> Fallout Equestria: The Unknown Factor
>  by Timer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter One Hope
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The year is twenty-forty five and the situation is grim for humanity. All around the world resources are almost gone counties are declaring war on other countries for there almost depleted natural resources. Mass panic all around has appeared it’s ugly head. The United Nations is disbanded but the only reason why we are not dead yet by nuclear bombs is that the last statement before the United Nations disbanded was that the United States of America has one chance to try and find a new world to call home or to gather resources from. At first, the idea was criticized and said it was impossible but now that idea is all we have left to rely on and if it does not work then the world is screwed and the human race will be no more.

The experiment will be held in Washington DC and a team of 10 men will be sent through the portal with a slim chance to ever come back or even make it to another world entirely. But if we do make it then we only have ten chances to communicate back to home base. Each member has a long-range communicator but I doubt that it will even work if we get to another planet.  And they can only hold the portal open for different amounts of time. But the portal when it opens each time it will not be in the same location than originally opened. 


But that is probably only some of the problems with this last ditch effort to save humanity and I am hesitant but willing to do this. This probably the last time I write a log entry in this computer signing out for the last time captain George Taylor. I soon logged off the computer for the last time got up from my desk headed to my shoe/shirt closet and put on my tennis shoes and camo shirt, jacket, and pants. Then walked out of my room but before I did fully I turned off the lights then headed down the stairs and out the front door. I was met by a convoy of secret service cars. Out of the three cars, the middle one opens one of its doors I guess that’s my intention to enter the vehicle. 

I looked at my watch it was almost time to leave so I ran to the vehicle and got in. The interior of the car was mainly the color black. That’s when I noticed how many were in the car there are one secret service agent and three other members of the team. One I know more than the others and that man's name is Sam Andrews. A man who has saved me more than once in the line of duty. 

He then reached over from the back seat to me that I was in the front seat and nudged me held out his hand. “Well long time no see George. Ready to hopefully save the world even though we have a slim chance to even make it to another planet entirely.”

I took his hand and shook it. “I sure am but you only live once. Better go and be known as a hero than a coward.” 

Our conversation was cut short by the agent in the car. “We are leaving now get back in your seats and be quiet I need to hear the coms.” We did as we were told and soon we were moving towards the secret testing facility below the White House. This is where the fate of humanity is determined. We soon were in sight of the White House which I  quickly noticed was more heavily guarded than usual.

We soon pulled into the driveway and started to exit the vehicle. But I quickly noticed the tension in the air was so thick I could cut it with a knife. I came to this conclusion because outside of the gates there were hundreds of civilians watching our every move some were even praying. Then it happened so fast so suddenly I barely had time to react as a shot rang from the crowd and shot the agent right next to me. The bullet went right through his head blood and brains splattered on the car. I ran to the front of the White House a took cover behind a white pillar. After which soon more and more gunshots sounded on both sides as people from the crowd started to break down the fence and get instantly get gunned down but the agents and national guard were taking more and more casualties.

Then I heard a thud to the left of me and it was a secret service agent. He was riddled with bullets from his chest and his stomach that was blown to bits. I knelt down and picked up his pistol and hoped that there was enough ammo to last long enough through this firefight. Then I heard heavy footsteps to my right then came out a man armed to the teeth. He soon turned his gun at me but I did not give him a chance to shoot I fired one shot through his throat he soon fell to the ground but he was not dead he was choking on his own blood in huge amounts. I shot him once more to end his suffering.

Then there was a tap on my shoulder I turned around to see one of the agents along with Sam right next to him. “You guys need to get to the testing facility now! You two are the only members of the team that is left alive! If you two die then all hope is lost! We will hold off the fuckers as long as we can! Now go and don’t die!” 

With that, I and Sam rushed inside. Once inside I looked around me and what I saw was complete chaos men rushing back and forth wounded all along the floor I looked at one wounded man whose legs were missing two medics were tending to him. But his eyes rolled back and he went limp he was gone. Then a National guard soldier came over to us. “You guys Sam and George?” 

We both nodded our heads. “Good the scientists have the portal ready for you but we have to hurry the portal will not be open for that much longer! And before you ask what the fuck is going on we had many death threats to this operation! We took one threat much more serious than the rest! It came from a known extremist group but we thought that they did not have the firepower nor numbers to assault the White House but we were wrong!” 

We soon started to run towards a set of heavy double doors there was also a number pad to open the doors. The soldier ran up to it and punched in the code the doors opened and all three of us rushed inside. We soon were met with stone steps going down the soldier stopped and pointed at the stairs. “Right down there is where they are waiting for you now hurry!” We did not have to be told twice we rushed down the stairs and then once we reached the end of the stairs we saw two double doors. 

We soon ripped open the doors and rushed inside. We were met with a portal and armed scientists with raised guns pointed at us. Once they realized that it was just as they lowered their weapons. One scientist yelled at us. “Get in the portal now before it's too late! We only have one shot at this now go!” 

We soon ran into the portal and was met with a bright flash of light. Then blackness my final thought was did we make it? 

In an unknown location. A brown and white Pegasus with the name of Bright Shore walks up to the most unusual creature with different animal parts for each limb of its body with two wings that are too small for his body. Its arms are crossed and has the most serious face looking down at a once peaceful land now turned hostile. Then Bright Shore pokes the creature and says. “So Discord was it a good idea to bring humanity into this world?” 

Discord then responded with a serious tone. “Yes, I do believe it was a good choice. But I have done what I can to help humanity pass through the portal. And the reason I did this was that the only way for both worlds and races to survive their predicaments then they must work together. But for now, all we can do is watch and see what happens.”
> Chapter Two Realization
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

All I could feel was pain and despair as I got up from wait dirt? I looked around to see clouds and a far-off city. The air was breathable or else we would be dead by now. Then I felt it ’s the feeling of suffering, pain, and lost hope it as if this area or planet was covered by these emotions. It all but felt wrong to me. 

Then I remembered that I was not alone in this endeavor. But when I looked down to the right of me Sam was not there and neither was our equipment. Well except for the pistol that is stuffed in my pants. I pulled out the gun from my pants and looked around to see who or what had taken my friend. I looked back at where he was supposed to be then I noticed some hoof prints in the dirt. 

But along with the tracks, there were drag marks leading to a town. I started to walk towards there but my legs were like jello at first I almost fell down but regained my balance. I guess my body has not really adjusted to this world or that I have been knocked out for some time. But besides my legs not cooperating with the rest of my body, I still moved on. But as I moved through the surrounding area and near the town the place felt empty and void of hope. 

But despite this feeling, I kept on moving. But once I reached the first couple of buildings of the town I soon got a look at the place more clearly. And this place looked like it has been through hell and back and then just left to rot. Some of the buildings in the town were nothing but rubble and those that stood looked like that they were about to collapse. As I reached what was left of the town center I started to hear some voices but I could not understand the language that was being spoken. 

But curiosity got the best in me and I started to walk towards the sound of the voices and this led me to what seemed like a market or what was left of it anyway. In the middle of the market, there were three ponies? But my eyes did not deceive me trust me I rubbed them over three times before I looked back at the three ponies. But then I noticed that they were armed and that there was more than three. I came to this observation because one there was cages that held ponies inside and two there was more ponies coming down the road. 

Then I finally noticed that I was out in the open and all these ponies had to do was look behind them or come a little closer down the road to spot me and probably kill me. So I looked to the left and to the right to see that my only cover was a pile of rocks and wood to the left of me. So I quickly jogged to the pile of rock and wood and jumped over the pile. But then I saw a pony by the looks I would say a mare. She had a green coat with a disorganized mane with the color red. 

But she was looking to the left away from where I was going to land. But as soon as my feet touched the ground she looked to her right and her eyes went wide. She was about to yell but I did not give her the chance. I jumped and tackled her to the ground. One of my hands over her mouth the other on her throat. 

I started to tighten my grip on her throat she tried to get me off her but I had too tight a grip on her for her to move. But just as I started to further choke her I looked into a set of blue eyes. Those eyes showed fear, pain, and shock but this showed me that these ponies were intelligent and had emotions. This realization truly hit me and made my grip on the pony loosen. She then bit my hand and continued to bite down on my left hand with such force that blood started to gush out of my hand. 

I held in a yell by biting down on my lip and then with my right hand gripped on to a good sized stone from the pile and then hit her on the side of her head. She was dazed at first but before she could recover I hit her again on the side of her head. I started to count the times I hit her two, three,  four, five, and six. And on that sixth hit I heard a snap and a crack as her skull burst open and blood went onto my right arm my chest and some even on my face. She then went limp and stopped moving and I saw one of her good eyes roll in the back of her head. 

I then felt her jaw slack. I quickly pulled my hand away from her mouth and sat down even more behind the pile of rocks and wood. I then looked at the pony her left side of her face was caved in and so was her skull. Her jaw was disconnected and broken blood still pours out of her skull and face. I looked at her in shock what was that two people I have killed now. 

Well, make that one human and one pony. I was surprised that no one heard the fight that just happened. Then remembered that I still had a gun on me well a pistol to be exact but only had ten bullets for it. But then when I looked back at the dead pony I saw next to her what looked like a grenade but in the shape of an apple. I greedily took the grenade and looked at the place where I saw three ponies but now there was six all huddled around a campfire. 

A stupid grin took hold of my face. I unpinned the grenade and stood up from my cover and threw the grenade right into the campfire they set up. this made the grenade explode upon impact and killed all six of them at least by the loud screaming and then the silence that followed after the explosion. I soon pulled out the pistol from my pocket and rushed to the campsite. What I found was nothing more than six dead corpses with their body parts spread around. 

But then as I was starting to loot the campsite for any ammo, food, and an also at least a better gun than what I have right now. A light sound of a grunt diverted my attention to one of the cages that these slavers had in their camp. I slowly made my way to the rusted steel cage with a chain connected to a lock that looks like it is about to fall apart. Once close enough I peered inside the dark cage to see a pony huddled in the right corner of the cage. This pony was made by the look of his body build and size.

But this stallion had seen better days his mane was a mess he was missing bits of fur on his coat. His mane a coat color was green and he also had a scar on his left eye which means he was blind in that eye. His right eye is a shade of light blue. But instead of the look of fear in his eye, it was the look of understanding and hope. But then he started to talk to me but I can not understand what he was saying. 

Then as I was about to talk back to him in hopes he could understand me but one thought echoed in my mind. This language barrier is going to be a major pain in the ass to deal with. And well I could not argue with that statement. Then the pony pointed at the lock a made a breaking motion with his hooves. I nodded my head in acknowledgment and looked for something to break the lock with. 

I soon found by a half of what once was a pony but was now nothing more than a corpse blown up a grenade what looks like a tire iron. I picked up the metal weapon and reached the cage I raised the tire iron and hit the lock it broke easily and fell to the ground. The pony soon got up and opened the cage door and walked past me he then turned around looked at me and sat on the ground. He called me over I walked over to him and sat right next to him. He then started to write and draw on the ground. 

The first thing he draws was a set of five cages then he drew a small town. Then he looked up from the ground and pointed northeast at a forest then he looked back at the ground and started to write. I thought to myself that I would not be able to understand what he was writing but I was soon proven wrong. When he was done writing he taped my right shoulder and pointed at the ground. I looked down to see words not written in a different language but in plain English. 

The sentence was written as the following. “Go to New Appaloosa and ask for directions to Old Appaloosa when you arrive at Old Appaloosa save every slave you can find and then take them back to New Appaloosa. You are not from around here but you have a kind heart and a strong will which is hard to find in ponies nowadays. But this world needs more heroes not villains help Equestria and form it back to what it once was. I know that is probably impossible but if you do this ponies will start to have hope again which is something we have not had in a long time. 

But the ponies you meet and hopefully become friends with can help you on this journey. I know this request is hard to ask you but you look like a good man on a mission. But I did see another of your kind be dragged off towards Old Appaloosa just follow this request from an old stallion who has seen too much of this torn world of hatred. A world that should have had a happy ending but it never came war ate this world into nothing but death and destruction. And in the end, our sins cost us our world but hopefully with the help of new heroes and old this world can turn back to what it once was a place of beauty and friendship. 

Please fulfill this request from an old and dying stallion. Now go and help this world become what it once was a place of happiness and friendship.” When I looked up from the ground to give my response the green pony was gone not even a trace of him leaving was noticeable. It was if he just vanished like he never belonged in this world, to begin with. Well, I at least know the next thing to do on this almost suicidal journey. I got up from where I was sitting and started to walk towards what looks like a new life for me but also the only hope of saving humanity but for all, I know the world I left could be dead but no matter I have a job to do and I intend to finish it.
> Chapter Three A Desperate Plan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I chose this path that in the hopes that both of these species could work together but from what I have seen so far is very different. First, the two humans are split apart, they don’t understand the ponies they are supposed to help, they lost the long-range transmitter, and they are miles apart from each other. I need to help them somehow but my power is limited. It is not what it once was so long ago before the war. “What am I going to do?” 

“You can give them the power to understand what we say to them then leave them in the dark not knowing our language which is a very bad idea by the way.” I turned around to face the only pony who knows I am still alive and her name is Star Dust as for her appearance she had a coat that was dark blue with stars on it shining still. Her mane was a bright white and so was her tail. But her eyes were shaped and colored like the moon. She had no irises just those round white moons as her eyes. 

She was leaning against the side of the entrance of my room. She then got off the side of the door and walked towards my desk and pulled up a chair and sat down. She looked at me waiting for a reply. “It’s not that simple you know that right? I can not use the power I have left so foolishly.” 

“You have a point but if they are going to survive out there they are going to need all the help they can get.” 

“But on a vain hope that they can achieve while so many have failed to tell me how do I put so much at risk for my last desperate plan to save this world and there’s with almost nothing left of my powers to be seen.” 

“You said it yourself this is the last plan Discord you need to put everything you got on this plan for it to succeed. We are the people that ponies thought we were dead. And it must stay that way but if we die using our powers for good instead of bad then so be it. This world needs more heroes to save them than just two ponies. That is probably never going to see each other. So these humans must have an advantage that we can give them to survive what is ahead of them in this world.” 

“I hate it when you are right you know that right? So be it they will have the power to understand the ponies they encounter on their mission.” I put my arm out and two white orbs appeared I then shot both orbs in different directions. “Good luck humans you are going to need it for the struggles ahead.”
> Chapter Four A New Direction
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I walked towards the forest next to the outskirts of the abandoned and destroyed town all I could think about is how the hell this operation went wrong. First, there was the attack on the White House along with the almost everyone on the team meant to come through the portal die. Then when I wake up I find that my friend has been taken and the only way to communicate back home on planet earth that we made it is also gone. And that also there is a major communication gap between me and the ponies that live here. And now I am supposed to ask ponies who one has never seen my kind before and two don’t even understand me so, in the end, they will probably just shoot me. 

Well, this operation has officially gone to shit and fast and for all, I know the people back home could have just killed each other already.  And making the first contact with the inhabitants of this planet which are ponies did not go as well as I thought. I took my left hand the hand that was not bleeding from that pony that bit it and facepalmed then I moved my hand back down to my waist and kept it there. I was trying to find an entrance to the woods but from the looks of it, there was no entrance. And by the looks of this forest and sounds emanating from it, I would say that this was not the best way to go.

Then came the idea of how the hell this forest is well still standing and alive when everything else from what I have seen is dead? But this forest is what I say out of place as the trees are littery glowing and some are just normal looking trees. And also without the sun out with these gray clouds covering the sun, therefore, there is close to no light shining or lighting up the ground around me and the rest of this area for that matter. But everything looks gray and depressing as if the color of this world just was drained. And then was left to die and decay. 

But at least it is not pitch black right now anyway. But for all, I know that could change in an instant. But back to the problem at hand trying to find an entrance to this forest. That right now is the main problem that is really a pain. After looking at the West side of the forest for an entrance into the woods I decided to go east of the outskirts of the town and also that includes the east side of the forest. 

I started to turn my back to the forest and head back to the village that was until when I turned my head to the right I noticed a dirt path leading out from the village and towards the woods. Well then hopefully this path will lead me towards an entrance to this dark and very unnerving forest which if I go through will hopefully lead me to New Appaloosa. But at the same time would and should there be another way to reach this town and not go through a forest that at the look at it just wants you to run away in fear. And you would think that the ponies who built this town would have also made another way for people excuse me ponies reach their town safer and quicker. But apparently, that is not the case.

By now I started to walk towards the dirt path then go through the town and then start at the beginning of the dirt path. So I cut across the gray and lifeless ground and past a fallen tree without leaves on it and from the roots to the first set of branches showed nothing but decay. Soon after passing past the tree and a couple other trees I found myself on the dirt path. I started to walk on the path in hopes that this led to the entrance into the forest that looks like something that came straight out of a horror movie. But this was the only route that would lead to New Appaloosa and hopefully somebody that could help me which of course will be hard to communicate with the ponies in the settlement because they would not understand what I am saying to them due to the fact that they speak in a different language than I do.

This, of course, will cause some problems in me asking for help to try and point me in the direction of Old Appaloosa. Also to ask what this planet is called or if I had to guess what this country is called. I did not notice that the dirt path was fading and narrowing as I got closer and closer to the forest. I did notice when I snapped out of my train of thought I saw cottage to the right of me it was small in size and was partly destroyed. I pulled out my pistol from the left side of my pants pocket and held it with both hands and pointed the pistol at the cottage and walked over to the small home. 

You can guess that curiosity got the best of me but I was still very careful and alert I did not want to take the chance of being caught off guard by a pony or a wild animal. As I got closer I noticed small birdhouses and a chicken coop along with other small homes that looks like dog houses. I lowered my pistol and slowly moved my way past the chicken coop and to the big hole in the side of the cottage. But before I entered into the cottage I leveled my pistol to my chest and bent my arms ninety degrees towards me. I then quickly ran into the big hole in the cottage and straighten my arms away from me. 

This caused the pistol to be leveled and straightened out I soon scanned the room for anything or anyone that could be in the cottage just to find it empty I slowly entered the cottage leavening room. Once in the room, I swung my pistol to the left and right only to find an empty room with a blue couch that was ripped and had mold growing on it. The rest of the room was completely white no other color was present on the walls, ceiling, and floor. I then looked to my left to see on the wall a box with what looks like a medical symbol on it but more like a tattoo. On the box, there was a mark of three butterflies all flying in a different direction from each other also the box itself was green in color but more of a faded green anyway. 

I walked towards it and put my pistol back in my left pants pocket and started to search for a way to open the medical box only to find a button on the side of the box. You would think that there would be a handle to open the box but no it was a button. I pressed the button and soon the box opened up for me to find two bottles of unknown liquid and two rolls of bandages. I took all four items the first roll of the bandages I wrapped around my right hand to stop the bite wound from getting anything in it and to stop the bleeding which was not as bad as it once was. But as soon as I was done wrapping it around my hand I felt a little tickle and pinch then nothing curious I unwrapped the bandage to find my wound completely healed. 

My next thought was how the fuck is that possible and how could a single bandage heal someone that fast. I soon and quickly took the two bottles of unknown liquid and put them in my right pants pocket along with the last roll of the fucking logic breaking healing bandages as I will now call them until I get the correct saying for these bandages. After searching the rest of the cottage to find nothing else of importance I left the cottage and went back on the dirt path. But I only took a couple more steps to find the forest entrance right in front of me. Finally, I found the entrance now all I had to do was enter this forest and then exit the forest and then supposedly the settlement should be there by the exit of this forest. 

The entrance looks like an arc shape and is wide enough for at least two people to enter in at the same time it was made by the looks of it by vines and tree branches. That at the base of the entrance the vines came out from the ground and the tree branches by the looks of it were placed there. The vines we're blue in color and were glowing green the tree branches we're black and had the look of decay on them. But besides that, it looked okay to enter so I walked closer to the entrance and with one last look behind me I entered the forest. It was not actually dark inside due to the glow of vines on the trees and the dirt path was still here but there was a lot of foliage and weird plants to get through. 

But besides that, the walkthrough this forest was not so bad. Then I heard the snap of twigs and branches to the left and right of me I soon pulled out my pistol but not fast enough as something very fast hit me hard in my stomach and took my breath away as I hit the tree behind me. I looked up just in time to see a claw came bearing down on me but I had enough time to dodge the impending attack I rolled across the dirt and quickly got up to see three wolves made out of wood and vines but yet are much larger than any wolf that I have seen snarl and growl at me. I just had to say it didn't I. The biggest one out of the three of them got closer to me and looked down at the ground to see my pistol which it with a great amount of force destroyed it with its wooden paw a bit of shrapnel flew and grazed my arm. 

This, of course, did not help my situation as the sudden pain made me go down on my knees and hold my arm to stop the blood from coming out of my body and hopefully stop the bleeding. The wolf noticed this and pounced on me pinning me down. He then bit deep into my left arm and started to tug. I screamed as I felt like my arm was about to be ripped from my body. With my right hand, I started to in a manic search for a weapon my hand grazed over the shrapnel that hit me. 

I picked it up and with as much force stab the wolf in the neck it barely even noticed that it just got stabbed in the neck. So I did it again and again and again while I closed my eyes in hopes that I don't have to see my arm ripped from my body. Sap and twigs and vine splattered all over my face and neck and soon I felt the tugging stop I opened my eyes to see the wooden wolf's head detached from its body its teeth and mouth was still embedded in my arm. Its body was slumped over and fell to the ground with a loud thud. The other two wooden wolves were about to attack and finish me off but then a song a soft song that sounded more like a whisper rang out throughout the forest and to my surprise the put their tails between their legs turned to the left and ran through the bushes they came from. 

I with much pain got up from the ground and when I looked at my left arm I winced the head was still attached and by the looks of it would not come off with ease. And the amount of blood coming from my arm was a large amount. If I did not get help soon then I would be dead and humanity along with it and that is not about to happen. I reached down and luckily picked up a stick and put it up and put it in my mouth. I put my right hand on the wooden wolf head and started to push. 

The amount of pain started to make my vision blurry with tears I then pushed the head along with the jaw of my left arm. The teeth are too deep in my arm to get out my vision started to blur due to the amount of blood I was losing. I then started to run the song that I could not understand kept on going. And then I saw light coming from a bundle of bushes finally the exit. I ran out from the bundle of bushes then the next thing I know I started to fall down a hill but before then I saw the settlement of New Appaloosa and once at the bottom of the hill I cried out for help but I knew that no one would understand me my eyes grew heavy and before I closed them probably for the last time shadows started to form around me well outlines of ponies well at least I won't die alone but die next to strangers. I closed my eyes and let my head fall to the ground only these ponies these strangers will decide whether I live or die.
> Chapter 5: Dreams and Direction
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

To say I was confused was an understatement. The last thing I remember was falling down a hill from that strange damned forest and then going unconscious. The next thing I know I am surrounded by planes of tall grass and farmland as far as I can see. It reminds me of home before the war. I started walking through the fields to find a house or something at least close to it. 

I was walking for about what felt like eternity when I spotted a large hill with a single large oak tree. It’s branches reaching to the sky. I started to walk towards the large oak tree when I heard a faint humming sound. It only got louder as I ascended up the hill. Once up the hill I saw something that had me do a double take. 


Looking out to the field was a creature that has a long furry body but it’s limbs were the weird part about it. For one it had an arm of a lion and a leg of a chicken for another arm. It had wings too, one was bat-like and the other feathery. It’s legs were one of a dragon and another from a deer. Lastly it had a horn and an antler. 

Before I could turn around and run this creature turned to me and spoke. “Well if it isn’t Mr. Taylor. Do not worry I won’t hurt you. Instead I must do something and speak to you about something most important.” I was hesitant to turn around and speak with such a creature but of course my curiosity got the better of me in the end. 

As I slowly walked up to the creature it summoned a round table and two chairs. It gestured for me to sit which I did. It also sat down across from me and spoke. “Now then let’s get some introductions out of the way. My name is discord but I already know much about you Mr. Taylor. 

For one you were captain of the 234rd shock core of elite shock troops that was a part of the siege of Sevastopol. Though you left the military after Sevastopol was taken. Then you decided to get married back home. Though she and your unborn child died at the hands of a drunk driver. You blame yourself for their deaths even to this day don’t you? 

Anyway you were then invited to a project to save the world which of course you were hesitant to join not believing that your world could ever be saved. Though you joined anyway because you felt you had to do something right in your world. So am I on the ball or?” A sly grin played across Discord’s face as he told my tale to me. 

Before I could speak or retort discord raised his hand. “Ah I almost forgot about your little language barrier which thank goodness I am able to bypass in this landscape of yours. So how about I remove that barrier for you?” Discord raised his hands and I felt like something clicked in my mind and a lump in my throat was suddenly removed. “Now try to speak.” 

I cleared my throat a couple of times and spoke. “First of all how do you know about me? Second off what do you want with me?” 

All Discord did was give a light chuckle. “I almost forgot that humans ask so many questions. Well let’s just say that I have the ability to go places most people can’t and your world is most interesting with the amount of chaos in it. Though your life I found most interesting for chaos seems to follow you like a plague of sorts. Not a single moment of your life has been stable in the least. 

Which is most interesting so I decided to take a personal interest in your plight and goals. So here I am helping you out. Now on to your second question: what do I want from you is simply free me. Then in return I shall give you info on how to get your people over here and start helping build back up this crumbling world. Though before you do that I need you to find someone a mare by the name of blackjack.“

I crossed my arms and looked at Discord dead in those golden eyes. “Okay I have three more questions. One, how do I know you will keep your end of the bargain? Two are you some sort of god or something? Three where will I find this blackjack pony?” 

Discord just summoned a tea cup from nowhere and took a sip and placed down the teacup. “To answer your first question you can trust me since helping you is in my best interest at the moment. Two the time of gods and goddesses died when those blasted bombs fell and destroyed this once beautiful world. I am simply a creature with too much time on his hands and wants to help rebuild this world one way or another. To answer your third question I know she is in an area called the Hoofington wasteland or just the hoof as the locals call it. 

Before you ask for specifics I can only say this last I heard of her exploits she is in a town called Flank. Though I can not tell you more since I don’t know anything past that regarding her. Now then I must warn you that this pony is a bit much to say the least and very crazy at times. Also know this Mr. Taylor you are not a hero in her story you will be just another companion in her merry gang of misfits at least for a little bit. Also this wasteland is a horrid place that is unforgiving. 

So keep your head on a swivel and your gun loaded.” A loud ringing sound rang out from what seemed all around us. Discord got up from his seat and looked back at me. “Ah it seems you are waking up my dear friend. Do not worry this will not be the last we speak to each other. See you around.” 

Discord then just disappeared with a bright flash of light. Then the world around me started to fall apart. I then woke up to the sound of beeping. I looked to my left to see some sort of machine working on a pony. I tried to move to no avail. I looked at my wrists and feet to see restraints on them. Then I took in my surroundings. 

The room I was in looks like it has seen better days. There was paint peeling off the walls, there were cracks in the floorboards and walls. Where there were supposed to be windows there appeared to be broken or just completely gone. Indeed this clinic has seen better days. Off to the left I tried to get a better look at that pony I saw when I woke up. The pony in question was a stallion with mane color of black and white. While his body color was black with white dots littered around his body while his snout was pure white. 

On the side of his butt was a mark that looked like a revolver and some bottle caps along with an envelope next to the bottle caps. I looked back up at his face to see that he was staring at me as well. Awkward silence followed until two sets of doors opened wide. A mare stood and looked at us both then walked towards me. Her mane was red with yellow dots in it while her body color was red. 

She wore a doctor's lab coat that only covered half her body, and her mark on her flank was a red cross crossed by two syringes. She came up to my bed and spoke. “Well looks like someone is up and about. Thought you were dead when we pulled you out of the Everfree Forest most don’t survive an Timberwolves bite.” 

I laughed. “Looks like I am the lucky few eh?” She gave a light chuckle. I then shook the cuffs. “So why the cuffs doctor?” 

She looked hesitant to answer. “Well let’s just out of all the things to come out the forest you’re the weirdest. So the mayor of New Appaloosa decided to keep you here for a little bit until you awoke and he would talk with you. Look nothing personal but folks here are a little cautionary when it comes to things we don’t know about.” 

I shrugged my shoulders well as best I could with restraints on. “Seems perfectly reasonable to me. I won’t complain. Also I would like to thank you for saving my life, miss? 

“Ah the name is Red Cross , and your name is.” 

I gave a brief smile. “My name is Taylor and it is a pleasure to meet you Red Cross. I would shake your hoof but you know.” I gave the cuffs a good rattle. She then laughed and went over to the stallion I saw earlier and started to talk with him. I could not hear their conversation they were having but by the quick looks they were giving me I could tell they were talking about me. 

Soon the stallion stepped out of the machine and left the building I was in. Later, Red Cross left to go to sleep and left me to my own thoughts. To say that I was in a weird situation was an understatement. First off I am visited in my dreams by a creature known as Discord which knows all about me. Second is the fact that I have to trust said creature for a chance to get more people over here to help this crumbling world as he put it. Then I have to try and find the only other person who came with me here and find out what is happening. 

Then on top of that I have to find one pony travel with them in the hopes that she frees Discord. From there I don’t know save what’s left of humanity. Sounds like a good plan but not all plans work as they are supposed to. I should probably get some rest who knows what these ponies have in store for me. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. 

I awoke to my bed being shook. I opened my eyes slowly and then looked to the right of me to see Red Cross looking at a clipboard. I then looked to the left of me to see a stallion with a big cowboy hat on and a checkered suit on. His mane and body color was just brown. He gave a small smile and spoke. “Well then sorry to wake you but once the doctor over here told me you were ready and able I had to come over and talk with ya. “ 

He simply sat down and continued his talk with me. “Now I don’t ask many questions since that’s a good way to get yourself killed around here, but I must ask something of you. I ask that for saving your life you take care of a problem for me. Do you agree?.” 

I thought about it for a minute and decided that helping these ponies was the least I could do to repay them for saving my life. “Well I have to guess you are the mayor of this town correct?” He simply gave a nod. “Well then I will help you but I need my stuff back along with my weapon. Lastly I need a map of sorts so I can find my way to a place called Flank. Does that sound reasonable to you mayor?” 

He nodded his head. “Sounds reasonable to me. Now then doctor could you remove the restraints off our guest here please.” Red Cross proceeded to take off my restraints. “Now then unto business shall we? First off there have been raids on our supply’s coming from other settlements along the road that leads to the settlement. We believe that there is a base that these raiders are operating from. I already got a pony who scouted the base last night. So head over there and deal with all the raiders there.” 

I simply nodded my head. “Excellent! I shall get the pony who scouted out the base for you to guide you to the base and from there I leave the rest to you.” He then walked away and out of the clinic. The last of the restraints were removed and I was able to finally stretch my legs and my arms. Then I got off the bed and Red as I will now call her led me to my stuff which was in a chest. She opened up to reveal my armor and single 9mm pistol. 

The armor itself was a technological advantage to regular body armor back home. It was more like power armor. The armor can protect up to 50 cal rounds but was weak at the joints. The helmet itself was the true masterpiece. It had a heads up display and showed my vitals and the armor itself was very flexible to move in compared to the much heavier variant of this armor. I put on the armor and looked at the helmet which looked like a Greek hoplite helmet but much more futuristic as some would say. 

Though this model the model X is pretty old compared to the new models on the line, but it will have to do since this was the armor I wore during the battle for Sevastopol years ago and the project heads decided I could bring my armor along. So there were positives to my situation I guess. I then put on the helmet and holstered my pistol. I turned to Red who just looked a bit nervous at me which I could hardly blame her. I mean I look like I just came out of a war zone so yeah I would be frightened if I was in her position. 

The heads up display regarded her as an ally which I found weird but okay I guess. Normally such target analysis would not been done automatically instead such feature was not even supported with this model. At least I thought so but the egg heads of the operation decided to take a look at my armor. Though they did not tell me what they were going to do with it. 

Red then spoke. “Well then you seem geared up to me. Now if you will follow me outside.” I simply told her to lead on and I followed her outside to see something I did not expect a town to look like. For one as we walked through the town most people gave us a wide berth. Another thing is that most “homes” here were train cars linked or stacked upon each other. And railroad tracks led out and into the town. 

Red led me to a large rail car which she opened the door to. I walked inside to see the mayor talking with that pony I saw in the clinic yesterday. The mayor noticed us and called me over. I walked over to where he was seated behind a large desk and seated across from him was the stallion from the clinic. “Come sit down.” Which I did. “I would like to introduce you to Midnight Striker. He will be your guide to the base.” 

I simply look at him and out stretch my hand out in greeting which he shook with a hoof. The mayor then continued the conversation. “So as we agreed upon once you clear out this base I shall give you some supplies for your journey to flank plus a map. Now then see you later and I wish you best of luck.” me and Midnight got out of our seats and exited the train car. The silence between us was massive not a word was spoken as we what I had to assume were walking to the exit of the town. 

Midnight suddenly stopped and waited in front of a train car. I was about to ask what was going on when I heard a loud creaking sound. I looked behind me to see a large crane extend its arm towards us and then the mechanical arm reached out and a large magnet came down and picked up the train car in front of us. Now with a path open to the wastelands me and midnight walked out of New Appaloosa and into the wastelands. I followed Midnight on a cracked and nearly destroyed roadway. The silence was broken when Midnight spoke. “Alright I didn't say anything back nor did everypony else but I am going to say it now. What the fuck are you!?” 



The question almost made me laugh. “Well that is a simple question. I am what is known as a human. Also I am glad that someone asked me this question. It was starting to get weird when everyone was acting pretty calm back there.”

He looked up at me. I did not see his eye color before but now I know it was silver. “Well Taylor I will say this I have never seen one of your kind before today. So pardon my nature of being a bit startled. Plus my curiosity is getting the better of me so if you don’t mind answering a few more questions because this base is at least a few hours away from here.” 

I shrugged my shoulders. “I see no harm in answering a few questions.” 

He laughed. “Good because I have a lot of questions for you big guy. First question: where are you from? Because I have never seen something like you in the wastelands.” 

I wore a nervous look underneath my helmet. I worry about how he would react when he knows that I am not even from this planet. “Well let’s just say I am not from these lands. I came from the far east of here.” I looked down at Midnight who looked suspicious but decided to not press further. 

We continued to walk on the road for an hour, nothing happening when I asked a question. “So I thought I was a dead man when I fell from that hill and into your town. I thought you guys would leave me for dead since I was something you never seen before thus why did you take the risk to save me?” 

Midnight took a few minutes to answer but answer he did. “Some of us wanted to leave you for dead. We did not want to waste medical supplies on something we did not understand but Red Cross wanted to save you and convinced us to let you receive medical help. So the mayor let you in even though many cautioned against it.” 

I quickly responded back. “Were you one of the ones who disagreed with me receiving care?”

He simply said. “No, I was one of the few who wanted you to live. You can say that my curiosity was peaked. Also Red Cross judgment has almost always been in the right and not many ponies go against it unless there is evidence to prove her wrong.  Also let me guess this is your first time encountering a walking talking pony before right? So why did you not freak out or something when you first woke up?” 

I simply shrugged. “ Let’s just say I was trained to expect the unexpected. I keep an open mind as much as I can so I don’t allow simple situations turn into disaster.” That I did not lie about when the project was in its early stages let’s just say most trainers in the project taught the trainees real quick that anything could be behind that portal. So they taught them the best they could. I was one of those trainers so I try to live up the best to my own teachings as I can. Though the last thing I was expecting through this portal was a grey and broken world full of ponies. 

Before either one of us could continue Midnight stopped me. “Looks like we are here.” I looked ahead of us and a large tunnel was before us. A wooden wall was blocking the entrance into the tunnel through two large wooden doors stood in the middle of the wall and on top of the walls on stakes and at the end of each of them was a ponies head. I gave a light shiver and pulled out my pistol ready to charge. I took two steps forward only to have him stop me. 

“Look I know you want to get this job done quickly but this was once a trading hub or pitstop. It had its own guards and even turrets you go charging in there you might as well shoot yourself now. I say this because a large group of raiders must have taken this place recently. So I will cause a distraction by using the crap ton of explosives I have in my saddle bags. Then you come in guns ablazing. Okay?” 

I simply nodded. A couple minutes later and I was waiting behind a rock. I looked over the rock to see Midnight walking close to the gate. I noticed that a couple of ponies were now on the walls themselves but have yet to look down. He also seemed to notice this and quietly rushed to the walls and out of the saddle bags as he called them pulled out an apple? He fiddled with it for a little bit and then threw it down alongside his saddle bags and ran yelling what I had to guess profanities at the raiders. The raiders noticed him and took potshots at him, some opened the gates and four of them ran after him. 

A few seconds later and a large explosion happened sending ponies flying off the walls probably killing some and injuring others. I took this as my cue and ran towards the breach that was caused by the explosion. One pony quickly recovered and noticed me running towards the breach she quickly levitated an assault rifle aimed and started to fire. I quickly nelt down and fired two shots one went wide the other went through her skull. She fell down dropping her weapon all I could think of was great now they have magic. A second pony came out of the breach wielding an axe gripped in magic. 

He lunged at me. I dropped my pistol as I had no time to holster it. Then grabbed the axe and the magic field around it instantly broke. The stallion surprised by this did not have time to register an axe cutting his head off. The look of surprise still evident on his decapitated head. I then picked up my pistol wiping the sand off it and charged into the breach. To then be hit by multiple bullets from unknown enemies. 

I found the closest cover I could find lucky the bullets did not pin my armor but it left me just a bit shocked. I dived behind a concrete barrier then looked over my cover to notice two ponies with dual machine guns attached to their sides firing at my cover which I quickly stopped peaking. I then looked across from me to see a pony with a bit of wooden shrapnel stuck in her throat choking on her own blood and next to her one of those strange looking apples. I crawled to it, picked it up and examined it and realized that this was a grenade. At least it seemed to have the same mechanisms as a grenade. I then pulled the pin, released the hammer, and threw it at the two raiders. 

They realized what I had thrown but could not get away in time one exploded in blood and gore. The second one's back legs flew off and landed behind me. I then walked up to the crawling raider and put a bullet in his head. I finished off any of the other wounded raiders by the breach. After that a large pony wearing makeshift metal armor burst out from a makeshift wooden building wielding a sword of fire in its mouth. I took my pistol and shot at the charging raider most of what was left of my mag glanced off his armor but two shots hit home. 

The first shot went right through his throat and the second went through his eye. He landed face first on the pavement dropping his sword which stopped emitting fire from it. I walked over to the raiders corpse and picked up the sword. I examined it and it looked like an officer's sword. On the cross guard was of two spread wings one of dark blue and one of pure white. I then noticed a button on the grip. I pressed it and the edges of the sword lit up with fire but instead of red it was blue flames. I then went over to the corpse and picked up the scabbard and with the rope attached to the scabbard wrapped  it around my waist. I then looted what 9mm ammo I could find.  I also sadly found the remnants of the previous owners of this place partly eaten and missing their heads. I then exited the building and went through the breach to the outside. I waited for about ten minutes before Midnight showed up bruised and had blood on his body.

Though he looked bruised he does  not appear to have any other wounds. He then stopped in front of me and looked at me. “ So I take it that you cleared out the rest of the bastards.” I simply nodded my head. “Are there any survivors?” I shook my head at this. “Looks like we were too late then.” 

He put his head down slowly and then I rested an armored hand on his shoulder. “Look at the bright side, at least no more traders along this portion of the trade route are going to be attacked by a group of raiders eh?” 

He lifted his head up to look at me. “I guess we cheer at the small victories in this blasted wasteland. Come on let's head back and tell the mayor what happened.” So we departed from the raider base and made it back to New Appaloosa. Me and Midnight explained what happened at the base. In return for helping them out I was given supplies, caps, and a map of the wasteland. I gave my final thanks to Red Cross and was about to leave the settlement when Midnight came rushing over to me. “I am going with you. Simple as that you don’t know the wasteland as I do so I will help fill you in on the way to flank. Plus I need to deliver a letter there anyway.” I then exited the settlement and we started our way towards Flank.





 
> Chapter 6: Long Roads
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The walk to Flank would take three days as Midnight said before we left New Appaloosa which as of course I was used to walking without transportation vehicles. Though I will admit it was starting to get a bit hard on my legs since the terrain was a bit difficult to traverse. For the first day Midnight explained as much as he could of the dangers of the Wasteland. In my opinion I was surprised I was not dead yet with how many things can kill you on this blasted world. If the hostile environment does not kill you then the monsters will, and if the monsters and the environment don’t kill you then the ponies will either to make a cap or just for fun. 

A problem I ran into is that while the power armor I wear is light and does not consume as much energy as the heavy power armor variants. It still needs power cores to run and I only had one on me and it was now at half charge after just one day of wearing the armor. So I proposed where we could find similar cores like the one in my power armor. Midnight mentioned that here was a Robronco store nearby they could loot if it has not been looted already that is.  The location of the store was in the outskirts of Manehattan which is only a couple more hours of a walk to reach Manehattan. 

We also on our journey passed by other settlements but decided not to go in them. Mainly due to the fact that some ponies might overreact to my presence or something. Though I did not enter the other settlements I still was curious as to how different each settlement was to each other. Oh well nothing I can do now but just keep pressing on. The sky above us was filled with grey clouds as far as the eye could see. 

Also everything we came across not a single sign of anything growing, not even a patch of grass. At least the roadways seemed somewhat intact. Though the buildings we came across here and there seemed to want and fall in on themselves. As we walked along a broken highway I decided to start up a conversation. “So Midnight, why did you decide to tag along with me? I mean you hardly know me.” I looked at Midnight as we walked and he seemed to think about the question for a minute. 
    
Then he responded. “To be honest with you I just wanted to help somepony… er someone for once in this blasted place. I have survived in this Wasteland for now twenty-five years. Plus you don’t seem like a bad guy to me at least.” He said.

We continued to walk in silence for a little bit longer before I spoke up. “Thanks for the help and the kind words even though it’s probably going to be the only nice thing about this Wasteland. Also what can we expect from Manehattan?” I said. 

He stopped for a moment and rubbed the back of his neck and spoke. “ You’re welcome, also as for the dangers of Manehattan well, that’s a long list. You or rather we have to look out for raiders, slavers, ghouls, haywire robots, Alicorns, massive pockets of radiation, and many other things. Let’s just say that most things in that ruin of a city could kill us.” With each danger he listed off his tone changed from monotone to a little bit angry when he got to the word Alicorn. 

I ran down the dangers he listed off and I had to say that yep this place equals death if we run into major trouble in the city. Plus seeing as the armor I am wearing is the only good protection I have at the moment, well let’s just say I have to reach that store before the end of the day. Which was hard to determine since of the massive cloud cover that blocks out the sun. A couple more hours passed as we walked along making some small talk here and there but besides that nothing else eventful happened.  

That was until we reached the city outskirts and well I had to stop for a moment just to take in what I was seeing. The city itself looked like it was about to fall apart. All the buildings that I could see were by the looks of it blasted apart. Though some of the skyscrapers still stood tall. There were two massive bridges connecting the rest of the wasteland to the city or at least what’s left of it. 

Midnight continued to walk but then looked back at me. “Are you going to stand and gawk all day or are you coming along?” I quickly shook my head and ran up alongside Midnight. He then sighed. “Well as you can see this city is Manehattan or at least what’s left of it after the bombs dropped. Now then we got a couple more hours before it gets dark… well darker than it is.

“Now then the only really “safe” place in this city is Tenpony Tower. We can get some rooms and rest till morning. From there we can make the rest of the journey to Flank and get you some spark cores  in that Robronco store I mentioned. Sounds like a plan?” 

I simply nodded at him. “Sounds like a plan Stan.” 

At this Midnight turned around and gave me a confused look. “Who the buck is Stan?” 

I nearly facepalmed. “It’s a joke I was trying to be funny I guess.” 

He looked at me and realized or at least got a hint of the joke. He gave a small chuckle. “I was not expecting that. I didn't peg you to be the funny guy.” 

I shrugged my shoulders. “Eh I have my moments.” I then started to walk on the bridge to enter the city. Midnight followed behind me then moved beside me. The road or rather interstate we walked on was covered in old rusty carriages and pony corpses of bones lay everywhere. 

As we walked and closer to the city I noticed many different groups of ponies entering the city. They had large animals that looked like cows except they had two heads and on their backs were boxes. Keeping the boxes on the back of the cow was a large net tied to the stomach of the cow to hold the net in place. We passed by these groups of ponies and many did not pay us any attention. While others seemed cautious the ones that were armed that is. 

As we passed by them and entered the city we were met with silence at least for the most part there were sounds of distant gunfire here and there. As we continued to walk along the dead streets of the city we heard ahead of us gunfire and yelling. I pulled out my pistol immediately and ran towards the sounds. I heard Midnight behind me questioning why we were running towards the gunfire instead of away from it, but I ignored him. I just had this gut feeling that just would not go away like something just nagging at the back of mind to do something. 

Though these feelings came from I don’t know, but something willed me to go towards the gunfire and yelling instead of away from it. I turned the corner of the street I was on to see something that made a rage burn inside me. In front of me there were two groups of ponies, one was laying down their weapons, and they looked worse for wear. Some of them had wounds and were limping. Others were fine but had frightened looks on their faces. 

There were a total of five in the group I looked at and as for the other side. They had a total of twelve in there’s. Though the other side had cages and shackles that they were holding. The cages were starting to get loaded off of wooden carts, and some of the ponies who surrendered were starting to get shackled. Something snapped in my brain and a soft voice sounded in my head. “Go and save them.” 

I didn’t think twice as I charged my helmet hud lit up as it highlighted friends from foe. I pulled out the sword I got from the raider I killed a day ago and as I did a blue flame lit around the sword. I fired three quick shots which hit one of the slavers in the shoulder and another in the head. I then rushed two enemies who were near me. I shoulder checked one into a rusty iron cage. The second one I whipped around and plunged the sword right through the ponies neck. 

I kicked the lifeless corpse off my flaming sword. I then heard a shout from a pony in the back pointing at me and yelling. “Kill that thing now!” 
I got into cover as three slaver’s started to fire at me. The cover behind me was a rusty carriage though it looked more close to a car. As I hid behind cover I looked over it and fired three shots at one of my assailants two shots missed but a third struck home. I heard an audible “buck” before I started to take fire my way. 

I then looked over to see that the ponies I was trying to save were being loaded into the cages. Aw hell no! I thought as I vaulted over my cover and towards the cages. Two slaver’s were firing at me trying to protect a third that was loading the captured ponies into the cages. I took the incoming fire and fired off three shots two of which killed one slaver that was shooting at me. The third bullet hit the other slaver in its front left leg. 

He dropped his gun he had in his mouth and winced in pain. I then moved my sword and sliced open his neck a shower of blood landed on my armor but I kept moving on. The one slaver who was rushing the captured ponies into the cages went pale as I pistol whipped him knocking him out instantly. I then turned to the captured ponies and cut the chains that were on them. Which melted as my sword went through the metal like butter. They immediately rushed out of the open cages and started picking up weapons. 

They then ran behind cover and started firing at the remaining slavers. Which distracted them as I flanked the line of cars they were taking cover behind. Though before I could attack the slavers behind cover I felt something hit me from behind hard. Which sent me flying a few feet. I landed on the cracked pavement hard. My gun went flying out of my left hand which landed outside my reach. 

I tried to reach for it and face what the hell just sent me flying. Only to be flipped around and face to face with the slaver who I shoulder bashed into one of the cages. He snarled at me for which I saw his rotten yellow teeth. A line of red blood flowed from the left side of his head. He wore some crude makeshift leather metal armor. Though his head was not protected which gave me a clear opening. He then reared up his front two legs to try and crush my helmet along with my head. I then shoved my sword that was in my right hand through his skull. 

A look of surprise was stuck on his face then his eyes rolled back into his head and he went limp. He landed on top of me. I quickly pushed him off of me. I then looked over to the battle behind me to see that we were winning. Only three slavers were left. I then pulled my sword out of my opponent's head and charged at the remaining three. At the sound of large metallic feet rushing towards them they all looked behind them at me and their eyes shrunk to pinpricks.

One of them bolted to the left only to get riddled with holes. The second bolted to the right only to get shot through the skull as a loud bang sounded from the other side of the street. The third just ran towards me with rage in her eyes. She fired at me with everything she got for which her bullets just bounced off my armor. I then arched my sword down and cut off her head. Her padded leather armor burned almost to a crisp at the touch of my sword. 

Her body instintaly fell down along with her head. I looked behind me to see a pool of blood forming around her. I then put the blade back into its scabbard, doing so put out the flame of the sword as it now rested on my hip. I then walked over to the sidewalk and picked up my pistol and wiped off some specks of pavement that was on it. I then holstered it and then walked towards the group I saved. 
    
Only to see Midnight talking with one of the ponies. A mare with a dark red mane and a coat of brick color. Her eyes were a bright red. She wore a simple ball cap which has seen better days. She also was wearing a security guard armor which seemed to cover the rest of body besides her wings and tail. Wait a minute, wings? Guess there are Pegasi here alongside unicorns and what did Midnight say he was, aw yes earth ponies. 

I quickly walked over to the two; they did not seem to notice me as I approached them. I caught some of their conversation. “Rose, what are you doing outside of Tenpony Tower?” 

She gave him a bemused look. “I was scavenging for ammo and weapons to sell in my shop and give to the tower. You know so I can stay in the tower and don’t get kicked out for being lazy. It was going alright until we got ambushed by these slavers.” She proceeded to kick at one of the dead body’s of the slavers. “Now I have to try and scavenge what I can that wasn’t destroyed by these basterds. “ 

She then looked away from Midnight and walked into me bumping her head on my waist. She looked up at me and gulped. She then turned to Midnight. “Alright what have you gotten yourself into this time? Also by the looks of it you guys need something. Lastly by Luna’s tits you have got some explaining to do. “ 

Midnight gave a nervous chuckle and rubbed one of his hooves against the back of his head. “Yeah, well Rose that’s a somewhat long story. Though to make it simpler let’s just say that we need a place to rest and stay until morning. I know we didn’t leave on very good terms, but you and I know the Wasteland is even worse at night.” 

Faded Rose just looked at Midnight and then up to me and then let out a heavy groan. “Ugh fine but you promise me some answers. Plus it’s the least I could do for you, saving me and my friends' flanks and all.” We then started to loot the dead and salvage any armor and weapons we could find and put them on the slavers carts. We also burned the dead. Some of the other ponies that were with Rose cried at the sight of losing some of their friends. After that was done we boarded the second cart and started to move towards another highway. 

As we traveled along I started to get lost in thought. For one, what was that sudden will to help this group of ponies. I mean I would have helped them anyway but I just went in without much of a plan. Which I don’t normally do. Then that voice in the back of my head was not my own. Lastly that sudden blast of emotion came from nowhere and seemed to leave just as it came. 

I don’t allow my emotions to override my decisions and actions. I learned that the hard way when I had to lead men during war. Something is going on more then what I have felt or seen so far and I don’t like it. I felt someone poke at my right arm. I looked over and saw Midnight looking up at me. “You alright big guy you seem a bit out of it.” 

I shrugged my shoulders. “I was just lost in thought that’s all. mainly just about this weird place I find myself in.” 

Midnight gave me a worried look. “Well I have been trying to get your attention for five minutes now. So mind telling me what’s on your mind. Also I saw you just blindly charge into that group of slavers, but you went in by yourself which made me a bit worried. By the time I caught up to you the fight was nearly over. “ 

I replied. “Let’s just say that if I waited for you they would have already been chained and put into the cages, so I charged in before they could do so. Also just this part of the world is new to me so I am just taking it in, sorry to make you worry about little old me.” Still keeping up that lie. If anyone finds out why I am really here I don’t know how they would react much less do.  

Midnight just crossed his front two legs together and shook his head. “Fair point, but running blindly into danger without thinking will get you killed one day. Though thanks for saving one of my “friends” back there.” He then looked out at the city around us. Silence fell over everyone, not many of the ponies talked instead just keeping to themselves. 

I decided to return to my thoughts when I saw something pop up on my hud. It simply read. “Nearing the location of Tenpony Tower.” I was taken by surprise for a moment. Never had my suit say locations that I was nearing. Though my suit never showed who was friend or foe before either. I will have to check my armor and see what exactly those scientists did to my armor. 

I looked to the left of me to see that we were nearing a tall tower though it looked more in one piece rather than falling apart. It also had a large radio tower on the top of the building. Though a section of the building looked pretty damaged compared to the rest of the building. Then as we neared close to the building I looked down from the cart we were in and noticed a ramp attached to the highway we were on. Our little group descended from the highway onto the ramp. Then from the ramp to the entrance to the building. 

Two massive double doors laid in front of us plus a massive blue neon sign was above the door saying. “Welcome to Tenpony Tower.” I then noticed about twenty or so guards around the entrance. The guards were checking people in and patting them down. Along with denying people entrance. Then Rose went up to one of the guards and pointed at us and then pointed at the cargo she and what the rest of her group scavenged. The guard cast me a nervous look but after some talking with Rose she seemed to relax a bit. 

She then nodded her head and with a wave of her hoof our group was allowed entrance. Though we could not take our weapons into the building and we could only get them back once we were leaving the tower. They allowed me to wear my armor. Once inside the tower interior I looked around in awe as the interior had to be the most clean building I have seen in this Wasteland so far. Plus the floor we walked on was marble, the walls were made of oak wood, there were shops that sold food, goods, weapons and armor, and one shop sold nothing but sofas and quills.

 I was taken out of my awe as Rose nudged me to get my attention. “Yeah I know it’s quite a sight but let’s get to my room. I have quite a lot of questions for the both of you.” She then looked over at one of the ponies lugging the cart around. “Oi Silver! Get that cart to my shop and start unloading the merchandise into the store will ya!” 

Silver just nodded her head and took the other two ponies away from us and towards the marketplace. Meanwhile Rose just led us up a flight of stairs two the second level. She led us through a set of doors that opened up to reveal the lounge area where there were restaurants and areas to rest and talk with one another.  Instead of getting a bite to eat much to my stomachs displeasure. Rose then went over to an elevator's entrance and exit she pressed a button which called one down. We entered the elevator and after finding which floor she lived on she pressed the button. 

The ride up to floor eighteen was pretty quiet, no one talked to each other. As we exited the elevator once it reached our destination we headed up some stairs close to the elevator. This led to a long hallway with doors on either side leading to what I had to guess rooms. We followed Rose to her room and she opened the door. As we entered the room I decided to look around. The room itself was pretty large. It's more like an apartment than anything. 

For one the living room had a couch and a large rectangular wooden table in front of it. On the table there were newspapers on it with a few bottles of alcohol near the ends of the table. There was one bathroom, a kitchen, two bedrooms, and of course the living room. Rose just plumed down on the couch and sighed. She then lifted up her head and looked at Midnight and I. “Well don’t just stand there make yourselves comfortable.” 

Midnight went to the kitchen and hanged his new saddlebags on a chair. He got the new pair in New Appaloosa after his last pair exploded. He then found a cabinet and found some box of apple slices? I’ll probably have to ask about that later. I went into one of the bedrooms and started to get out of this armor. The armor itself is split into six parts. Two for the legs, two for the arms, the chest, and finally the helmet. Each part can attach and detach from the chest part of the armor through the user's voice. It can only do this action if they hear my voice though as each set of armor can only accept its users voice no other voice can activate this command. 

After taking off the arms and legs of the armor I felt my chest pieces sliding plates go up which makes the chest piece easily portable. After that I took off my helmet which allowed the light of the room to assault my eyes. Once my eyes adjusted to the light I pulled my arms in and lifted the chest piece over my head and down to the floor. I then looked at my helmet. The helmet itself was designed based on an ancient hoplite warriors helmet. Though of course heavily modified. 

Instead of a plume of horse hairs it was of metal which is attached to the helmet and goes from the top of the helmet to the back and it was painted a gold color. This is not only for show of course I could headbutt someone and the thick metal could break a nose or cut into my opponent. The visor color was ember. The rest of the helmet was painted grey with red waves going from the grill of the helmet all the way back to the other side of the helmet. I then looked inside the helmet to find a picture at the dome of the helmet. I picked it up and looked at it.

The picture showed my family at least before I lost them. It showed my wife five months pregnant with my second son her bright red hair and green eyes smiling at the camera. While my first son, only seven years of age was giving his biggest smile he could his blue eyes and dark red hair in a jumbled mess. Then there was me resting my head on my wife’s left shoulder and wrapping my arms around them. My black hair was straight and organized and my blue eyes looked at the camera giving it a smile. 

I sat down on the bed and I sighed. I then looked once more at the picture. It hasn’t even been a full year since I learned about my family’s death. I found out by letter as we were done with the siege of the city of Sevastopol in Russia after only four years of siege and many who I called friends died along with hundreds of thousands dead on both sides. I was told by my colonel that a letter had arrived for me. 

I read the letter which told of my family's death due to a drunk driver which t-boned my wife’s car which sent it through the railing in the other lane of traffic which was mostly clear. From there the vehicle went into the woods and got stuck between two large trees. I later found out that my wife bled out due to a puncture wound which killed my unborn son and hit her vital organs. My son died due to severe head trauma. Let's just say his death was quick. I went to the funeral and after that I decided I wanted to relist. I had nothing back home. 

Tears started falling onto the picture as I clenched my free hand as tight as I could. After fucking years of facing the horrors of war I thought I could go back home to a happy simple life hell thats all I ever fucking wanted. No instead life just wanted to fuck with me more. Now I am stuck in another cruel world full of death and bloodshed. Now I am humanity’s only hope to save itself from the grave it dug itself. I guess one thing that Discord said was true: not a single moment of my life was without chaos. 


Tears streamed from my face when the realization of the task in front of me finally hit me. Save humanity hell I can’t seem to even save myself. I heard knocking at the door. I looked over to see Midnight and Rose standing in the open doorway both wore looks of concern at the state they were seeing me in. Midnight walked in cautiously and sat down in front of me, looked at the picture, the ring I still had on my right hand, and lastly at the armor laid around the room. 


He then looked at me, his grey eyes looked into my blue. He then took in a deep breath and spoke. “I know when I first met you I had this feeling that you were a person that had something to hide. Something just seemed to be gnawing at you. You do seem to be a nice guy but has a lot of baggage with you. I told myself buck it, I might as well tag along with you to see what happens.” 


Midnight then pointed at me. “You always seemed distant as well as though you were confused about everything around you. So I also decided to help you since well you don’t seem like you belong here. As a courier for some time now you have to start to read ponies and their intentions heavily in the Wasteland. So when I looked at you I just took at most an educated guess and wondered what your story is. So can I ask what is your true story? Also please don’t tell me another lie no pony has gone past the griffin lands or even known what’s beyond their lands.” 


I wiped away my tears and put the picture back inside the helmet. I then walked to the front of bed. I then dropped the helmet beside the chest piece. Then I sat down on the floor and rested my head on the bed. No point in lies anymore that Midnight read me like an open book the first day we met. Which is very fucking impressive. I gave a small laugh and waved them over to sit next to me. 

Both Midnight and Rose looked at each other then at me. They then nodded their heads in confirmation and sat on either side of me. From there I told them everything from where I truly was which was from another world. I told them that I was a soldier I served and fought in a brutal and uncaring war. How I lost my family. That I was sent into this world by a random dimensional jump to find a way to save humanity from itself. How Discord went into my dreams to task me with finding him by finding a mare by the name of Blackjack. 

From there once I helped free him he would help get some of humanity into this world. I told them about how I got separated from another member of the team who I don’t know if he is alive or not. I told them that I had no way to communicate with the human world since the device needed is probably with the other member of the team. I told them that out of a total of ten people to arrive, me and my friend North, who was the only other person to make it with me to this world. 

I explained that North is a person I must find since he most likely has the device we need to communicate to the human world. Lastly I told them that for all I know humanity has already killed itself. I finished my tale with that. I then looked to the left and right of me to see the shocked expressions of Midnight and Rose. Both of their mouths were hung open. They were like this for a good five minutes. 

To get them out of their shocked trance I had to shake them for about ten seconds. Once out of their trances they were quiet for some time before Midnight spoke up. “You know when I said you might carry a lot of baggage. I was not expecting this much. Just… how the buck is this all possible? I don't even know where to begin.”

Then Rose spoke up. “You know Midnight when I said what have you gotten into this time. I was not expecting a human tasked with saving his species with a pretty dark past to fall into your hooves.” 

Midnight then shook his head. “Neither did I Rose… neither did I.  Honestly if I had on my shoulders the task to save what is left of pony kind I would freak out and have a mental breakdown too. Even more so if I was doing it by myself. So in that regard ah what the buck I will help you.” 

Now it was my turn to be shocked. I looked at Midnight and gave him the fuck are you serious look. “You do realize you might die trying to help me right?” 

Midnight looked at me and responded. “Eh that’s a risk that I take living in this blasted world everyday.” 

I shot back. “You will most likely gain nothing from helping me.” 

He parried. “Well at least I might finally do something good for once in my life. Also at least I will be helping out a friend which feels pretty good to me.” He then narrowed his eyes and gave a small grin almost daring me to say something else. 

Two which I countered. “We literally just met like two days ago like why are you so willing to help me?” 

He shot back. “You are a good person… well as good as someone could get with all the shit you have been through. Not many good ponies left in this Wasteland. So I decided to help you so that this Wasteland doesn’t take another poor soul and turn them into a shadow of their former self. You are stuck with me and that’s that.” This just left me with keeping my mouth shut. 

Midnight then looked at Rose. “So Miss Rose, are you ready for another adventure like old times?” 

I looked over at Rose who just looked at me then at Midnight and gave a wide grin and laughed a bit. “This Midnight has got to be the craziest adventure you could have agreed to sign on for! Aw buck you know what I'm in.” She then pointed at me with one hoof. “Plus I owe this guy for saving my flank back there along with my cargo I scavenged.” 

I just turned to her and raised my eyebrow. “I… what? Don’t you live here? Don’t you own a shop here? Why would you leave it all behind just for some random person who you just met?” 

She waved a hoof at me.”Pffft, I don’t trust you fully at all, but I do trust Midnight's judgement about you. For buck’s sake I have known Midnight here for about now six years. We used to travel together before we went our separate ways a year ago. The only reason I am still breathing is because of his judgement on the different dangers we faced together in this bucking Wasteland. Plus I can have Silver look over the shop while I am gone. Plus it sure beats staying here with all these stuck up ponies thinking lower of me. So you are also stuck with me.” 

She stuck her tongue out at me then gave a playful punch at my shoulder. She then put her tongue back into her mouth and smiled at me. “Plus you don’t seem too bad of a person anyway. You are just somepony who has a shit rolling when it comes to luck. So let us lighten the load for you eh? Plus to do something good for once in this Wasteland feels great.” 

With that both Midnight and Rose got up and left the room and closed the door behind them. Which left me alone to my own thoughts. These ponies are either crazy or just don’t give two fucks about their own lives. I don’t know whether I should run away or just let them tag along. I thought about it for a good hour and decided if I do this alone then I am as good as dead. So I decided the more the merrier. 

I soon piled up my armor to the left side of the bed though before I placed down the helmet I took out the picture one more time. It may take me a long time before I can move on but I'll be damned before I don’t do something with my life besides be a bitter old man. So I pray that when it is time for me to knock on death's door that I at least did something you guys can be proud of. With that I placed down the picture back into the helmet then I placed the helmet on top of the chest piece. I then walked over and turned out the lights. Then I went under the covers of the bed and passed the fuck out. 

I found myself walking on an invisible floor which when I looked down led to darkness. To the left, right, and above me stars were around me along with distant galaxies and planets. I was extremely confused where the fuck I was. Then I heard the audible sound of hooves hitting the hard floor. I looked behind me to see well I did not exactly know who I was looking at. 

The pony in front of me had both wings and a horn. Her mane had a purple outline and also dark blue with white stars dotted her mane. Her coat was a dark blue color. The mark on her butt was a crescent moon with a dark background showing off the moon more. She also wore a crown which had a crescent moon embedded on the front of it. Oh great another god like deity wants to say hi. First it was Discord now whoever the fuck this pony is. 

She smiled at me and waved. She then bounded over to me and presented one of her hooves. “Hello fair human my name is Princess Luna. It is good to meet one of your kind.” 

I hesitated but shook her hoof. “Hello Princess Luna my name is Taylor. Nice to meet you. Though this is probably not going to be a social visit is it? 

Luna let go of my hand and sat down. I did the same. She then looked at me, her eyes softened. “Let’s just say that no this is not a social call. To get to the point I looked down on the devastated world below and noticed you and your friend appeared with the help of Discord’s magic. I have been watching you and well you could say assisting.” 

I gave her a bemused look. “What do you mean assist?” 

She rubbed one of her hooves. “You know the sword you carry with you right?” I nodded my head. “Well you see when the blue flame emits from the sword. That is a remnant of my power that I gave to that peculiar sword some time ago. Also I have taken an interest in your unfolding story and i'm here when you fall asleep and need some questions answered or just need somepony to talk to.” 

I just looked at her for a bit then remembered something Midnight told me about the events before this world became what it is today. “Wait Princess Luna aren’t you supposed to be dead?” 

Her ears went to the sides of her head and she had a sad expression written on her face. “I sadly did die when I overexerted myself trying to hold up the barrier that protected Canterlot from the zebra Balefire Bombs. Due to my death Canterlot fell and my sister fled to where I do not know. Now I find myself in the stars and dreams of which I have been here for over two hundred years.” 

She had looked away from me as she talked. A deep sadness was written on her face and also a bit of regret along with it. I knew those feelings quite well. I simply got close to her and booped her on her snout. Her face scrunched up and she looked confused at my action. “Are you sure it is not you needing company and not the other way around.” 

A slight blush appeared on her face which gave way to her rubbing her neck with one of her hooves. “I would not mind somepony to talk to for it has been far too long.” 

I then backed away from her a few inches back to where I was seated before. The stars above moved slowly across the galaxy around us. I then looked back to see Luna staring at me. “So I have to guess I am talking with your soul right now?” 

Luna just nodded her head and spoke. “This is my soul talking with your soul right now though this is not my complete soul as a part of it has gone missing to where I don’t know though I hope I can one day be truly whole again.” 

I then threw another question at her. “Wait so how are our souls talking right now anyway since you know have been stuck here for the past two hundred years?” 

Luna then looked at the stars around us and spoke. “The sword when you first activated it allowed me to make a link to your soul which thus allowed me to go into your subconscious. Though I am not stuck in your body or anything I can return here and from here I can go into your body and vice versa. Though do not worry I am not going to take over your body or anything besides being that little voice in your head from time to time. I would like to explain more but it seems you are waking up.” 

I quickly looked around then I looked at her. “What do you mean wak-.” I could not finish my sentence as a white blinding light filled my vision. Soon I felt someone shaking me awake. My eyes were squinted since I was not used to the light. 

When my eyes adjusted themselves I noticed that Midnight was standing beside the bed. He gave me a smile. “Well look who decided to finally wake up I thought I would have to start yelling at you to get you up. Get ready we are planning to leave the tower soon, but Rose made some breakfast for us so we don’t leave on an empty stomach.” He soon turned around and walked out of the room. 

I groggily got out of bed and stretched my limbs hearing the faint pops of my joints. I got up and started to put on my armor. I did not put on the helmet yet seeing as I was about to go and eat. I remade the bed to make it look better then when I left it I was about to leave the small room when I heard a loud bang. I looked around me to see where the noise came from. I then looked up to see a vent above me. I squinted my eyes and tried to see through the slits of the vents hatch. 

I saw nothing which did not calm me all that much. I quickly just shrugged my shoulders and made the excuse that it was a sound coming from another room. I then exited the room and turned out the lights plus closed the door. I then with my helmet in my left hand I went to the small kitchen table. On the table there were three plates. Each plate had on it a salad with an apple next to the plate along with a glass of water. 

Both Rose and Midnight were sitting at the table eating. They stopped for a moment to look at me. Midnight not minding me just went back to eat his food. Rose just spoke up at me. “Sorry about the small meal I have not been able to restock on food for a while so this is all I could whip up.” 

I quickly responded. “No need to apologize. I appreciate that you whipped up a meal in the first place. I have not eaten much since I got here. So any food is better than no food.” She nodded her head and went back to eating. I went over to where my plate was at. 

I then placed my helmet down by the chair and sat down in said chair which was not the most comfortable thing with wearing power armor. I then devoured the food. Once we were done eating both Midnight and Rose went into the other room and put on their equipment. Rose exited the room wearing her security body armor which was padded with Kevlar. She also had on a saddle which looked more like a harness. She also wore her worn blue ball cap. 

She did not wear a helmet since it gets in the way and causes blind spots. She then stretched her wings a bit and headed towards the exit of her apartment. Soon followed by Rose was Midnight who wore some padded leather armor with the same saddle that Rose wore his saddlebags hanging on his neck. He also did not wear a helmet. He quickly followed Rose to the exit. I followed behind him putting on my helmet and activated the hud which allowed me to see the world around me. 

We soon exited the apartment which Rose locked behind her. From there we took the elevator down to the lobby floor. We also stopped by Roses store to pick up some extra weapons, ammo, and food supplies. Rose talked with Silver to basically tell her to hold down the fort while she was gone. Which Silver agreed to do while Rose was gone. We then went down to the entrance where one of the guard stations was located at and got our original weapons that we had to leave with the guards so that we could enter the tower. 

I felt the familiar weight of the sword that was wrapped around my waist and rested at my hip. I holstered my 9mm. Then with my new edition to my arsenal was a carbine which was mag fed and not bolt action. It was black in color with red wave-like patterns going along the gun from the barrel down to the stock. It only had iron sights at the moment anyway I hope to fix that in the future. Using the leather strap attached to the gun which can be used to hang the weapon or have it rest behind your back. I did just that putting the gun on my back as the leather strap rested on my chest piece. 

Double checking the gun on my back was firmly in place. I then looked at my new companions. Both of them looked armed to the teeth. Rose had two assault rifles on either side of the saddle she wore; they both had an identical design and colors. Both of the guns had a blue base color but then close to the barrel of the guns a golden open maw of a dragon was painted on it. While Midnight had on his saddle was a sniper rifle which was dark brown in color though some of the paint was chipped at places. 

He had no other gun on the other side of the saddle though in the saddlebags that hang at the neck had a few of the white apples which were grenades which I found out on my second day here. The guard by the door opened the large metal door in front of us. We all then exited Tenpony Tower. From there we started to head towards the outskirts of the city. As we walked the clouds above the city seemed to darken. Looks like it’s about to rain soon which would not help our visibility to see the area around us. 

Midnight noticed where I was looking and spoke. “You better get used to the rain. It's a constant for the Wasteland we get no other weather besides cloudy skies, wind, and rain. Thanks to those bucking fly birds.” Noticing his mistake he quickly turned to Rose. “No offense to you of course.” 

She simply waved a hoof at him. “No need to apologize the Pegasi up there are total cunts.” 

We then walked in silence for a couple of hours when Midnight broke the silence. He looked behind him at me and spoke. “How’s the power armor holding up?” 

I quickly looked at the meter of my power cores charge to see it ticking a quarter of the way to the red zone of the power meter. I then spoke. “I would say I got another hour or two before I run out and the armor shuts down on me. So please tell me are we close to this robotics store?” 

He simply nodded his head and pointed down the road. “The store should be just down this road if I remember correctly.” 

We walked down the road that led us to the very outskirts of the city and the closer we got to our destination less and less buildings appeared. Then a notification popped up on my hud reading. “Robronco Distribution and Supply Store.” The notification then disappeared from view and then I turned my head to the right to see a large building that has seen better days. The building was made out of steel but it looked rusted and worn. The building didn’t even have a door as it laid in the massive parking lot near the entrance of the building. 

There were shattered display windows where ponies of steel and wires laid out on the cold ground not moving an inch. There were a total of six of these robotic ponies laid out each with bullet holes in them or torn to pieces by explosives I had to guess by the scorch marks on the ground. The rest of the parking lot held nothing else of interest. Rose started scavenging what she could only to come up empty. “Looks like somepony else came through here and picked these pony robots clean of their parts and talismans.” 
    
I simply turned to face her. “Well it looks like we aren’t the only ones here so keep your head on a swivel.” With that we readied our weapons and entered the building only to be met with more destroyed pony robots and some robots that had three eyes and multiple limbs each with a dangerous weapon at the end. The welcome area was littered with bullet cases as well. All the robots were looted and gutted as well. There were three doors ahead of us, one on the left side of the wall as well as the right. 

There was a set of double doors ahead of us. We took the left side first which led to a massive office where destroyed computers and the bones of ponies lay scattered. There were also more robots but this time there was a pony who laid dead but this pony wore what I had to guess was pony power armor which was grey in color and had dents and scratches all over the armor. One of the lenses of the power armor was broken and when I looked at the eye of the pony only to see not an eye but a hollow eye socket. I quickly put the head back down to the floor. 

Midnight looked deep in thought before he spoke up. “Why in the world would the Steel Rangers be here?” He said this as he walked around the body. He then pointed at the helmet which had a massive exit hole destroying a portion of the helmet along with it. “Well it looks like this poor bastard got his brains blown out. By what I don’t know.” 

He then walked over to the back of armor where a purple glow emitted from a wheel that was on the back of ponies armor. He then pushed in on the wheel ejecting a purple glowing cylinder. “Well that’s one spark core now let’s see if we can find some more.” He picked it up and put it in his saddlebags. We then searched the right room finding more dead robots and three dead Steel Rangers. We picked up three more spark cores from their corpses. 

Two seemed fully charged, the third only half charged as it didn’t glow as brightly as the other ones did. We then entered through the double doors to enter a massive room that had assembly lines jutting from the walls which connected to the ones on the bottom floor of this somewhat large assembly area. Old dusty and rotten packages littered the floor and assembly lines. We then noticed more Steel Ranger corpses about five in total each one with massive enter and exit wounds. Only two spark core’s could be salvaged as the other three were completely destroyed. I looked across the room to see another set of double doors. 

I started to walk over there. I suddenly stopped when I heard gunfire and heavy metallic hoof beats. I quickly unslung my carbine and pointed it to the door. Rose took to the air and landed on a catwalk overlooking the room we were in. Midnight went back to where we entered the room from and took aim at the door at least eighty feet away from us. Then suddenly the door burst open and rushed in a very panicked unicorn mare that wore some red and black leather robes. Her mane color was a dark green that had a blue streak going through it. Her coat color was a dark blue. Lastly her eye color was a light green. 

She levitated in a green aura a combat shotgun. She just continued running yelling at us. “BY CELESTIA’S FAT FLANK RUN!” She quickly sped by me and made it to the other side of the room and left as if the hounds of Hell were chasing her. I didn’t get long to question what just happened as the door across the room along with a good section of the wall got destroyed as a massive robot crashed through it as if it was tissue paper. It looked like a tank as it rolled on four massive wheels which rotated to face us. 

Along with that it was armed with a minigun on one arm and a auto cannon on the other its head rotated and saw me a red visor of death looking down at me. You have got to be shitting me. It’s minigun started to rev up. I immediately ran for  the exit as did the others. The fire from the minigun nipped at our heels as we exited the room. The auto cannon opened up destroying the wooden doors. We hid behind sending us flying back. Midnight crashed through one of the display windows which made him land outside the building. 

Rose landed on top of the receptionist desk and slid to the floor. I hit the right wall hard sending stars dancing across my vision. I slowly got back back up with a groan of pain as my back flared with pain. Then the robot tank crashed through the wall it’s small head searching for targets. I took the carbine still in my hand, aimed and fired. The bullet just bounced off it’s small head. It’s gaze turned to me to which I gave the robot the middle finger and then threw open the door next to me and entered the room. 

I then rushed over to the dead bodies of the Steel Rangers. I searched them to see what weapons they had on them to spot an auto cannon that the third one had attached to his or her armor. Then I felt my arms and legs feel heavier. Then my hud started to flicker then it went out blinding me from the outside world. I with much difficulty took off my helmet dropping it down on the concrete floor. I then detached the auto cannon from the Steel Rangers armor. 


That's when my leg armor decided to lock up which made me fall over. Then the fucking robot decided he wanted to pay me a visit as it burst through the wall. I quickly grabbed the auto gun flipped around and aimed and pulled the trigger. Round after round hit the robot some rounds bounced off others went through. One went it’s small head, another hit the auto cannon which went down the gun's barrel and hit a shell which detonated it causing its right arm to blow completely off. The last round I sent went right through it’s chest plate. 

It then whipped the minigun around but as it started to rev its gun it stopped. Then I looked up to see it’s visor was no longer glowing. Then it fell over on one side with a loud thud which shook the ground a bit. It lay there motionless not moving a single inch. I then dropped the big gun I was holding and laughed. Take that you fucking useless bag of bolts ha haaaaa. 

then the rest of the armor locked up which stopped me from moving. Soon Rose walked into the room and looked at me laughing and then at the destroyed robot she soon joined in on the laughter. After our laughing fit was done she looked down at me. A small cut was on her forehead with a small line of blood going down her fur to her snout. She noticed me staring at her wound. “Oh this little cut is nothing. It’s not something that a healing bandage or potion can’t fix. I am more worried about you though, are you going to be alright?” 

I gave her a small smile. “Well my armor is locked up at the moment that’s what happens when the power is no longer going through the armor the armor locks up, so right now I think I need one of those spark cores.” At saying this she rushed out of the room and came back with Midnight who had small cuts on the left side of his mouth. As well as a small gash on one of his legs which was bleeding slowly. He then pulled out one of the spark cores out of his saddlebags and walked over to where I am laying. 

He then gave me a confused look. “So… um where I am supposed to put the spark core into?” 

I replied. “There is a port on the back of the armor which is protected by bulletproof glass which can be slid open to reveal the power core. Then simply remove the power core and put the spark core in, simple. Though since I can’t move right now you guys are going to have to roll me over. Think you can do that?” 

He simply huffed. “It insults me that you think we can’t move you. Though I will let it slide and prove you wrong.” So both Rose and Midnight moved to the left side of me and started to push only for me to move not even halfway before they had to stop pushing which unceremoniously made me land on my more than likely bruised back. 

I hissed in pain. “So about you guys being able to move me onto my back.” 

Midnight let out sigh. “Shut it Taylor all we need is another pony to help us.” He then looked towards the exit of the room. “I will go and see if that unicorn mare can help us or is willing to in the first place.” He then left the room searching for the unicorn mare in question. 

Which left me and rose in the room. She was looking at Midnight until he left the room and then turned to look at me. “So I guess you got injured since you had pain written on your face when you landed on your back.” 

I simply nodded. “Yeah my back is probably bruised somewhere on my back.” 

She winced at hearing that. “I will search for some medical supplies in the building and hopefully I find a healing potion or two which should fix it up. Though we best get you moving first so I will wait here for the time being.” 

I simply replied. “Thanks.”  The last thing I need right now is to be alone with my thoughts. A simple but familiar voice sounded in the back of my head. “You mean our thoughts or at least for this moment anyway.” 

I simply replied to the voice. “Luna is that you?” 

She was quick to respond. “Yes ‘tis it is I. I am simply observing what is going on through your perspective. Might I say you were very lucky with your shots.” 

I responded. “Yeah I was extremely lucky.” I then asked a question. “So, how is it up there in my mind? You don’t plan on taking it for yourself do you?” 

There was silence for a moment before she laughed. “By the moon no! Though I will say this when next we talk in the dreamscape I have many questions for you.” 

I mentally rolled my eyes. “Oh boy this should be fun.” I sarcastically said. 

She huffed. “You sound like talking about your memories is like pulling teeth.” 

I responded. “It might as well be. Look Luna I know I may come off as interesting but to talk of my past is… hard for me at times. So could we not talk of it.” 

She took a moment to answer. “I have seen what my home has become and was unable to help the ponies below or above in the sky’s for two hundred years. If you show weakness this Wasteland will destroy you. I have seen it done far too many times. So I will be here to help you face your past and hopefully overcome it. If you can accept my help that is.” 

I bit my bottom lip and thought about it. “I… accept Luna now could you leave me? I just need to be alone mentally at the moment.” 

She quickly responded. “Of course Taylor see you soon goodbye.” With that the pressure in the back of my head ceased and I was alone with my thoughts. Man this sure is some shit I got myself into. On one hand I have two god-like beings taking an interest in me. Then I have two fast made friends helping me just to do some good. Then lastly I have the fact that I must trust Discord to keep his word that he has a way to bring humanity here. 

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of hoof steps approaching. I quickly turned my head to the left to see Rose sitting to the left of me wrapping a healing bandage over the cut on her forehead. How they hold things with their hooves I will never know. Just as she finished doing that she turned to look at a large hole that once held the door to enter/exit the room. I quickly turned my head to look where she was looking to see Midnight and the unicorn mare enter the room. The unicorn stopped when she saw the smoking carcass of the large robot then looked at me. 

She hesitated to move more as she seemed to be waging a mental battle with herself. She then shook her head and followed Midnight over to the left side of me where she took a seat next to Midnight. Midnight then pointed a hoof at the mare and then looked at Rose and me. “This mare's name is Scribe Evergreen of The Steel Rangers and has agreed to help us for the time being.” He then spoke again. “Now then everypony let’s flip our friend here, shall we?” 

Both Rose and Evergreen nodded. They then flipped me around so that I can now face the ground. Then I felt hooves touch my back and I heard the ejection of the power core. Then I felt as the spark core was inserted into my power armor and I felt as my armor burst back to life. Also I felt a strange fire rage in my stomach for a few moments before it disappeared making me feel full as though I ate a large meal. I then quickly got back to my feet and picked up my helmet and put it on. I then quickly noticed that my hud color which was once amber was a light purple along with a full meter of power. 


I then turned around to face Midnight and them. Rose and Midnight looked pleased while Evergreen was rubbing one of her front hooves and wore a sad expression. I then pointed at her. “Thanks for the help. I know this is probably a dumb question, but why the long face?” 

She seemed a bit shocked when I spoke to her, but after a few tense seconds answered. “No need to thank me I was just returning the favor for you guys destroying that mark four sentinel. Though can I ask you something?” 

I replied. “Sure ask away.” 

Evergreen then stopped rubbing her hoof and looked up at small tears forming at the edge of her light green eyes. “I know we just met, but I must ask for your assistance. Could you help me collect the bodies of my fallen squadmates and help me bury them. Also to hide their armor and weapons. I know you guys took the spark cores but they won’t be much use to their owners anyway. Just please help me with this and we can go our separate ways.” 

I felt like I just got hit by a train. A wave of emotions fell over me. The pain of losing a fellow comrade, a man who has your back, and a friend who stands with you against the horrors of war. A pain I have felt far too many times. I took off my helmet and wrapped my arm around it holding it to my side. I then rested my right hand on Evergreens shoulder and looked right into her eyes. “It would be my honor to help put to rest your friends and comrades.” 

Evergreens eyes widened with surprise. Her face then softened. She took one of her hooves and rested it on my arm. Her head lowered and tears started to fall on the concrete floor below. “Th-Thank y-you s-so mu-much.” After a few moments of silence we got to work. 

We all went around using the spark cores we got from the fallen rangers to open their armor and collect their bodies. Once we collected their bodies we ejected the spark cores out of their armor and collected them again. From there we placed their bodies in the welcome area of the building. We found a utility’s closet which had four rusty shovels. We took them and laid them out on the receptionist desk. From there we used the wooden desks and salvaged the wood needed to make the crosses. 

We sadly could not make the coffins for the dead Rangers all we could do was dig their graves and put their bare bodies in the ground. Before we could start digging the graves I felt someone poking my armor. I looked down to see Evergreen waving her hoof to follow her. I followed her back into the room we had yet to enter before we were attacked by that sentinel. The room itself was another massive assembly line just like the last one, but at the middle rested another Steel Ranger. By the Steel Ranger lay in smoking heaps two other sentinels. 

Though the armor that this ranger wore was much more detailed. It had at the helmet red paint markings of flame cascading down to a toothy smile of red teeth making it look like the helmet more intimidating. The rest of the armor was the same grey like the others. Evergreen simply stood over the body and opened the armor and pulled the white mane blue stallion out of the armor. She then took out the spark core and handed it to me which I took from her shaking grasp. 

She then looked down at the stallion and spoke. “This was our squad leader Paladin Steelheart. I have been in his squad for ten years. The only reason why I am still alive is because he bought me time to escape from the sentinels. In doing so it cost him his life. I… let’s just get him to the others. help me carry him.” 

With that I helped lift and carry Steelheart to the other bodies of the fallen rangers. Then from there we went outside the building to a darkened and cloudy Wasteland. We then found by the road leading out of Manehattan and towards the Hoofington Wasteland a large hill with a large oak tree on top of it. The tree was barren of leaves and looked dead, but we got up the hill and started digging. As we dug the graves it started pouring rain down on us. Which made the task of digging a bit more difficult as dirt slowly turned to mud and the graves started to slowly fill with water. 

As we were digging the last grave together I noticed that Evergreen was struggling to continue digging as tears started running down her face along with the rain. Then just as I noticed her slowing down she wiped away her tears and she angrily started to dig faster even as more tears ran down her face. We soon finished the last grave and started lugging and placing each body in a grave. Which was not easy since the rain started to make the steep incline up the hill slippery which nearly made us drop a body or two. We then filled each grave with the muddy dirt piled by each grave. Once that was done Midnight, Rose, and I placed a cross at the head of each grave. 

Then I started to hear crying over the sound of the raging storm that pelted us. I looked over to see Evergreen was crying, her head lowered as tears hit the already wet ground. I looked at both Midnight and Rose giving concerned and saddened looks at Evergreen they then looked at me I then spoke. “Go back to the Robronco store and rest there I will handle this.” They looked at me and hesitated but nodded their heads and left sprinting down the hill and back towards the city. I then walked over and knelt down to the crying form of Evergreen and put my hand on the back of her and started rubbing it trying to calm her down. 

All that did was make her cry more. She suddenly whipped her head up to the storm clouds above and wailed and screamed at the heavens above. After ten minutes doing this her voice started to die and she slowly started to calm down. Though she still cried more softly this time. I then picked her up and held her as best I could in my arms. She did not protest or try to get out of my arms. 

She just started to softly cry into my chest plate as I went down the hill and into the city. I sent a silent prayer to whatever god belonged to this world. To whatever god is listening please send those souls whose bodies died today, and send them to the highest heaven. So that they are not forced to walk another moment in this horrid Wasteland. For that would be the cruelest punishment only that the worst of the worst should face. I continued to walk through the city outskirts until I found the Robronco Store. 

I entered the decaying building to see Midnight and Rose talking with one another. At the noise of heavy footsteps they turned to see me worry on their faces. I simply nodded my head towards them and walked by them. I looked down to see that Evergreen had fallen asleep both Midnight and Rose noticed it too and stayed quiet. I then found a wall not destroyed by the sentinel and slid down it and sat down. 

Ignoring the pain flaring up my back I got as comfortable as I could and fell asleep. One single thought crossed my mind as I fell to the welcome embrace of sleep. This place is hell and by everything holy I hope it gets better before it gets worse.