace and Paradise. Among those that we have lost is our former Overmare, my mother, Chrysanthemum. Many ponies have lost their lives in this tragedy. Many of you must have had family that were in floors One through floor Ten. Trust me when I say I am grieving alongside of you. But we need to be strong and survive while we can. I swear to you, as Overmare, I will find a place where we can call home again may it be here with more protection, or a new location all together. I urge you to stay in the lower levels of the Stable. But if need be, please venture up to the upper levels. They have been cleaned up from the tragedy that had befallen them.

"Here me now my fellow ponies. Riot Shield and I, along with Meadow Lark, Lightning Dash, Flutter Shy, and Jewel will be out beyond the door. To all you fillies and colts, do not consider my friends and I leaving the stable as a chance to follow our lead. The world is supposedly dangerous and you are encouraged to stay in. To help deter anyone following, Floor One will be closed off from use. The only ponies with access will be administration level clearance.

"You all may be wondering why I would leave you all to your own defenses if I am now the new Overmare. Trust me, this position will not be left empty. When I have decided who will temporarily take my place as Vice Overmare, I will return to announce it. For now, live your lives as normal until we can reveal who has perished. Thank you."

Sweet Rose sighed as she turned off the mic. That announcement just wore her out. "So, we agree that you will teach us right here in this land called The Crystal Empire. Am I correct?"

"Darn righ'. An' Ah promise ya tha' ya'll know how t' defend yerself by th' end of it." Musica said. She had started walking out of the office. Her group followed, and then Sweet Rose and her small group. "If Ah wasn' sure tha' this could help ya, Ah wouldn' have stuck 'round."

"I call dibs on teaching Pansy Pony here." Seabee pointed to Sweet Rose.

"It's Sweet Rose." Sweet Rose said through clenched teeth.

"Oh yeah? Well you're a Pansy Pony to me." Seabee looked directly in Sweet Rose's eyes through her helmet. "Think you got what it takes to keep up with my teachings?"

"You are on." Sweet Rose smirked.

"Um....Rosie?" Riot was walking behind her with his ears back. He still didn't feel confident about himself at the moment.

"What Riot?" Rose didn't take her eyes off Seabee.

"I...I think I should stay here, take care of the Stable." The doubt in his voice was still present. Sweet Rose sighed and peeled her eyes away from Seabee.

"Riot, I need you by my side. So what if my mother really doubted you. I don't. I trust my life in your hooves and I always have and always will until the day we no longer walk our paths. So whatever negative thoughts you have, don't listen to them. You are my best friend and someone I care about. I can't leave you behind." Sweet Rose placed a hoof on his cheek and that was received with a smile. "Now, what can I trust you to do?" Sweet Rose grinned.

"To protect and serve the Overmare." Riot stood at attention, back to his normal self.

"Good. Now I think we are ready." Sweet Rose looked over to Lightning Dash and Meadow Lark. "Right?"

"Right." The two stallions said in unison.

***

“Do you think that they are ok?” Flutter Shy asked.

“Oh trust me. Musica won’t let anything happen to your friends.” The female that was beside them answered.

“We never got your names darlings.” Jewel realized.

“I’m Fashpoint.” Flashpoint stood up and puffed out his chest. The mare comically pushed his chest back in.

“Down boy.” The mare smiled. “The name’s Racquetta, but you can just call me Racquet.” Racquet smiled and held a hoof to the shy pony.

“Um…hi. I’m….I’m Flutter Shy.” The shy mare spoke softly.

“What was that Little Missy?” Flashpoint leaned his head in close.

“Eeep!” Flutter Shy ran behind Jewel.

“Oh forgive her. I’m Jewel and this shy pony is Flutter Shy.” Jewel held out a hoof. Flashpoint looked at it before shaking it fast, and hard. “THAT IS NOT HOW YOU GREET A LADY!” Jewel snatched her hoof away before connecting it to his cheek and sending him flying. Racquet could only laugh.

“Oh dear, who got my Jewels mad?” Meadow Lark asked running out first.

“The grimy guy shook my hoof all….manly. Not delicately!” Jewel shouted appalled. Meadow Lark looked wide eyed before laughing. Sweet Rose and Riot Shield, followed by the rest of Racquet and Flashpoint’s team, Sweet Rose laughed along with Meadow Lark. “It’s true! It’s horrible. Stop laughing!”

“Jewels. We believe you. It’s just….his face.” Sweet Rose laughed. Jewel spun around and looked at Flashpoint. Horror was all over his face.

“Flash, y’ alrigh'?” Musica asked walking up.

“She is scarry. Are we going to train them?” Flashpoint asked overhearing Seabee bragging she was training the Overmare to Racquet.

“Yes. They need to know how to defend themselves. The leader there has it in her mind to travel around to find either help or a place for her people to live. Since the boys agree, I am sure that the other two girls will tag along.” Steel Rain informed.

“Yeah. And I am training the Overmare.” Seabee bragged again. “Steel Rain already wants to train Riot Shield.” Seabee smiled under her helmet. “Who you gonna train?”

“Not HER!” Flashpoint ran over to Meadow Lark and raised Meadow’s hoof. "I'll teach him!" Flashpoint nearly jumped when Meadow Lark snatched his arm away and glared at him. Flashpoint gave a nervous smile to him which made Meadow Lark laugh.

"Hey, I don't mind." Meadow smiled as Flashpoint started laughing too. The two bro hoofed and smiled.

"Now, Ah know ya'll have th' ones ye wanna teach. But Ah think it best if we train th' ones that're like us. Meanin' Unicorns train unicorns. Fer a while at least. 'Til they git th' basics." Musica told everyone.

"I agree." Steel Rain walked up to Seabee. "Training ones of our own type is crucial. We know what works best for our kind. It's easier for me to teach an earth pony than teaching a unicorn." Seabee pouted that she wasn't going to teach Sweet Rose right away and Steel Rain placed a hoof on her armored shoulder.

"Down here isn't the ideal location. There is a location not to far from here that is wide open." Springtrap was making his way towards the stairs.

"Then lets get started!" Lightning Dash flew towards the opening and then out.

"Not quick enough!" Racquet yelled at Sweet Rose. Sweet Rose was training on using her magic to reload a gun. Sweet Rose hadn't really done something that fast before and it was taking her some time to get used to it. "You need to be faster."

"Can we take a break, I'm getting mentally exhausted." Sweet Rose was starting to notice herself panting heavier than she was earlier.

"Sorry, but the Wasteland doesn't give breaks." Racquet grabbed the gun that Sweet Rose had set down and floated it up in front of Sweet Rose's face. "Again."

"You need to increase your power by 75%. Focus your mind on the easy motion of the trigger pulling and the gun will fire." Springtrap had Riot Shield with him trying to help the Head Security Pony tap into his protective side.

"So I just need to think that this thing is part of myself?" Riot asked. The gun levitated in his telekinetic grasp aimed at a cement wall that was about 50 feet away.

"Yep. Of course since I joined the Applejack rangers, I haven't had to really use these techniques. But I still feel the same with my weapons now as I did then, without my armor. Pretending that the gun is another part of your body lets you focus on what you would do if you had to help that limb move with your magic." Springtrap fiddles with his helmet and it dropped off when he lowered his head. His horn glowed with a blue aurora that matched his eye color. He floated a spare gun in front of him to demonstrate how the gun can become like second nature with enough practice.

"Am I holding this right?" Meadow Lark looked over to Flashpoint. Meadow was holding a gun in his mouth, his tongue on the trigger.

"I'd say you are. Now pull the trigger toward you." Flashpoint pointed back towards the target that he had set up with some of the rubble.

"How?" Meadow Lark tried lightly moving his tongue around the trigger and it didn't move. He started to get worried.

"Pretend you are pulling something with your tongue. Make sure it's a hard pull." Flashpoint demonstrated with a gun of his own. Meadow looked horrified when the gun went off.

"Does it hurt?" Meadow walked over to Flashpoint.

"It will at first, but these guns are built to be used in the mouth like that. So a tip, don't bite so hard on it. Just bite down hard enough to hold it firm." Flashpoint smiled and set the gun down. He smiled to Meadow Lark. "Your turn."

"But I don't wanna put that nasty thing in my mouth!" Jewel shouted. Steel Rain had taken off his helmet to help Jewel learn how hold it, but she was being stubborn, as usual. Steel Rain could only sigh.

"Ms. Jewel, if you want to survive, then you must." Steel Rain tried to insist.

"Couldn't there be something else that I can use? That thing is disgusting." Jewel pushed the gun that was in front of her away. Steel Rain could only facehoof.

"Ms. Jewel. I honestly can tell you that if you don't at least learn, I advise that you stay behind." Steel Rain put his foot down.

"Well that isn't going to happen." Jewel said tossing a piece of hair out of her face.

"Then pick up that gun and learn." Steel Rain pointed with his hoof.

"But...but...but" Jewel pouted. But Steel Rain didn't waiver in his stance. Jewel scoffed and picked up the gun.

"Fly faster an' higher. Gain yer speed an' don' hesitate." Musica called out to Lightning. She followed his movements from the air. In the distance, she and Seabee had set up a giant aerial target for both Lightnjng Dash and Flutter Shy. So far, only Lightning had hit it, barely. "Ya need t' keep yer speed at uh high speed 'n order not t' gig hit.

"Got it." Lightning flew higher with the gun in his mouth. He started to do a dive bomb and shot at the target.

"Tha's it! Keep it up!" Musica praised Lightning. Lightning did about four more of those runs when the gun started to run out of ammo.

"Hey Musica! My gun is about out! How would I change ammo?" Lightning looked at the gun in his hooves. He couldn't tell how to change the ammo cartridge that Musica gave to him before they had started.

"Cum down 'ere an' Ah'll show ya." Musica motioned for him to follow here to the ground. Lightning looked over towards Flutter Shy's direction before flying towards the ground. There, Musica had taken a gun of hers off of the rig that she was wearing and lightning just noticed.

"What's that?" Lightning pointed to the rig.

"It called uh battle saddle. Keep up th' good work an' Ah migh' teach ya." Musica smiled. She then started to show Lightning how to change the cartridge. "Now, ya have t' press this butt'n with yer teeth. Th' clip shuld pop righ' out. 'less yer flyin', use yer wing t' switch it. Ah found it eas'r tha' way."

"Got it." Lightning looked over again. "I wonder how Flutter is holding up?"

"Will you stop shying away from me!" Seabee was getting frustrated at the mare. Every time she tried to encourage the yellow pegasus, she kept scooting away. Flutter Shy kept whimpering. Seabee scoffed. "Come on. You wanna be killed?" Flutter Shy looked on the verge of tears. "You are if you don't get it together!" That was the tipping point.

Seabee stood there mouth open as the shy pegasus ran away crying. Growling, Seabee took to the air and caught up to the crying mare. "Crying like that is only going to get you killed. Man up." But it only made the crying worse and Flutter ran faster. As she ran past the others, everyone watched her. Jewel wanted to run after her, anything to get her out of this, but Steel Rain stopped that motion with a look. The others had similar way. Seabee looked around for Flutter Shy.

Flutter had found a small flower that was a crystal flower, looked like it had been the first to spring up after the war. Flutter was stroking the petals gently examining it as it was calming her down. "There, there. You shouldn't be alone." Flutter was sniffing the flower and didn't notice Seabee looking down at her. And much to her anger, Seabee landed right on the flower.

"Get up and come back." Seabee demanded. She expected the shy mare to shy away again, but Seabee nearly jumped out of her armor.

"How dare you." Flutter Shy said softly at first. "HOW DARE YOU! That little flower had just sprung up after all this destruction and you had the nerve to crush it! You should be ashamed of yourself! I should just buck you until you cry uncle!" Flutter Shy was hovering and driving Seabee backwards. "Not only that, but you have the nerve to push something on me in a forceful way just as you forced yourself on that delicate flower!" The quite mare was getting louder. "AND IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH, YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO ORDER ME AROUND!" Flutter's friends were shaking their heads as Seabee's teammates were surprised. Flutter Shy grabbed a gun close by and started chasing Seabee around, firing it at her in anger.

As she drew near, Riot Shield and Sweet Rose grabbed Flutter Shy in the telekinetic grasp and pulled the gun away from her. "Flutter Shy calm down." Sweet Rose said as Riot brought Flutter Shy close enough to Sweet Rose to grasp on to. Flutter Shy shook her head and realized everyone was looking at her. She gave her squeak and buried her head into Sweet Rose, embarrassed.

Seabee walked up to Flutter Shy. "Hey come on. Use that anger to your advantage. You can learn to use a gun yet." Flutter Shy looked up into a smiling Seabee, who had taken off her helmet.

After the events with Flutter Shy, the two groups spent time learning all they could. Eventually, the sun set and it was getting dark. "Alrigh' everypony. 'nough fer th' day!" Musica called out.

"I'm starvin'!" Flashpoint called out.

"Riot." Sweet Rose ran over. "We should invite them to a meal in the stable."

"But Rose....what would the ponies say?" Riot was concerned about the Applejack Rangers.

"Listen, it is evident that they can remove that armor. We can see if they can remove the armor long enough to get a bite to eat." Sweet Rose looked over to the others. "Plus we owe them."

"Right." Riot looked over and smiled. "Hey Musica, can you come over here?" Riot motioned the lead pegasus over. Musica flew over and landed in front of the two.

"Musica, we were wondering if you and your group would like a nice hearty meal from our stable tonight. It's as a thank you for teaching us." Sweet Rose smiled.

"Ah don' know. It fine wit' me." She smiled.

"But there is one condition." Riot started.

"An' tha' is?" Musica's ears perked.

"The rangers have to remove their armor before going down to Floor 11. We are only concerned that, even though we have told our fellow dwellers that these ponies mean no harm, some might still be afraid." Riot Shield's voice was filled with concern.

"Ah'll talk t' Steel Rain, see wha' he says." Musica walked over to Steel Rain. The two looked like they were discussing for awhile.

"Aw man, we totally offended them." Sweet Rose threw back her ears and sat back on her flank. "Maybe we should go searching for food. I mean, we can't be dependent on the Stable forever." Sweet Rose was feeling down. She watched as Musica came back over with Steel Rain in tow.

"We will take off our armor for one night only." Steel Rain responded. "But you all need to learn how to scavenge and use what you find."

"Rodger." Riot Shield smiled.

Sweet Rose entered the cafeteria on Floor 11 first. Jewel's mom ran up to Jewel when she walked in after Sweet Rose. There were some other reunions that happened as well. Sweet Rose just sat there watching smiling for her friends. Riot's dad was there, Lightning's parents were both there, Flutter's aunt and cousin were there, Jewel's mom and sister, and Meadow's whole family. Musica walked in with her group following her. She noticed that the Overmare was sitting by herself. "Ya alrigh'?" Musica asked. Sweet Rose wiped a tear away.

"Yeah. It's nice that my friends still have family around." Sweet Rose sniffed and then led the group over to get some food. "It might not look like much, but it is filling in the end, and you are free to get more if you want." She told Musica's group. She studied the three that were in armor moments before. They looked different that she thought. But what surprised her was that the dwellers on this floor took them right in and started talking to them.

Sweet Rose found her a nice table in the back that was alone. She hoped that her friends stayed with their families. They were going on a long journey and won't see them in a long while. Fiddling with her Pipbuck, Sweet Rose pulled up the picture of her family. She missed them so much. She was paying more attention to the picture and jumped when the sound of trays joined her. It was her friends. "Guys, you shouldn't have to sit with me."

"But we want to darling." Jewel smiled but frowned when Sweet Rose shook her head.

"No, go sit with your families. Spend time with them. You won't see them for a long while. Plus, after what happened, you should cherish these moments." Sweet Rose shooed them away. They all left, all but Riot. "Go on Riot, you too. I'm fine, really." But Riot still sat there.

"No. My family isn't complete. Not yet. I insist you come sit with me and my father. I don't like it when you are alone." Riot kicked the floor a little.

"Ok." Sweet Rose smiled and followed Riot over to the table and joined him and his father. They all ate with peace and enjoyed themselves for the time being.

Musica and Sweet Rose walked with each other after dinner. The two groups thought it be best to spend that night in the stable. The next day, Riot and Springtrap was going to repair the hole that led down to the stable to hide it again from being detected before officially leaving. "My problem is determining somepony to take my place as Overmare while we are away. Someone who won't go all power hungry."

"Ya know, th' group an' Ah have been travelin' fer some time. Some times it's better t' just put it in th' han's of sumone ya trust and hope fer th' best." Musica stopped in front of the dwelling that her group was borrowing for the night. "Ah know ye got sumone li'e tha' in mind."

"Yeah. Thanks Musica. Good night." Sweet Rose smiled and ran off to her office. She had a certain pony to contact.

Flutter Shy: The shy pony that everypony loves. Current Age: 22. Off and On with: Lightning Dash. Stable Position: Dweller. Stable Job: Assistant Farm Pony. Hobby: Working the farm on Floor 18, being with Jewel and Sweet Rose, not doing anything physical. What she looks like: Flutter Shy

Chapter 6: Leaving

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Chapter 6: Leaving

"Sunshine, Sunshine, Ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake." The Overmare jingle rang through out the stable around breakfast the next morning. Moments later, Sweet Rose's voice came through the speaker.

"Good morning Stable 6. This is your Overmare, Sweet Rose. As you know, we had a terrible tragedy that struck our stable. We have the names of those who perished. They will momentarily will be sent to your Pipbucks for you to look over. Many families were separated during that time and just know, if you don't see your loved one on that list, they might be on another floor. Security Staff is armed with all the names of everyone on each Floor. I must apologize for the disabled use of your locators. We had to turn them off to do our consensus. Over the next few days, this will be restored.

"I also want to let you know that our Head Security Pony, Riot Shield, as appointed a new Head to take his place while we find resources for our Stable. Your new Head Security Pony is Blue Shield. He has requested Smitten Break to be his Vice head. Any security issues or problems that may arise should be directed to them.

"I will announce shortly about the next Overmare, but first I want to announce normal announcements. Scoots and his sister, Loosie, will have their Cutiebrations on their normal day, Spring 78. Sweetie Song will have her's on Spring 80 and Flower Bloom will have hers on Spring 88. We have the wedding of Primrose and Blue Badge on Spring 90 and the next day, Summer 1, we have Nurse Care Heart and Doctor Heart String having their 19th wedding anniversary. Scoots and Loosie will have their birthday celebration on Summer 3. Now, let us take this moment to have a time of silence for all of the ponies that lost their lives in the tragic attack. Be in mind for any remaining family."

The room was silent as some of the mares cried silently for the loss. The silence lasted for a minute or two before Sweet Rose inhaled to mark the end of the silence.

"Now, as promised, I will announce who the new Overmare is.

"While I was trying to decide, this pony kept coming to mind. This pony has been loyal to the previous Overmare for as long as I can remember and this pony's son has done the same when the pony retired. This pony has agreed to come out of retirement to lead this stable in my stead. And I trust this pony will do as I would in certain situations. After all, I have known him my whole life. Fillies and Gentlecolts, I present your new Overstallion, Justice Shield!

"I know Mr. Shield will run this stable as I would. I trust him with my whole conscious that he will not disappoint me if I would return. Now, just because he is a stallion doesn't mean he can't be in this position. I have looked through all the history texts of this stable, and in the past, there have been a few Overstallions and the Stable still ran proper. I trust you will make Justice Shield feel welcome as the new Overstallion. His role is effective immediately following this announcement."

Sweet Rose got quiet for a moment.

"Stable 6, my friends and I promise to return to this stable. We must go on this journey to locate resources, be it a new place to live, or find resources to repair our door and reseal it properly. As I stated before, Floor One will be sealed off from anyone under Administration level. This is to prevent anypony trying to follow us. Stable 6, I, Overmare Sweet Rose, bid you all a farewell until my return. Please, live normal lives while we are gone. You all will be in our thoughts as we travel."

"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake" The Overmare jungle faded out as the announcement ended.

Riot Shield was in the Floor Two cafeteria with the rest of his friends during the announcement. There have been a good amount of families that came up already to escape the overcrowding in the lower floors. Riot Shield was a proud son to hear his father was taking over the role of Overmare....well Overstallion. And it was actually his father who suggested Blue Shield, Riot's cousin, to take the position as Head Security Pony. Meadow Lark looked over to Riot and noticed him smiling. "Somepony is a proud pony." Meadow smiled.

"Of course, being the Overstallion is an honor for my father! After all, I think Sweet Rose made the wise choice of choosing him, not just because he is my father, but because he knows the most about what the Overmare does. I chose my cousin because I know he would do a great job in my position. Smitten Break was a bonus." Riot Shield couldn't help but continue to smile.

"Hasn't Smitten Break been on since the time of your father as Head?" Lightning Dash asked.

"If my memory serves me, I believe he was." Flutter Shy chimed in. Training with Seabee has toughened the shy mare some.

"Yes. Smitty has been on since my father's time. I used to call him Uncle Smitty. He should be close to retirement though. I'm surprised that he is choosing to stay on." Riot Shield said as the speaker livened up again.

"Attention Stable 6. This is your Overstallion, Justice Shield. I want to announce that at 10:00 this morning, there will be an official funeral for Overmare Chrysanthemum, Dust Shower, and young Flax Seed down on Floor 18. Overmare Sweet Rose has asked us to bury her family out of respect. I agree with her. The ceremony will be held over the screens in the Cafeterias as the floor can only hold 200 ponies. Sweet Rose and I have selected the 200 ponies that will be allowed on that floor. A message should be sent momentarily after the list of the perished ponies. Thank you."

"Seems like your father is adjusting into his role quite well." Jewel noted.

"Yep." Riot smiled and a uniform notice came on everypony's Pipbuck. It was the list of the deceased. Riot Shield sighed. He looked around and watched as his friends looked through the list. He didn't need to, he helped compose it. Flutter Shy started crying again when she read the name of her father and mother. Riot wrapped a hoof around her shoulder to comfort her. "They went fast. I know they did." Riot comforted Flutter. She only nodded. The five also received another notification. It was the funeral invite. They all knew they would have gotten one.

"Riot, why don't you go meet Sweet Rose and we will meet you down in the fields." Jewel said wrapping her hooves around Flutter in a hug. Riot nodded and floated his items in the proper bins before walking out. He took the stairs up to Floor One since the Elevators were now programmed to reroute anyone who presses "1" to stop at "2". He walked up to the door and punched his code in, let it scan his hoof before hooking up his Pipbuck. The red light turned green and he opened the door. As soon as the door was open it turned red and he made sure it closed behind him and latched. Riot walked to the Overstallion's office. There he hoped to find Sweet Rose.

"Thank you again Mr. Shield for coming out of your retirement to do this job. I hated to do that, but you were the only one I could trust to run the Stable like my mother and I would. I don't know how well communication is to our Pipbucks are from inside here, but, do try at least to get into contact if you ever need help." Sweet Rose was facing an older looking Riot. Justice Shield had a smile on his face.

"Anything to serve you Overmare Sweet Rose. Your mother was quite good to me and to my son. I would do anything to honor your mother." Justice smiled. "You look more like your father each day. Princey would have been proud of you." Sweet Rose smiled.

"That's right. You and my birth father were in the same class. Will you tell me about him when I come back some time? I don't remember him anymore." Sweet Rose said turning towards the door to walk out with Justice.

"You got it. Anything for my Best Stallion's kid." He ruffled her hair as the door slid open. Sweet Rose didn't notice that Riot was walking in as she was walking out. The two bumped and looked into each other's eyes.

"S-sorry." Sweet Rose apologized.

"No...it's my fault." Riot Shield blushed. Justice smiled. He knew about his son's crush on Sweet Rose. "I...uh...I came to see if you have eaten?"

"We were about to go eat. How about you?" Sweet Rose smiled.

"Um...no....I haven't." Riot lied.

"Why don't we all go get a bite. After all I am starving." Justice Shield smiled. Justice led his son and Sweet Rose down to the second floor cafeteria to get a bite to eat. It was pretty empty at this point as some families went to go prepare for the funeral of Overmare Chrysanthemum and the rest of the fallen. Justice grabbed three trays and floated them over to a table. "Alright, let's eat." Justice smiled. Riot gulped and took one bite right before his cousin, Blue Shield, walked in.

"Sorry. Riot, I need your help on something." Blue was blushing as Smitty, who had a cast on his left front hoof, was behind him.

"Yeah....no prob....gotta go." Riot sighed in relief and took off with Blue and Smitty.

"He so ate already." Sweet Rose giggled.

"mmhm." Justice smiled too.

***

Sweet Rose was sitting next to Justice Shield as Ms. Finish was talking about Flax Seed and how he had grown since he was starting to learn about being a Farm pony. Sweet Rose had a tear in her eye when Ms. Finish talked about some of her other students that had died that night. Jewel, who was sitting behind Sweet Rose, placed a hoof on her shoulder. A smiled appeared on her face for a moment before reverting back to a frown. Justice looked over to Sweet Rose as Ms. Finish finished her speech. "You don't have to do this." He whispered but Sweet Rose shook her head.

"No. My mother had faith in me, I am going to do her proud." Sweet Rose got up and walked next to the burial site, not looking at the pictures. She took a deep breath. This speech had no preparation, but she didn't need it. It came straight from the heart.

"Everypony knows that my mother was a respectable Overmare and did much to make sure her ponies were happy in their lives down here. But what everypony didn't know is how much of a great mother that my mother was. Sure, everypony knew she loved her children and did try and spend time with us, but what everypony didn't know is how many sacrifices she had made to go to a play when I was in one, or when Flax was in one. She always made time for us, even if that meant cancelling an important meeting with the Head Security Pony, or changing the date of a wedding because one of us got sick. But I had never seen her take personal days just for herself since the sudden death of my birth father, the stallion everypony knew as Princey. I may not remember him much anymore, but the toll it took on my mother is still fresh in my mind to this day. My mother, Overmare Chrysanthemum, wasn't known for taking sick days or personal days just for herself at this point, but my mother's devastation at Princey's death drove her to the bottom. I could tell how much my mother loved him. There was also one important thing that no pony except myself and the now Overstallion knew, my mother also miscarried that night. Yes, I was supposed to have a sibling from Princey, but she never told anypony about that pregnancy. Only Overstallion Justice and I knew about it, and later, Dust Shower. I saw my mother as a strong pony and those few weeks after his death, I saw her struggle to even make me breakfast. But never once did she turn to Cider or become suicidal. She was fighting for her ponies, even for me, to get over that loss.

"Fast forward a few years. It was after my Cutiebration celebration that my mother and I were down here walking the groves and fields that my mother met Dust Shower. Now at first, my mother wasn't really into Dusty, but I could tell that Dusty was bringing something out in my mother, her laughter. Ever since Princey died, my mother didn't really laugh. She faked nearly all of them, but Dusty brought out my mother's genuine laughter. Dusty came by once a week to visit my mom after about four weeks. It was nice to see my mom go out. I remember going over to Overstallion Justice's dwelling those nights. It wasn't until Fall 24, that I could tell that my mom was really interested in this stallion. Dusty had the chance over the course of that time to include me in some of those dates and I grew to like him too. It wasn't until I heard that Dusty and my mother were getting married that I knew I wanted him for a dad, as I had been without one longer than I had one. Dusty was the best father I could have asked for. He made my mother happy and made me happy. I didn't see real joy come back to our dwelling until I was 11.

"Flax Seed had been conceived and my mother had the smile I only remember her seeing before Princey's death. My family wasn't complete until he was born. I instantly loved him and helped out as much as I could with my little brother. Flax was really precious to me and I really protected him the best I could. I first felt like I had failed when I picked him up one day and he had a black eye. He told me it was nothing, but I pressed him on until he told me he was getting bullied. Partially was because of his name, but he wasn't colt standard in that class according to some of the foals. I knew I needed to tell my mother about it, but I was a young mare who wanted to protect my little brother. I took him to school the next day and asked Ms. Finish if I could help out that day. It couldn't have been more convenient as the mare that was supposed to help couldn't make it because her own foal was sick that day. I learned something about my little brother that day, it wasn't that he wasn't standing up to them, it was that he was getting over powered by the bully. Flax wasn't the strongest with his magic, but it didn't stop him from trying. And he was able to grow while I spent time there and he stopped getting bullied when I wasn't there.

"I will miss my family dearly. But I know that they are always with me. Even though I'm not active Overmare, I still want us to take this time to reflect on all that lost their lives a few nights ago. Even though this funeral is more focused on my family, I don't want it to just be about them. There were other ponies, even whole families, that lost their lives that night. Families that were torn apart. I even lost my grandmother that night. Why she isn't here being buried is a whole other matter, one I am not going to get into. But my mother and step-father met here, and it is fitting that they be buried here and become one with this stable. My brother is here because without this place, he wouldn't have been here. But just because these three are being physically buried here doesn't mean the others aren't here as well. With the approval of the Overstallion, there will be a memorial in this part of the field dedicated to those who had lost their lives that night. We will never forget the tragic event, but we can move forward and create a better life because of it. I, Overmare Sweet Rose, will return one day and we will be able to live without fear once more!" Sweet Rose put her hoof down as the ponies in the field started cheering, and she didn't doubt that the rest of the stable was too. "Thank you."

Sweet Rose made her way back to her seat as Overstallion Justice took his place. "There is nothing I can say that can top Sweet Rose's speech. I do however want to take this time as we say our good byes, not just to the deceased Overmare and her family, but to everyone who lost their lives that night. As Sweet Rose said, I have approved for a memorial to be risen for all who lost their lives." Justice walked back to his seat and picked up a crystal rose. He took it over and laid it in front of the picture of Sweet Rose's family. "Now while the ponies here take their time to place their roses, I ask that you all take your times and say good bye to your friends, family, and special friends that you might have lost on that night." And with that, with Sweet Rose leading, one by one, all who were in attendance placed their Crystal Rose in front of the picture.

***

After the funeral, a party went on like it normally would, minus Sweet Rose and her friends. As much as they wanted to stick around, they needed to put this stable behind them and leave before they couldn't bear to leave. Overstallion Justice left the party long enough to send them off. "Riot, you keep Sweet Rose and the other safe, you hear me?" Justice looked at his son like he was the Head Security Pony that he was.

"Yes sir. I promise to return these ponies to this Stable in one piece." Riot Shield saluted to his father before giving him a smile. Justice Shield cracked a smile back.

"Thank you once again Mr. Shield for taking over this position." Sweet Rose said. Justice gave a nod.

"Please remember to tell our families good bye and that we will miss them." Jewel said walking out of the Stable door.

"Don't forget to talk to Lucky about taking my place as Gym teacher." Lightning Dash flew out after giving a wave.

"Um....I hope that the plants don't miss me that much." Flutter Shy said. "Oh, um bye!" She trotted out of the door.

"I hope my little bro can live up to my Party standards. I know mine were epic!" Meadow Lark said more to himself as he followed Flutter Shy out.

"Sweet Rose, wait for me outside ok?" Riot Shield asked.

"But of course. Good by for now Mr. Shield. Bye Smitty, Blue Shield." She waved to the two Head Security Ponies who were on to close the door the best they could after the 6 left. Musica and her group had left after breakfast that morning, not sticking around for the funeral.

"Dad...I..." Riot started.

"Riot, my son. Sweet Rose is a beautiful mare. Don't let the chance pass by. One day, she might find a stallion more handsome and you might loose her. Hey, if you two return with my grandfoal, I am not going to complain." Justice laughed as his son blushed. "All jokes aside, learn all you can about protecting yourselves out there and return to us, in one piece or not. Just don't let anyone die on us, ok?"

"You got it dad." Riot did something to his father he hadn't done since he was just a colt. He wrapped a hoof around his father's neck in a hug. "Thanks. See you later?"

"You can count on it." Justice watched as his son walked through the opening. "Close the door." Justice ordered. He then watched as his son and his friends disappeared behind the closing door. "Sweet Princess Cadance, protect them on their journey."

Sweet Rose waited as promised and watched with Riot Shield as the door to their stable closed behind them. Sweet Rose, along with Riot, lit up their horns to provide light in the dark tunnel that was outside the stable. There, the whole group saw the outside of the stable door for the first time. It looked like a gear with a giant "6" in the center of it. It hit them all that they weren't going to get back in for a long while. The childhood memories that they had were behind that door. The home they knew wasn't going to be their home until they returned after who knows how long. But now, they have to look forward. "Everyone alright? Got everything that they wanted?" Sweet Rose asked. Everypony had on their saddle bags, Riot carrying both his own and the one that Sweet Rose gave him from the ruins of the Crystal Palace.

"Yeah." they all continued to walk until they reached the opening. They were able to now see that this opening wasn't the actual opening. There were stairs that continued up beyond the opening.

"Riot, think you can help me seal this hole to prevent anypony else from finding the stable?" Sweet Rose asked as they surfaced. Riot nodded and focused his mind on the ground beneath the opening and Sweet Rose did the same. The repair wasn't perfect but it would hold someone as heavy as one of those Applejack Rangers on it. Off in the distance, Sweet Rose spotted their temporary companions. Seabee was flying above the rest while the others watched. "Alright everypony, we have been preparing for this moment for the last day and a half, no turning back now."

"Darling, we wouldn't be here if you weren't here." Jewel said. "And we wouldn't dream of turning back now. We are all in this together and we will be together until the end." The others nodded in agreement.

"Then let's go!" Lightning Dash said flying towards Musica's group. When they arrived, Seabee and Lightning high hoofed and the others greeted their "shadows".

"Good t' see ya'll decided t' continue yer quest. Not 'lot of ponies do." Musica smiled. "Ya all sure ye want t' do this? It' dangerous out 'ere. Many uh pony loose there lives."

"Yes. We all agree that we must go on the journey. Be it to find resources to repair or resources to put up protection. Either way, we are all determined to finish this journey, together." Sweet Rose said with her head up high. Musica had a grin on her face.

"Righ' answer. Now we gotta teach ya'll one last thing. Scavengein'." Musica pointed to the Crystal Castle. "An' we startin' there."

Musica lead them all to the castle that was the center of town. Sweet Rose remembered this place. She was walking out of it when she met Musica's gang. Sweet Rose wasn't able to reach everywhere in the castle, but the familiar ding she heard when she came here last sounded on the rest of her friends' Pipbucks. "The Crystal Castle." Sweet Rose said, without looking at her own. "It says that it was the home of a Princess Cadance and a Prince Shining Armor. They were the rulers of this land before the Balefire attacks." Sweet Rose informed. She looked over to see her friends staring at her. "What? I came here before I found them." She pointed a hoof at Musica and her gang.

"What I don't get is how our Pipbucks are gaining this insight?" Riot Shield asked.

"Maybe all of our Pipbucks already had this programmed in them and the information is surfacing as we get to the location." Sweet Rose tried to make sense as they walked into one of the entrances. It was a different one than what Sweet Rose had walked in before, but everything looked the same as the other. "So what do you want us to learn here besides scavenging?"

"Well, you all are going to learn how to lock-pick, crack a terminal, scour through belongings and determine what is safe to eat and drink." Springtrap informed. "Now some of the locations we are going to take you don't have anything of any real value, but it is still a nice opportunity for you to learn what is valuable and what isn't. Each of us will partner back up with who we were partnered before with and we will spread out. There is a common area on the floor above, that is where we will start and end."

"We got ourselves enough food to share with you folks tonight as we won't get to determining what is safe and what isn't, but tomorrow morning we will resume what we are learning tonight." Racquet smiled.

"So in other words, we are learning skills we may not need?" Meadow Lark asked.

"Yes. But think if we didn't teach you and you came across a safe that could mean the difference between life and death." Steel Rain replied. He led the whole group up the stairs to the second floor. They came right into the common room. "Here is where we begin. Our team knows the starting locations. We meet back in 4 hours for lunch." Steel Rain motioned for Jewel to follow. She reluctantly followed.

"Good luck babe!" Meadow Lark called out before following Flashpoint down a hallway, opposite of Jewel and Steel Rain.

"Flutter, try and do your best." Lightning said as he and Musica, along with Seabee and Flutter went up a staircase. Flutter Shy only gave her nervous squeal in response.

"I guess we are heading up the stairs as well." Riot said as Racquet and Springtrap led them towards the same staircase.

"We both have a tough challenge for you two. Riot Shield, you are going to crack the terminal that is in the master bedroom. Swe-" Racquet started.

"Already did that. Got all the files on the terminal and scoured through the drawers closest to the terminal in the desk." Sweet Rose stated. Racquet looked stunned that her pupil was already a few steps ahead.

"No worries...there are other.....terminals.......right Springtrap???" Racquet was starting to worry.

"Of course. The room that was the eldest child of the Crystal Royals holds a terminal as well." Springtrap observed as the locations of all the active Pipbucks and Applejack rangers came up on his scanner.

"Ok. So you take Riot Shield there, and I will take Sweet Rose to the young Prince's room." Racquet said as they reached the top of the stairs. Sweet Rose expected to see her pegasi friends there, but they must have went up the set of stairs that Sweet Rose hadn't ventured up the last time.

"See you later Rosie." Riot said with his usual grin.

"Later Riot." Sweet Rose couldn't help but smile around him. Racquet led her to the room of the pegasus prince that she was in earlier. She didn't really search the room but now was the chance. "What am I looking for?"

"Anything that you think would prove useful in a situation. Could be clothes, it could be a weapon. Hell, it could be a toy. I have already ventured in this room while you all were having your little funeral this morning. I know what I would use. Find the same ones I did, and I might let you take an early break. Up to the challenge?" Racquet smiled.

"You are on."

Lightning Dash: The athletic stallion that just keeps going. Current Age: 23. Off and On with: Flutter Shy. Stable Position: Dweller. Stable Job: Gym Teacher/Pony Trainer. Hobby: Challenging Riot Shield to competitions, teaching the young foals, playing Pegasus basketball. What he looks like: Lightning Dash

Chapter 7: The Ruins of the Crystal Empire

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Chapter 7: The Ruins of the Crystal Empire

"You have got to be kidding me!" Jewel exclaimed as Steel Rain pointed to a garbage can. "I have to look through that?" There were bottles placed in this can, some with caps still on them.

"What may seem like trash to you can be normal things for those of us from the wasteland." Steel Rain informed. He knew the caps were valuable as well as the sarsaparilla in them. The empty ones useless. “For example, caps. Bottle caps are now important in this society as the form of currency.” Jewel looked lost.

“Currency? I have heard of that back before the war, the currency was what they called Bits. In the Stable we used a digitalized form called Crystalz. I think the current ratio for Bit to Crystalz was 1 to 1200.” Jewel looked at the bottle caps. “But why would junk like that be worth something. It doesn’t make sense.”

Steel Rain face hoofed. “Nothing makes sense to you.” Steel Rain pointed to one of the bottles with the sarsaparilla. “That right there is precious to you for being a source of not only drink, but it gives you a cap, which is our form of currency, whether it makes sense to you or not. Now, I want you to find all the bottles with caps on them, and find any bottle caps. No need to give them to me. Place them into your bags.”

“But you said that this junk was worth something. Wouldn’t you want it for yourself?” Jewel asked confused why he was willing to give something so valuable to her.

“I have more than enough. We know how to guard our share. You need to guard caps like they were….Crystalz. You wouldn’t want somepony to take your Crystalz wrongfully right?” Steel Rain asked.

“Right. They would have to be crazy to take my Crystalz.” Jewel looked down at her Pipbuck. “Do you think I could trade some Crystalz for caps?”

“Doubt so. Caps are more valuable to our society than some currency from a Stable that has recently opened. But not everyone will know about this Stable. Even the Steel Rangers that attacked you didn’t know about it until your Stable made contact.” Steel Rain said. Jewel was in shock. She had thought that the Steel Rangers knew about their Stable and were just trying to find it.

“They didn’t know about our Stable?” Jewel asked.

“I remember when I was in the Rangers. Stable 6 was a legend. Many thought that Stable 6 had perished when Princess Cadance disappeared. No one knew where her daughter went after Prince Shining Armor took their son, Prince Corduroy from the Crystal Empire. Many thought that Princess Cadance and Princess Crystal Peace both died when the Balefire bomb went off in the northwest quadrant of the empire. As you can see, the damage of the palace was enough to have killed them if they were in the dining hall. But there are no remains in the dining hall and the few rooms that were destroyed were all guest bedrooms. But all in all, the caps in this trash can and the full bottles will prove useful in the end." Steel Rain had informed.

With a strange look on her face, Jewel dug out the caps and the bottles of sarsaparilla. "Don't you need the caps?" Jewel was questioning why this armored stallion was willing to give up such a valuable currency.

"I already told you, I don't need any right now. My group has plenty at the moment and we aren't really looking for more, currently." Steel Rain replied and then pointed over to another trash can. "Next." Jewel gave a disgusted look before searching through the next one.

Meadow Lark was searching through papers in what looked like an office. He was finding plans on weapons and so forth. It must have been the Captain of the Crystal Guard's office or maybe one of the royal members. "I see a few plans on weapons, a notice about a Cuticeñera, whatever that is, and something about a possible proposal for an additional Stable in the Crystal Empire.” Meadow told Flashpoint. “All of this look interesting, but nothing really catches my eye.” Meadow Lark looked over to his guide. Flashpoint was shaking his head.

“No, no, no.” There is something worthwhile in these papers. Something that you are just not thinking about because you have had no experience with them.” Flashpoint took away the Stable proposal papers. “Look at these two papers and then tell me which one you think would be worth more in the end.” Meadow looked over the weapons plans and the Cuticeñera.

“The weapons plans?” Meadow asked hesitantly and Flashpoint nodded and smiled.

“Yes. You could sell these plans or even build them yourselves. But selling them to get a few good caps would be the wisest move. Most of these plans have many parts that just aren’t around anymore. And if you were to find them, they would be either in some sort of museum, being sold for a ridiculous amount of caps, or damaged beyond repair.” Flashpoint said. “But it is up to you in the end. I have no say in what you do with the plans. But there are more things in the desk to look through.”

Meadow looked at the desk. “What do you know about the Zebra War?” He asked after seeing a cover letter that was probably attached to the weapons plans at some point. He read through the cover sheet and started reading the words from “The Ministry of Arcane Sciences” and learning that it was a proposed weapons systems that utilized The Crystal Empires Royals.

“Long before the war broke out, Ponies and Zebra’s barely knew about each other. The Royal Pony Sisters, Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, only had one contact with the Zebra nation through a Zebra friend named Zecora. It was from her that they first learned about the planned attack on Equestria. Unfortunately, the news of this came slightly too late. By the time Zecora got back, the attack had begun. If it wasn’t for an idiot, Zecora could have aided them in the war.” Flashpoint told Meadow Lark, remembering the stories passed down in his family. One of his ancestors was a member of a Ministry.

“What do you mean by ‘If it wasn’t for an idiot…’?” Meadow Lark asked shifting his focus to the drawers. He found a good hundreds of caps in one drawer, all different from another. He took them out and set them aside. ‘Why not?’ he thought.

“Someone killed Zecora. Let’s just say he got an earful after that.” Flashpoint said looking over to Meadow Lark for the first time after taking away the Stable plans, reading over them all the while. “Zecora was Minister Twilight Sparkle’s inside source to the Zebra nation. Princess Celestia was still distraught over things and the death of Big McIntosh didn’t help any. Princess Celestia was a shell of her former self at the point of attack. Princess Luna tried her best to run the country like her sister did in her time as ruler of Equestria.” Flashpoint looked over the plans. “I need to take these to Musica. Rummage through the other drawers until I get back.” Meadow Lark watched as Flashpoint walked out of the room.

“I can’t get it!” Lightning Dash dropped the tools that were in his mouth a moment ago. “This is too difficult to get done.” He huffed and glared at Musica.

“Come on now. If Ah can do it, Ah know ye can. Bein’ a good lock pick can help ya on yer journey. Ye wouldn’ want t’ be left behind by lil’ ole Flutter Shy now do ya?” Musica jabbed, sitting next to him. She was giving him a detailed explanation of how to use his teeth and tongue to maneuver the lock pick kit that she was letting him borrow for the day. That made Lightning Dash growled in frustration and picked the tools up and started trying to pick the lock again. This time the locked safe gave a nice reverberating sound of unlocking. Lightning Dash looked up in satisfaction.

“You were saying?” Lightning dropped the tools once more and opened the safe. There laid an envelope with an attached notice. He also saw some newspapers that were dated back during the days before the war. “Hey. This newspaper. It says that there was a big announcement that was coming soon from Princess Luna. Who was that?” He asked Musica.

“Princess Luna was one of th’ Royal Pony sisters tha’ ruled Equestria. She took over for Princess Celestia, th’ older princess, when she could no longe’ rule effectively. Part of ‘er depression is when a brave soul sacrificed ‘imself. Ah’m distantly related t’ him.” Musica said. “Th’ Apple Family was neve’ th’ same after tha’ day. Lady Applejack went in full on depression. It got so bad, tha’ ‘er ex-coltfriend and sister forced ‘er t’ a Stable when th’ attacks started. Applejack died in tha’ Stable. It was th’ Stable tha’ was recently attacked like yer Stable was. Although, it was many months before yers.” Musica informed.

“How do you know so much about that attack?” Lightning Dash asked.

“Steel Rain was there. He was one of th’ first t’ change over t’ th’ Applejack Rangers.” Musica said.

“WHAT?” Lightning Dash’s wings flew out in surprise. That was the last thing he had expected from the tin can. “No way.”

“Way. Now wha’ else is in tha’ safe?” Musica asked.

“A couple of plans for a new Stable and a plan for evacuation of the Crystal Palace should an attack be made on the empire.” Lightning rummaged through the papers. Not much useful tools, but the plans could be interesting to look at.

“Giveme tha’ Stable plan!” Musica practically ordered. This made Lightning jump.

“Why?” Lightning asked.

“They migh’ be next.” She said.

Flutter Shy was squeaking in fear when Seabee had asked her to damage a nice plant that had been preserved by the carcass of a Crystal Guard. At this point, Seabee was getting frustrated at the shy pony. She was wondering what had happened to the progress that they had made. “Come on Flutter Shy. There is something behind that plant and I want you to get it.”

“But….the plant. It shouldn’t be disturbed.” She squeaked. Seabee growled in frustration and aimed her guns at it. If that pony wasn’t going to do it, she will take care of it herself. That was if Flutter Shy hadn’t jumped in the way. “NO!” She begged and Seabee scoffed.

“Listen. There is something back there and I am going to make you get it. I just have to move this plant out of the way.” Seabee said taking aim.

“NO! It’s a Crystal Lyacinth. They are poisonous. Destroy it and we die.” Flutter Shy said.

“How…..?” Seabee lowered her guns and looked at the shy Pegasus.

“Crystal Lyacinth didn’t come about until after the first Balefire bomb hit in Canterlot.” Flutter Shy said reading off her Pipbuck. “The Crystal Hyacinth had absorbed the radiation that came to the Crystal Empire before the attack here. The first balefire bomb didn’t make it poisonous, but the bomb that hit here, created a deadly consequence if you destroy it.” Flutter Shy looked up at Seabee and saw the horror on her face. “It could kill us all.” That made Seabee lower her guns.

“Um….lets move the thing gently then.” Seabee laughed nervously. She couldn’t risk killing them all. Seabee received a message on her display calling her back to the common room. She looked over to Flutter Shy. “Why don’t you move it. I’ll be back in a moment.” Seabee walked away from the plant and towards where Musica had instructed her to meet…..without Flutter Shy.

“Bring the pick up about a millionth percent and then push forward.” Springtrap was giving very detailed movements to Riot Shield who wanted to take a hoof in picking a lock with his magic. But what was frustrating him was the fact that Springtrap was giving too many terms and details that he couldn’t comprehend.

“In Equestrian please.” Riot Shield asked a little frustrated.

“Move it down a mane hair and push towards the safe.” Springtrap said again, a little annoyed himself. He was trying his best to give very detailed instructions like Riot Shield had asked him to, but now he was telling him to dumb it down. The white unicorn in front of him didn’t make any sense.

Riot Shield did as told and a resounding “click” signified that the safe was now open. He opened it up and there was a picture and a few papers, along with a locked box and a cover letter with an attached stack of papers. Riot Shield went right to work on the locked box and got it open without much trouble. There were about a hundred gold coins and a pair of rings that were in the box. ‘These must be Prince Shining Armor’s and Princess Cadance’s wedding rings….well it does make sense. This is their room.’ Riot thought to himself. “What are these gold coins?” Riot asked.

“They were the previous currency of the Wasteland, Bits.” Springtrap informed, the information on Bits running upon his helmet. “Bits were the source of money back during the time of the Princesses. Having a lot of bits meant that you had either wealth or a great business. Ponies could take Bits to a bank and with a hundred of them, they could switch it in for a Shill. Most Ponies didn’t and by the time the Legendary Mane 6 came to power of their own Ministries, the Shill was obsolete.” Springtrap said, information scrolling over his visor. “After the war, Bits started falling out of use as there was really nothing to buy most of the time. All the food was now poisoned with radiation, the drinks were too. Nothing was edible for a while except those that were dry products. By some weird miracle, dry goods were radiation free and food in the fridges and freezers escaped with very little radiation that only ingested in large amounts would make a grown pony sick.”

“So any food that was being grown was now unable to be ate while any food that wasn’t in the open was virtually free from radiation.” Riot asked. “And I bet the soil hasn’t been able to be planted in since.”

“Correct.” Springtrap said as a notice flashed on his helmet from Steel Rain. “The soil still contains lethal amounts of Radiation and planting anything in the ground now will be a death sentence to those who eat the food.” He pulled up the message. If was telling him to meet the group back down in the parlor that they started in. “Now what does that stack of papers contain?”

“Um…” Riot flipped them through using his magic and quickly taking in the contents. “Something about how adding another stable will be a death sentence as it would not be built in time.” Riot said. “It is written by Prince Shining Armor himself sir.” Riot flipped back to the cover letter. “Addressed to Princess Luna and StableTech. Apparently StableTech wanted to open another stable here to accommodate the outer lying towns of the Crystal Empire but Prince Shining Armor was against it saying that it would ruin the reason why they sent their daughter to that one and that the current one was enough. But it was never sent. This is all hoof written….well…..you know what I mean.” Riot looked over to Springtrap who was just staring at him through his helmet.

“You got all that by flipping through it?” He asked.

“No. I just read the cover letter.” Riot smiled. Springtrap should have known that Riot’s flipping through was too fast for anypony to read. He then gathered the letter in his own magic and didn’t move until Riot released his. “So what now?”

“Find another room. Maybe even join Sweet Rose and go to another room on this level and look through them. I will be back soon to pick you back up. I’ll find you and Sweet Rose.” Springtrap left with Riot following to find Sweet Rose, sending notice to Racquet.

“You know, for a dweller, you are pretty smart of what you should be using.” Racquet complimented Sweet Rose as she laid out what she found.

“My mother always told me that even if it looks like junk, it can still be used.” Sweet Rose said.

“You had a smart mother. But there is something that you missed. There were several pieces of information that could be very useful on th-”

“On the terminal in this room.” Sweet Rose interrupted. “Most of the files could not be downloaded but while you were cleaning your guns, I was looking them over. It seems that this war was worse up here in the Empire than I originally thought.” Racquet was stunned.

“Yes.” She replied.

“But that is where I don’t get it. Why would the mighty princesses let the relations between the two nations get so bad?” Sweet Rose asked.

“To be honest, The Royal Sisters didn’t know much about the Zebra Nation except that it existed. The loyal Zebra, Zecora, was the only Zebra the Sisters knew about. Zecora didn’t talk much about her homeland, well not until it mattered.” Racquet walked over to the terminal. “There are other items you missed too.” She smiled looking on the desk at the bottle caps.

“Those caps? I saw them. I thought that the young prince collected them. I thought I would leave them there. It’s not nice desecrating the room of the late young prince.” Rose said looking at the caps.

“Nope. I placed them there. Caps are your lifeline in this world. No caps, No service. Some places won’t even let you look if you don’t have caps. You don’t have to buy or pay to look, you just have to have caps.” Racquet looked down to her Pipbuck that was beeping to signify that there was a new message to read. Sweet Rose subconsciously looked at hers to see if she received one, too. “I have to meet Musica and Steel Rain. Springtrap said that Riot Shield is going to join you in the next room. Take the caps and hold onto them. You might need them someday.” Racquet smiled and walked out the door.

“But won’t….”Sweet Rose trailed off.

***

Musica met her team down in the common room where they had started. She noticed that there were three sets of plans for a new stable in the Empire. “Thanks fer comin’ on short notice. Ah see some of us have had our companions find Stable plans. Ah’m afraid tha’ th’ plans have been followed through with. Th’ only way t’ know is t’ go searchin’. They migh’ not be here too.”

“Riot Shield found a letter that Prince Shining Armor had intended to send to Canterlot before the attacks happened. It gives a strong preference that they not build another stable.” Springtrap said holding the stack of paper in front of Steel Rain and Musica flipping the pages ever so often so they could read it.

“Doesn’t change anything.” Steel Rain frankly said. “The fact that it is here in its rough draft and no indication on any terminal that we have come across of ever being sent electronically, I think that it is still a very good possibility that the stable had been built without the prince ever knowing.” Steel Rain looked to his companions without much of a head movement. “So we should still look.”

“But how are we going to leave them?” Springtrap asked.

“Ah haven’t figured ‘hat out yet. Bu’ when Ah do, Ah’ll let ya know.” Musica told her group.

“But they haven’t learned everything that we have to teach them.” Racquet said.

“Then we have to teach them everything that we know by tomorrow. We cannot delay this much longer.” Steel Rain said jumping in, picking up on Musica’s thoughts, like he naturally did.

“Yer exactly righ’. There is no time t’ wait.” Musica nodded. She was trying to figure out a way to let the group know about them leaving without giving it away of what they are doing. Musica then remembered that there was a village not too far away that was having raider problems. It was a small village known as the Crystal Village that contained descendants of the Empire survivors. Musica’s group did all they could to help them, but that was months ago.

“Oh how about that village? We could send them off to there and see if they still need help.” Racquet did it again. It was almost like she sensed what Musica was thinking.

“Ah seriously don’ git how ya do tha’. Bu’ Ah was thinking th’ same thing. We haven’t been t’ tha’ village in a few months. But Ah really do werry ‘bout them.” Musica looked through her group. They have been together for a few years now, she knows what they could handle. “Awlright, now, ‘ere’s wha’ we gonna do.”

“We gonna go searching through an ancient Empire?” Seabee asked excitedly.

“We are goin’ t’ search th’ ruins of th’ Crystal Empire.” Musica grinned.

Fallout Equestria: Sins Unforgiven

by Musica

Chapter 1: Sweet Rose

Chapter 2: Something's Not Right

Chapter 3: All hope is....

Chapter 4: Returning to Stable 6

Chapter 5: Learning to Fight

Chapter 6: Leaving

Chapter 7: The Ruins of the Crystal Empire